How Meal Planning makes Healthy Living easier

Written by: Abolarin Olamidayo 

Do you know how meal planning can help your overall development? If not, you have come to the right place.

It is usually bothersome when you have to think of what meal to make for your family every now and then, Meal planning can be a lifesaver when trying to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Instead of always trying to impulsively cook whatever is available, meal planning is known to save you a lot of time, and money and even help you choose healthier foods. Plus, the simple act of meal planning has been shown to result in people eating more fruit and vegetables and a greater variety of foods overall.

What is meal planning?

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This is simply the process of planning your meal ahead of time, it can be weekly or monthly. It tends to save you from the dreaded question “What’s for dinner?”

One thing I love most about meal planning is that it gives you time to carefully craft out a wholesome meal for your family, you get to choose what’s best for them added with a sprinkle of love. Meal planning is an essential tool in a home.

Benefits of meal planning to your overall development

Physical Development

• Eating healthy

Taking out time to plan your meals, you usually consume more nutrient-dense food that offers many health benefits rather than pre-processed fast food to your body. 

• Weight management

By planning meals ahead of time, you can make healthier choices, control portions and avoid overeating. It allows you to see how much you’re actually eating.

Financial accountability

• Saves money

This is a very important aspect for every family and if you agree with me, saving money is what we all try to do. meal planning also involves buying items in bulk, which can be a huge money saver. Sticking to what’s on the list also avoids impulse buying at the grocery store.

• Avoids food wastage

Meal planning allows you to choose healthy and balanced meals, making it easier to meet your daily nutritional requirements and maintain a healthy diet. When every food has a purpose, you won’t have to worry about items in your fridge going to waste.

Increases Productivity

• Saves time

There is a saying that goes like this ‘Time is life, waste your time and waste your life, manage your time and manage your life’. You do not realize that you waste plenty of time when you think of what to cook or when you stand in front of the refrigerator deciding what to cook.

• Reduce stress

You will reduce the time you spend worrying about what to prepare and then preparing the meal.

Easy steps to meal planning

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Preparations

Once a week, make a menu for all the meals that include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which you will serve for the coming week. You can try to rotate the recipes you love. You can sprinkle them into your meal plan.

Review each of the recipes and list all the items you need to purchase at the store. Be sure to include the vegetables and side dishes that compliment your meals. Embrace whole meals as well.

Your goal is to shop only once a week, so organization is the key to your success.

Get help 

If you have kids, they can assist with meal preparations. There are so many easy things that kids can do to make cooking the actual dinner run smoother for the chef! But remember to make it fun. No one likes a grouchy chef.

Have a Shopping Listening

Have a weekly shopping list and stick to it. This is where you save money. Impulse buying is in the past. Take your coupons and buy the store brand when you can to save even more.

Your shopping time will be shorter because now you are organized. You know what you want and where to find it. No more wandering around thinking, “What can we have for dinner tonight?” for you! You have planned an entire week’s worth of meals. You are in and you are out – fast.

Refer to our post on “How to save money on food items shopping” to read in detail how to prepare a meal plan.

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