Meal Planning and Why It Works!
The popularity of meal planning has grown. There are many resources to tap into as you begin to think: Does this work for me?
For many of us, thinking about what to prepare for dinner each night is time-consuming and exhausting.
Planning, prepping, and cooking several day’s worth of food ahead of time can be done if you plan accordingly.
The Right Containers:
To find the proper containers, check out Amazon.com, The Container Store, Target, Walmart, and local grocery stores.
You can find disposable, plastic, or glass containers.
Choose what works best for you and your family.
Plan the Meals:
Choose food that can be easily made and meets the dietary needs of what your family likes to eat.
Keep it simple, but choose a variety of items. You can select 1-2 proteins, grains, fruits, and vegetables that you can mix and match to make it more appealing for yourself and your family.
Some suggested proteins include fish, poultry, meat, beans, and tofu.
Some suggested grains are rice, quinoa, or wheat pasta.
Combine the protein and grain with vegetables and fruits.
Consider supplementing your meal prep with healthy snacks such as nuts and yogurt.
Plan easy-to-make breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, including stir-fries, one-pot meals, sheet pan meals, salads, and soups that can be easily reheated.
On Saturday or Sunday, sit down and plan meals for the week. This process includes selecting the ideal meals for the week and deciding what items you need from the grocery store, including spices and other necessary ingredients.
Why does it work?
Portion Control: Controlling what you make, store, and serve helps to prevent overeating and is one of the most significant benefits of meal planning.
Less Waste and Cost Effective: When planning meals and grocery shopping, you are more organized and avoid over-buying foods you do not need. When you eat at home, you avoid additional costs from restaurant meals and service.
Time Saver: When you reheat a prepared meal, you don’t have to spend time prepping, cooking, and cleaning up after a meal each day, allowing you time for other duties and activities.
Healthy Upside. Meal prepping can help with weight loss, diabetes control, and eating heart-healthy nutritious meals. When you find the time to make a healthy meal for yourself or your family, you avoid fast food or less nutritious meals.
Help With Finding Recipes:
The following websites are excellent resources to help with finding recipes to include in your meal planning.
American Diabetes Association Meal Planning
American Heart Association Meal Planning
Another option is to use ChatGPT. Download the free app, Then ask a question, and it generates an answer. Type in your request: “Help me find meals for a week.” It will help guide you by asking for any dietary restrictions. You will be surprised how easy it is to use.