Meal planning is a boring topic. It makes me think of structured suburban moms with their full calendars that have to ‘put their face on’ before going to the store.
Not the hip woman without kids that I am. (LOL, I am so far from hip, I could barely type that).
When I started meal planning a few years ago, I noticed how it made my life so much easier. I sit down with a pad of paper, take a look at what is leftover in my cabinets and fridge, and start planning.
It has freed up so much brain space for me. And it can work for you too.
It will save you time at the grocery store.
I don’t wander around the grocery store looking for what tickles my fancy when grocery shopping. I get in, get my stuff, and get out. When you know precisely what you are cooking for the week and have it all written down, it makes trips to the store so much faster.
You might be one of those people that likes to walk up and down the produce section looking for the perfect carrot. I would much rather spend my time reading.
You will stop wasting so much food.
There is nothing worse than buying a bunch of fruit and veggies only to have it rotting away before you get to use it. I grew up pretty scrappy, and there was nothing my mom hated more than wasting food. Every time I need to throw something out (or compost) something just because of my lack of planning, I can feel my mom’s disapproving gaze.
When I started planning out my meals, I was pretty simply able to use up leftover food. I can make a roast chicken on Monday and use the leftover chicken in burrito bowls later on in the week. I also make veggies as sides and eat them twice.
You will save money.
With a bit of forethought and planning, you can choose meals for the week that the ingredients are on sale. It may just be saving you a few bucks on your grocery list, but over months and years it can add up.
Have meals planned out and a list in hand will also help you from buying things at the store that you don’t need.
You will be more intentional about the food that you eat.
If you are following a special diet or trying to lose weight, meal planning is critical. Without a plan, you can easily be stuck doing a Whole 30 with only carbs in your cabinet.
I was able to lose almost 30 pounds by planning out my meals, so I didn’t stress eat a whole pizza because I had nothing else in the house to eat.
Meal planning doesn’t have to be a drag. Sitting down one evening with a pad of paper, and your Pinterest boards can be an easy way to simplify your week. Try it for a week or two.
It can save you time, money, and food waste!
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