Are you tired of scrambling to put together meals at the last minute? Do you find yourself constantly resorting to takeout or frozen dinners? If so, you’re not alone. In today’s fast-paced world, finding the time and energy to cook wholesome meals can be a real challenge. Just thinking about how to get started with meal planning may be making your head spin.
I’ve been there! I never used to plan my meals; I thought it would take too long and be too much effort. So instead I tried to figure out what I was eating as I went around the shops, or just picked up things I liked the look of and then pieced them together for dinners, inevitably always opting for the simple oven dinners first, and leaving any veg to the end, where it ended up in the bin.
Sound familiar?
Fast forward a few years, and I now plan all my meals for the week in around an hour, always know what’s for dinner, eat a wide range of foods and rarely throw food out. Read on if you want this to be you!
In this beginner’s guide covering how to get started with meal planning, I’m going to go through the main things to think about when starting to meal plan so you can hit the ground running.
What is Meal Planning?
At its core, meal planning isn’t just about organising your meals; it’s about taking control of your food choices, nourishing your body, and indulging your palate. Imagine having a week’s worth of meals designed to cater to your preferences, dietary needs, and busy schedule – all neatly laid out in advance. No more panicking at dinnertime or resorting to fast food when you’re pressed for time.
How to Get Started with Meal Planning
Starting to meal plan can be a bit overwhelming, but with the right approach and a bit of organisation, you’ll find that it becomes a valuable tool for saving time, eating healthier, reducing your impact and reducing stress. Here are some main things that will help you get started with meal planning:
More inspiration – why sustainable eating and specifically, the regenerative diet are best
Setting Clear Goals
Before you dive into the world of meal planning, it’s crucial to set clear goals. What do you hope to achieve through meal planning? Is it about saving time, eating healthier, exploring new cuisines, or all of the above? Defining your goals will provide you with a sense of purpose and motivation throughout your meal planning journey.
Get motivated
Think about why you’re trying to do this. If you can get properly motivated you’ll find it easier to stick to the plan.
Start simple
Just start – don’t overthink it! If you’ve not done it before, just pick one night (when you shouldn’t be too tired from work or likely to work late, have something come up etc.) Think of a meal to cook then. Keep it simple and probably one that you’ve cooked before or know that you like. Make sure you have the ingredients in and follow it through. Congratulate yourself and then try for two nights the following week.
Build up slowly
Add to the amount of days, or start adding in a more complex or healthier dinner that’ll be more of a challenge to cook until it starts to become difficult to achieve. Then keep it at that level until it’s become easier again and keep adding.
The key here is to keep the level of change manageable and not overwhelm yourself.
Get the household involved
It’s much easier to stick to this if you have the buy in of anyone else eating with you. Ask them for meal suggestions, or give them a couple of choices so they feel consulted! Try themed nights too, like Fish Fridays, or meat free Mondays.
Take Inventory
Before you plan your meals, take stock of what you already have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. This will help you save money and reduce food waste.
Plan Around Your Schedule
Consider your schedule for the week. On busy days, opt for quick and simple meals. For days when you have more time, you can experiment with new recipes.
Batch Cook
Consider preparing larger batches of certain ingredients (like cooked grains, roasted vegetables, or grilled chicken) that you can use in multiple meals throughout the week.
Use the opportunity
Use meal planning as a chance to eat what you want to be eating i.e. healthier, lower impact, seasonal. Include a mix of tried-and-true recipes and new ones you’d like to try. This keeps things interesting while maintaining some familiarity. You can also ensure variety of grains, veggies etc.
Plan Snacks and Extras
Don’t forget to plan for snacks, beverages, and any extras you might need during the week. Planning for them can make sure that you have some healthier options like fruit, veggies and hummus or homemade flapjacks available, rather than resorting to biscuits and crisps.
Shop with Purpose
Stick to your shopping list to avoid impulse purchases. This helps save money and prevents your fridge from becoming overcrowded.
Stay Flexible
While planning is important, be open to changes. Life can be unpredictable, so having some flexibility in your plan is key.
Use Technology
There are numerous meal planning apps and websites available that can make the process easier by helping you organize recipes, create shopping lists, and track your meals.
Celebrate Small Wins
Starting anything new takes time to adjust. Celebrate each successful meal planning week, and don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go perfectly at first.
Level up Your Meal Planning Journey With Me
As we conclude this exploration of how to get started with meal planning, I want to offer you the next steps to truly master this essential tool and integrate it seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Imagine having a supportive community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for organised, healthy, eco friendly and tasty dining. You could have access to a wealth of resources, from exclusive recipes to expert guidance that empowers you to excel on your meal planning mission.
That’s where my “Make Meal Planning Work for You” course and the Eat for Body and Planet Meal Planning Club come into play.
🍽️ “Make Meal Planning Work for You” Course: Dive deep into the world of meal planning with my comprehensive course. It’s designed to take you from a beginner to a meal planning pro in no time. With carefully curated modules, actionable steps, and a supportive learning environment, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to transform your approach to cooking and eating. (This course is free with an annual subscription to the Meal Planning Club!
🥗 The Eat for Body and Planet Meal Planning Club: Boost your meal planning experience by joining this supportive community working to make a difference and reclaim their health. As a member, you’ll enjoy excuusive recipes and meal plans, access to a meal planning software that makes everything super easy, live Q&A sessions, bitesize food education, and a platform to connect with fellow food and eco lovers. The Meal Planning Club is your go-to destination for motivation, learning, tasty recipes and meal planning simplicity.
I firmly believe that success in meal planning goes beyond just having a plan for the week. It’s about cultivating a mindset that embraces exploration, efficiency, and joy in the kitchen. With my course and membership, you’ll have the tools, support, and resources to make meal planning a sustainable and enjoyable part of your routine.
So, if you’re ready to bid farewell to mealtime stress and embrace the art of planning, preparation, and savouring, I invite you to join us on this transformative journey. Let’s turn your kitchen into a place of organized and delicious experiences – one meal at a time. Get started with meal planning the right way 🙂
Ready to embark on this flavourful adventure? Just want to know more? Enrol in my course and become a member of the Meal Planning Club today. Your culinary success story starts with a click…
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I share my knowledge, recipes (balanced, seasonal and eco-friendly), research on best choices and other tips, as well as my letting you know about how you can keep making small steps forwards.
Hey 🙂 I'm Sarah, a Nutrition and Behaviour Change Coach who focuses on helping people to eat in a way that's better for their health AND for the planet.
After a spell as an Accountant and Project Manager in London, I've returned to my scientific roots and now spend my time researching eco-options, helping people to shift their diet to a healthy, balanced one, and raising awareness about the importance of soil health for ourselves and our planet.
My main aim is to help people to start making some small (but significant) changes to the way they eat so they can enjoy all the benefits, like more energy, less sickness, reduced risks of future disease and less guilt - because we all need less stress and guilt in our lives! All whilst minimising our 'footprint' and helping preserve the planet for generations to come.
Having gone from being a vegetable hating, stressed out and sick corporate mum who felt constant guilt for not feeding her family properly and not doing enough for the planet, to a healthy, veggie loving and eco-minded mother with much less stress, I've been where you are and can definitely help you overcome your barriers and move forwards. What are you waiting for? Let's get started!
Check out my story here to get to know me a little better... or take a look at HOW I can help you on my Resources page.