Do you struggle with getting healthy meals and snacks on the table?
If so, you’re not alone. Meal planning is undoubtedly one of the top challenges I hear from my clients. Despite how much they want to get into a good meal planning routine, with a million other competing priorities, getting organized with meal planning is the last thing that happens. As a result, skipped meals, more take out, less nutritious options, and added stress from having to figure out every day “What are we going to eat for dinner tonight?”
In fact, *92% of my clients report they are looking for help with meal planning and recipes.
*Based on those who responded to a recent survey
The good news is that meal planning doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming! Like anything else, you just need to get a good (and simple!) system in place. With a proper meal planning system, you will reap the rewards including more time, energy, and money in your pocket. Not to mention you will eat healthier and with that comes more energy, a better mood, and reaching your health goals faster.
Here are 5 ways Meal Planning helps:
1. Hello to Healthier Eating Habits!
I hear from my clients all they time - when they plan and prep their meals in advance, they eat so much better and feel so much better because of it! This is not surprising to hear and research supports the benefits of meal planning as well. According to an article published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, meal planning, including time spent on home food prep, planning, and cooking promotes healthy eating habit by increasing fruit and vegetable consumptions by 38% and 28%, respectively. Think back to anytime you have put a bit more effort into meal planning…how did your eating habits compare to times when you’re eating is rushed and unplanned?
2. More Money in the Bank (cha-ching! $)
If you’re a budget-conscious person like I am, the idea of saving money keeps me on track every time I feel like getting lax with my meal planning routine. You see, when you plan better, you spend better. You spend less for a few reasons including:
- You make fewer impulse buys when you shop
- You dine out and purchase take out less often
- You reduce food waste because you’ve bought just enough to fit your meal plan
Although every household is different, I typically hear my clients report saving upwards of hundreds of dollars each month when they follow a meal planning system. Consider what you could do with this hard-earned money?
3. Helps you to Shop Smarter (not harder)
Navigating the grocery store isn’t the easiest thing to do these days between having to follow specific paths down the aisles and wearing a mask. This being said, I’m guessing you don’t like to spend any extra time than necessary when shopping for food. Having a meal plan helps with this too because it guides you to shop smart. Even better, why not take your grocery list and shop online? Most major grocers allow you to order online and offer curb-side pickup. Many even offer delivery services. So, make the most out of your time and keep safe by organizing your meals for the week in advance and then get in and get out when at the store.
4. Greater Mealtime Satisfaction
Have you ever felt bored when it comes to food? If you’re tired of eating the same ol’ meals over and over again, meal planning is a sure-fire strategy for breaking through the boredom and monotony and making mealtime something to look forward to. Finding a good amount of variety in your meals and snacks through the week offers you a first-class ticket towards enjoying your food and meeting your dietary goals.
5. Hones Your Home Cooking Skills
A common barrier to better eating that I hear from my clients is “I just don’t know how to cook well” - this is understandable if you never learned how to cook growing up or simply haven’t had the time as an adult to invest in sharpening your culinary talents. The good news is that perfecting your cooking skills to the level of a professional chef is probably not necessary but stepping up your game to the point you are comfortable and confident preparing some basic home-cooked dishes will go a long way. Having a meal plan system to help you stay on track and offer you new ideas, no matter your level of cooking skills, gives the pick-up needed to get creative in the kitchen which will save you time and money while gaining the praise of your family members with happy tummies.
What’s the Bottom Line?
Having a good meal planning routine in place helps in many ways! You will save time and money and gain health and better cooking skills.
Are you ready to get started with meal planning?
Jodi Robinson, RD
As lead dietitian & founder of Craving Health, Jodi is a healthy eating coach who helps busy people clear their confusion about healthy eating and discover simple and sustainable meal and snack solutions. She is most passionate about helping her clients overcome disordered eating and the yo-yo dieting cycle. She believes life is too short to be held hostage by food and loves nothing more than helping her clients find the food freedom they deserve.
