Whether your goal is to stick to a diet plan or simply make mealtime less stressful, a rotating meal calendar can help. Meal calendars take a little thought and planning to get off the ground, but once established, they provide a comforting routine. You can begin family traditions, such as seafood Fridays or pancake breakfast Sundays. The calendar can rotate on a weekly or monthly basis, and it has the added benefit of simplifying grocery-store outings because you will always know precisely what you need.
Step 1
Make a list of your favorite foods and ingredients, ensuring that each meal of the day is adequately represented. For breakfast, think about convenience and efficiency. Dinner meals should allow for more variety and sophistication.
Step 2
Transfer the single list to three separate lists representing breakfast, lunch and dinner. Add or remove foods as necessary. Incorporate your favorite ingredients into new recipes. For example, cilantro and citrus baked together with fish create a Mediterranean feast. Add vegetables to a lasagna to boost nutritional value.
Step 3
Open a blank calendar template on a word-processor program. Using (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch and (D) for dinner, insert meals into the calendar slots.
Step 4
Print the calendar when you've finished and save a copy on your computer. When you reach the end of the calendar, print a new one.
Step 5
Plan grocery trips based upon the meal calendar rather than whims. Select one day each week to stock the refrigerator and pantry for the upcoming days.
Tips and Warnings
- Serve a balanced diet with your meal calendar. Include fruits, vegetable and whole grains as much as possible. Reduce the amount of saturated fats, red meats and junk food. If you're planning meals for a family, make the process democratic. Ask family members to put their favorite meals on the list and help craft the schedule. As you fill in the calendar, consider your work schedule. Don't attempt an overly ambitious meal in the middle of your workweek. Revise the meal calendar as you go along.
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