
How I Create Weekly Meal Plans (and stick to them!)
Creating a weekly meal plan is a great way to save time, money, and stress. It can help you stay organized and make sure you’re eating healthy meals. But it can be hard to stick to a meal plan, especially if you’re not used to it. Here are some tips on how I create and stick to my weekly meal plans.
Step 1: Make a List of Meals
The first step in creating a weekly meal plan is to make a list of meals you want to make. Think about what you like to eat and what you have time to make. You can also look online for recipes or meal ideas. Make sure to include a variety of meals so you don’t get bored.
Step 2: Make a Grocery List
Once you have a list of meals, make a grocery list of all the ingredients you need. This will help you save time and money when you go shopping. Make sure to check your pantry and fridge to see what you already have so you don’t buy things you don’t need.
Step 3: Plan Your Meals
Now that you have a list of meals and a grocery list, it’s time to plan your meals. Start by deciding which meals you want to make each day. You can also plan for leftovers so you don’t have to cook every day. Make sure to include snacks and drinks in your plan as well.
Step 4: Shop and Prep
Once you have your meal plan, it’s time to go shopping. Make sure to stick to your grocery list so you don’t overspend. When you get home, take some time to prep your meals. This can include washing and chopping vegetables, marinating meats, or pre-cooking grains. This will save you time during the week.
Step 5: Stick to Your Plan
The last step is to stick to your plan. This can be the hardest part, especially if you’re used to eating out or ordering takeout. But if you plan ahead and have all the ingredients you need, it will be easier to stick to your meal plan.
FAQs
Q: How often should I make a meal plan?
A: It’s up to you, but I recommend making a meal plan at least once a week. This will help you stay organized and make sure you’re eating healthy meals.
Q: What if I don’t have time to cook?
A: If you don’t have time to cook, you can look for quick and easy recipes or meal ideas. You can also look for pre-made meals that you can heat up quickly.
Q: What if I don’t like the meals I planned?
A: If you don’t like the meals you planned, you can always switch them out for something else. Just make sure to adjust your grocery list accordingly.
What if my brain can look at ingredients and just goes blank? I’ve never been able to come up with an idea of what to eat.
Thank you for the template!! Makes a lot of sense now.
0 dollar is everyone's favorite cost .
Fussy toddlers sucks up all my money on wasted foods and trying different foods and recipes trying to find 1 she likes
Yes, menu planning is important, but it's frustrating to have to think every week and make a list. There is a book called Slob Sisters Catching Up in the Kitchen which provides a six-week plan to list enough menus for a year and all the ingredients you need. Their grocery list is created once with room for new items as well as blanks to list your errands. Look at the sale ads, choose your menus, and mark your list. Then off to the store or order online and you are ready to go.
Now I am cooking for one, so my meatloaf is cut into 5 or 6 servings put in my plastic containers and some go into the freezer, so I don't have to eat meatloaf all week. Repeat this idea with a couple of dinners and I'm ready for a month.
Being originally from Western Mass I love Big Y but now that I live in Eastern Mass and don’t have easy access to Big Y i find that I generally over pay for food and then it doesn’t help.
Probably the best, simplest meal planning video out there. Most of them leave me overwhelmed with all the steps…this just looks so easy to do. Definitely helped relieve my overwhelm. LOL! 😆 Thank you!
Do you have sample weekly plans we can just use? I can’t even think of 5 recipes!
Concise, funny, and helpful! Always appreciated!
Just discovered your channel today ! I downloaded the free printable ! Thank you !
I was sold as soon as I saw your inventory sheet. Lol
I have a 9"x12" magnetic-backed dry erase board on my fridge. Whenever I run out of something, I mark it on the board. Before I go food shopping (or before I meal-plan), I take a phone-photo to reference.
Before smart phones, before cellphones, I used to have a chalkboard hung up in the kitchen to mark foods as I ran out or to list things I wanted to get. Technology evolves, but need is a constant.
Great ideas!!!
One of my favorite phrases is 'It was my favorite price… free'. Use it a lot with my clothes and various things around the house.
Love love love your content! Keep it up girl!
I love the ingredient sharing and using the calendar also as a guide for prep. Cooking for me previously has been a nightmare. So happy I found this video. It has helped me so much with less stress and have reduced eating junk foods. Thankyou!!!
Another way to make sure you don't make the mistake of buying something you already have … take pictures of your pantry(s) refrigerator(s) and freezer(s) the day before or the morning of shopping – when in doubt while shopping…just pull out your phone and look at the pictures! Works like a charm!!
Talking to much bullshit keep it short sweet and simple it will be far more effective TO MUCH TALKING
Thanks very much. Many pertinent points that I will check out. My concerns aren’t so much about costs at all, as they are not having given enough (or any!) thought re evening meals. This is HIGHly inconvenient. Writing meals on the calendar doesn’t necessarily motivate me. Perhaps, I need to spice up my ingredients + recipes…
With much respect, please, please, PLEASE DO NOT CHOP OFF YOUR HEAD. Video editors will Not be pleased. Please and thanks🙏🏽. Thanks again! Cheers.
I remember when you first had miles! Honestly your channel is so truly helpful and you have a great personality! I just love you so much and you deserve all the happiness and success that comes your way! We love you!! ❤️
Do you plan in meals with leftovers?
I have a clipboard I place on the front of my coffee cabinet so I am always aware of what I have it also has my weekly grocery list. It also has my weekly meal plan. I prep on Sundays and shop Saturdays.
0$= my favorite cost 👍
meal planning has changed my life! i save so much time and money
Thanks for the help,
The problem with bulk buying is that I get so bored of eating the same thing.