Using a meal plan can make your life easier in many ways. It can help you avoid decision fatigue, keep you from buying more food than you need, and save you time and money. Plus, it can also help you try new foods and spend less time thinking about what to eat. In this post, we’ll explore the importance of meal planning and its many benefits in more detail:
Saving Time
When you meal plan in advance, you spend less time thinking through the week. You spend less time staring at the fridge, there are fewer arguments about what to eat, and fewer last-minute trips to the grocery store. If you can buy in bulk and batch cook, then you can even freeze those leftovers for another day, which saves you a whole evening of cooking on those nights when you’re busy.
Clearly, meal planning creates less anxiety and stress, which leads to more free time for creativity, work, and play, not to mention more time to be with family and friends.
Saving Money
You’re less likely to eat out if you have meals planned and your grocery list ready, so you can just stop on the way home and pick up what you need. You also shop with a purpose, avoiding impulse buys that don’t fit in with your meal plans.
When you plan out your meals, it’s easier to use ingredients efficiently. If your meal planning includes using leftovers (it really should), then you aren’t buying as much per week since some of the food is being used from previous weeks. And when food isn’t wasted as often, it saves money and helps the environment because every ingredient is used effectively.
If anything does go bad before you can use it, most stores accept produce for composting and don’t require that it be in perfect condition for them to take back. Food packaging can also be recycled at some grocery stores or city recycling centers; check with local programs about what is accepted for recycling, which may include cardboard boxes and plastic bags (dirty ones too!).
Staying Healthy
Meal planning is a great way to eat healthily, stay within your budget, and even help you lose weight! When you plan out your meals in advance, you will be more likely to make sure the foods you are eating contain all of the nutrients you need. When you have a meal plan with balanced carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, you’ll feel more energized throughout the day.
Eating a healthy diet can also help keep your energy levels up when exercising! People who exercise frequently should plan to eat protein-rich meals after their workout as well as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. By planning what foods to eat week by week, it’s easier to ensure you get all the nutrients you need on a daily basis.
Trying New Things
Finally, meal planning is a great way to encourage yourself to try new things. Use your meal plans as an opportunity to try new recipes, cooking techniques, and ingredients. You can even discover new ways of sourcing your food. Perhaps have two nights a week where you have more time to switch up your usual pattern and experiment with a new dish, getting you and the family excited about mealtimes again. The possibilities are limitless!