Weekly Meal Planning can help you eat healthier and save money. Follow these simples steps to create your healthy weekly meal plan.
One of my goals for this year was to do better with meal planning. I think it has been one of my husband's favorite goals because it means that most nights when he gets home dinner is ready or being prepared. Weekly meal planning has been great for us from everything from our budget, health and less food waste. I have put together my favorite tips for you to be successful with your weekly meal planning.
Weekly Meal Planning
Pick a Day
It is best to pick a day to do your weekly meal planning. We generally do our meal planning on Sundays because that is the day we go to the grocery store. First, we sit down together and review our calendars. Our goal is to determine if there are nights that we will be either out of the house for meetings or parties. We also pick a night to do a family date night. Based on our calendar I plan out our meals. If there are days I know I will be out of the house all day I try to do a crock pot meal or left overs.
Meal Plan Before Shopping
Finalize all your meals before you head to the grocery store. This will allow you to buy only the ingredients you need.
Prep Ahead of Time
When you get home from the grocery store, or in my case when my husband gets home, we get started prepping everything we can. We wash all the fruits and vegetables. We pick fruits and vegetables that we want to have ready for lunch or snacks and we pack them in single serving bags like in our Snack Organization Ideas post.
Be Flexible
Even with all the planning life may throw you a curve ball. Meetings run late, you forget to defrost something, or you just don't feel like cooking. For these nights I have my refrigerator and freezer stocked with meals that you can prep quickly.
Pin for Later: Weekly Meal Planning 
Marta RIvera says
Meal planning is a definite game-changer, especially as the kiddos head back to school.
Cristy says
I totally agree!
Theresa | Bridesmaids Confession says
I make the same meals most weeks and I certainly need to get out of my rut.
Cristy says
Meal planning is a great way to change things up.
Lee says
I need to be better at meal planning! I purchase items to make meals, but with a picky husband sometimes those items go in the freezer for another time. I wonder if I put a menu together if he would be more open to what we have in the house!
Cristy says
I had the same issue. sitting down with my husband to plan our meals has really helped us. Hope it works for you too.
Rai says
Yes! You always have to have a back up, because curve balls always get thrown at us.
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Cristy says
My thoughts exactly!
Cristy says
My thoughts exactly
Jenni LeBaron says
Meal-planning is essential. It helps us stay in budget, and healthy for the week!
Cristy says
Same with us.