Don't look at meal planning as another chore to tend to. Think of it instead as time well spent making sure you and your family have the ingredients you need to make quick and healthy meals within your busy schedule. If you plan carefully, you can have simple meals on nights when time is tight and save the more elaborate dinners for nights when everyone is home and able to help out in the kitchen.
Saving Time
Planning meals means you can create a grocery list ahead of time and spend less time shopping --- and more time doing the things you enjoy. Write your weekly meal plan and grocery list at the same time so you are sure to include everything you need to buy on your list. Don't forget to check on infrequent purchases such as seasonings and condiments before you head to the store. Having a shopping list saves time while you shop because you know exactly what you need and won't waste time trying to recall what you needed to buy. One time-saving measure, suggested by the Iowa State University Extension, is to write your list in the order in which items are stocked in the grocery store. This way you won't have to run back to aisle 1 when you are already in aisle 9.
Saving Money
Meal planning can be a great way to save money on your food budget, in part because having the ingredients to prepare meals available ahead of time will prevent the need to pick up take-out or go through the drive-through on a busy night. Consulting sales fliers while you plan can help you make the best of what's on sale for the week, and you can stretch your food dollar even further by looking for coupons for items on your list before you head out to shop. One money-saving measure suggested by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is to shop after a meal or snack so you aren't hungry at the store. You'll be less likely to buy items on impulse and more likely to stick to your list and budget.
Eating Better
Meal planning will enable you to work seasonal fruits and vegetables into your family's meals and snacks and have those fresh ingredients readily available when a family member is hungry. Planning ahead also enables you to have what you need on hand to make a quick, healthy meal instead of resorting to over-processed convenience foods or unhealthy take-out meals. The Let's Move! website suggests including kids in meal planning so they can offer their own ideas for healthy meals; the site adds that kids are more willing to try new foods if they have a hand in choosing them.
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