5 Ways to Make Meal Planning Easier

I often hear “I know what to do I just need to make time to do it.” It is true, meal planning is where the rubber meets the road; where our dietary intentions become a reality. It certainly does take some effort to build up a routine around meal planning. You could say it’s a bit like flossing your teeth. When you first started the habit, it was a bit of a pain. But eventually you didn’t think about it and you started to feel good about having really healthy teeth and gums. Meal planning is a bit more complicated habit to build for many reasons. Perhaps the biggest reason is that we aren’t realistic about what we’re really capable of. We might compare ourselves to previous generations. Our parents and grandparents meal planned in a way that worked with their lives – and often this is not the life we are living. We have much more on our plates with work, long commutes, busy schedules, etc. We live in a society that is time-starved and we often come home from work starved with no idea of what we’re having for dinner. Maybe you’re ready to try some new strategies to create or refine a more realistic meal planning routine. Here are some thoughts on working smarter not harder:
1. Consider themed nights.
Taco Tuesday, Soup Sunday, Meatless Monday. This will help you narrow down your choices. I think we’re often overwhelmed with all of the recipes and ingredients out there and we just need a simple idea.
2. Check out the frozen aisle at Trader Joe’s.
Stock up on frozen brown rice, frozen precooked shrimp, frozen turkey meatballs, frozen vegetable blends (they have some unique ones). You can also find some great quick and easy frozen meal-in-one options for those nights when you need dinner right now. Great value at TJs and there are no additives, preservatives, or GMOs in any product.
3. Consider meal and/or ingredient delivery.
Amazon Fresh for grocery delivery if it's in your area. Try Blue Apron for three meals worth of ingredients delivered weekly. Google "meal delivery" to see what other options may be in your area.
4. Involve the family.
Go out to dinner with your family one night a week and plan meals for the week together. Stop by the grocery store on the way home. Perhaps your kids are old enough to make tacos or fajitas one night of the week. You certainly don’t need to take on the burden of meal planning alone.
5. Use online tools and apps.
There are some great recipe and meal planning apps on your phone. Eating Well’s “Healthy in a Hurry” is free. So is “Food on the Table” and “Pepper Plate.” What I like most about the apps is the ability to scroll through recipes and generate your shopping list while you’re parked in front of the grocery store.

Kathryn Reed, MS, Certified Nutritionist