I don’t know about you, but after a long day of work the last thing I want to do is try to plan and make dinner! Trying to grocery shop, take inventory, cook and plan meals can all seem daunting. The good news is that with a proper plan in place, it can all feel effortless! Having a proper plan in place can also be better for your waistline and wallet because it allows you to plan nutritious meals ahead of time so you skip the last minute take out of drive though.
With a little planning in place, mealtime during the week can be a breeze (and nourishing too!)!
1. Plan a menu and plan ahead
- This may seem obvious but it’s essential to make the week seem effortless! You can either spend a little time jotting your menu down on a certain day of the week or plan a little throughout the week.
- It’s a good idea to keep both a shopping list and menu with the days of the week somewhere in your kitchen, either on the fridge or in a drawer. It’s so much easier to remember things you need when you write it down right away! One less thing you have to worry about and remember.
2. Have staple meals ready to go as a backup meal option
- We all know that things can come up during the week and it’s important to have options as backups. You can also rotate these staples from week to week for easy meal planning.
3. Choose balanced and nourishing meals and snacks
- Choosing nourishing meals and snacks will help you feel energized throughout the week. You are what you eat! It’s a good idea to choose a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables to consume throughout the week so you get the variety of vitamins and minerals your body needs. Be sure to include a fruit or a vegetable, carbohydrate/ grain, and a protein at each meal and at least two of these at each snack.
4. Stock your pantry with plenty of nourishing options
- Have things like fruit, pre-cut vegetables, nuts, peanut butter, whole grain chips, etc ready to go. This will make it a lot easier to choose a nutritious option on the go. This will also keep your energy levels in check to help you tackle anything that may come up throughout the day.
