
How to Meal Plan Like a Pro: The Hacks You Need to Know!
Meal planning 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 overwhelming to figure out where to start. Here are some hacks to help you meal plan like a pro.
1. Start with a Grocery List
The first step to meal planning is to make a grocery list. Start by writing down all the ingredients you need for the meals you plan to make. This will help you stay organized and make sure you don’t forget anything. You can also use a grocery list app to help you keep track of what you need.
2. Plan for Variety
When you’re meal planning, it’s important to plan for variety. This means planning meals that include different types of food, such as proteins, vegetables, and grains. This will help you get all the nutrients you need and make sure you don’t get bored with your meals.
3. Make a Meal Plan
Once you have your grocery list, it’s time to make a meal plan. Start by writing down the meals you plan to make for the week. This will help you stay organized and make sure you don’t forget any meals. You can also use a meal planning app to help you keep track of your meals.
4. Prep Ahead of Time
Meal prepping is a great way to save time and make sure you have healthy meals ready to go. Start by prepping ingredients ahead of time, such as chopping vegetables or marinating proteins. This will make it easier to put together meals during the week. You can also make meals ahead of time and freeze them for later.
5. Use Leftovers
Leftovers are a great way to save time and money. When you’re meal planning, plan to use leftovers for at least one meal during the week. This will help you save time and money, and it’s a great way to use up food that would otherwise go to waste.
6. Get Creative
Meal planning doesn’t have to be boring. Get creative and try new recipes or mix up your ingredients. This will help you stay motivated and make sure you don’t get bored with your meals.
7. Make it Fun
Meal planning can be fun if you make it a family activity. Involve your family in the process and let them help you plan meals and make grocery lists. This will make it more enjoyable and help you stay organized.
FAQs
Q: What is meal planning?
A: Meal planning is the process of planning out meals for the week. This includes making a grocery list, planning meals, prepping ingredients, and using leftovers.
Q: How can I save time with meal planning?
A: Meal prepping is a great way to save time. Start by prepping ingredients ahead of time, such as chopping vegetables or marinating proteins. You can also make meals ahead of time and freeze them for later.
Q: How can I make meal planning fun?
A: Make meal planning a family activity. Involve your family in the process and let them help you plan meals and make grocery lists. This will make it more enjoyable and help you stay organized.
✨ Join me in the Meal Planning Freedom classroom here ($15 discount!): https://www.jenchapin.net/offers/APFY2ub6
The Paprika app was the ultimate game changer for planning meals and generating a grocery list. It has also replaced my recipe box and most books. 100% customizable, user friendly, and I also use it when cooking.
Love your dogs.
So helpful!!
❤
Thank You 💕MAY GOD BLESS YOU & EVERYONE IN JESUS NAME AMEN 💕🙏
I absolutely love the way Murphy stands there looking at the camera 😂🥰 I want to kiss his gorgeous face!! X
Did you already announce the meal planner winners who signed up for the course? Thanks!
This is such great information thank you.
I wish I had watched this sooner! signed up as soon as I knew it was out there…lol So excited!
Found you from Frugal Fit Mom! So glad I did!
Congrats on your course!
Thank you for offering this course! I am still watching you and love learning from you and so excited to have a dedicated course as I need the kick to get started again with a structured meal planning course. Love you girl!
Awwww Murphy ❤
This was a fantastic video, thank you. The course sounds awesome too!
These are great tips! I love your outfit and jewelry as well. You look very put together. 😄
My favorite night of the week is “Fend for your self Friday”
What paper (non meal) planner do you use?
Meal planning is life changing. Your meal planning videos encourage me to do so!
Super pretty today!
Hi Jen, my main problem with meal planning is that when the day comes I don't feel like eating that anymore. Do you have any ideas? I usually have everything ready, I start very good Monday and Tuesday and then everything falls apart 🙃
We do "theme nights" for some days. It does help with planning, but we started it because my son with autism needed the routine. We have 4 kids and both work full-time, though I do work from home, which helps.
Mondays – Doesn't have a theme, but I usually make something in the crockpot or something really easy because they're busy days for me. I haven't thought of a clever name for it yet. Lol. Tomorrow, I'm making a roast with vegetables kit that was on sale at Walmart with some Walmart bakery croissants.
Tuesdays – "Taco Tuesday" (tacos, taco soup, quesadillas, nachos, taco salad, or something similar). For this coming Tuesday, I've planned taco soup with Fritos. I made chicken quesadillas last week with chips and salsa on the side.
Wednesdays – It doesn't have a set theme yet. We consider it a random night because it could be anything, but I do make breakfast this night a lot when I can't otherwise figure it out. I might steal your "waffle Wednesday" theme. Lol.
Thursdays – "spaghetti Thursday" (some kind of pasta, like spaghetti, ravioli, Alfredo, hamburger helper, even chicken noodle soup, etc.) This Thursday, I'm making a frozen lasagna and garlic bread because it's our anniversary and I won't want to really cook. We're going away the following weekend and can go out then.
Friday – "fast food Friday" (some kind of takeout, it's my day off from cooking dinner).
Saturday – "pizza Saturday". No alliteration there. Lol.
Sunday – sort of themed. I usually do a traditional-ish Sunday dinner type thing (a ham, roast, rotisserie chicken, chicken and dumplings, or something similar) or "sandwich Sunday" or "soup Sunday". Today, I'm making grilled ham and cheese on brioche bread.
Okay Murphy standing there watching you from behind cracked me up😂😂 congrats on launching your course!!
I try to meal plan but my kids are very picky. They will only eat certain things.
Do not apologize for the dogs, they are wonderful!
I recommend She’s In Her Apron’s planner! Every month she has a spread to take your inventory and write meal ideas based on what you already have
I wish I could afford the class.
How long do we get access to the class once we sign up?
Video brought to you by me!! Lol
I love to batch cook while switching the meat from week to week. Maybe make a beef casserole, taco meat and spaghetti one week. Next week, chicken fajitas, a chicken and veggie soup, and crock pot meal.
How exciting!!! Love this 😍😍
I signed up right away!! How cool!! Congratulations!!! I'm so excited!!!
I like to do a monthly meal plan, by the way. Doing weekly has made it way too easy to deviate than monthly. I don't adhere to it 100% (I move meals around or we eat out instead sometimes), but it's been easier to stick to that than a weekly one.
Excited for this course i know you’ve been wanting to create this for a very long time. I struggle sooooooo much with eating out.
Hey Jen, I‘m a 19 year old girl from Munich, Germany and just bought your course. I hope it helps me even more to meal prep and prepare myself to plan out the right meals for my apprenticeship👍☺️
Just joined. I need this!!!
👏🏻 👏🏻 a meal planning course!! Look at you goooo!! 🎉