The right meal planning method is different for everyone!
Here are the rules you have to follow when meal planning:
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… Get it? There are no rules! Much like preferences in WHAT you make for dinner the HOW of getting dinner on the table will be different for every family. I’m here to help you do that more succesfully!
Below is an outline of different types of meal planning (You can also watch the YouTube video if that fits your fancy) and then I’ll give you some tips for deciding which to give a go!
Traditional Meal Planning:
When most people think of meal planning, they envision weekly meal selections, recipe choices, grocery lists, and trips to the store. This traditional approach involves planning meals for a set period, typically a week, and then purchasing the necessary ingredients. It’s a method I’ve used extensively, from weekly to monthly plans, even planning ahead for extended travel periods. Before a trip I will plan leading up to our travel day AND for several days after we get back! (Because who wants to worry about dinner and ruin their relaxed mood?) While effective, it can sometimes lead to decision fatigue and constant meal brainstorming.
Rotating Meal Plans:
A rotating meal plan offers a potentially simpler approach. In this method, you create a meal plan once and cycle through it repeatedly. (I even offer a bundle of rotating meal plans to purchase!) The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity; you decide once and repeat. However, there’s a risk of too much meal repetition, which can lead to tire of even your favorite meals. I would recommend creating AT LEAST a 4-week rotation.
Capsule Meal Planning:
Similar to a capsule wardrobe, this method involves keeping on hand a set of staple ingredients that you mix and match to create various meals. While highly flexible, it requires consistent stockpiling of groceries, potentially leading to food waste. Also, incorporating fresh produce can be challenging, as it requires regular trips to the store. And personally, I don’t have the pantry of fridge space for keeping too many ingredients on hand!
The biggest pro of this method is being able to change your mind or make whatever you feel like having each night. As I typically do the weekly planning method what I do when I crave a certain dinner is add it to a running list on my phone titled “Next meal ideas,” And then add it to my meal plan the next time I sit down to make one!
Choosing the Right Method for You:
Finding the ideal meal planning method hinges on various factors, including your lifestyle, storage space, and time constraints. Experiment with different approaches, giving each method enough time to see if it works for you. Consider factors such as grocery sales, storage capacity, and flexibility in your decision-making process. And be willing to give each a try! There may also be different seasons of life where different methods work better than others. I used a rotating meal plan for the first few months after my daughter was born and it was such a smart decision, if I do say so myself!
Meal planning doesn’t have to be daunting.
By embracing meal planning, you’ll not only save time and money but also alleviate the stress of mealtime decisions. Remember, meal planning is about finding what works for you and your family, making dinnertime a breeze, even during the busiest seasons of life. (But if meal planning is just too daunting, checkout my PREMADE MEAL PLANS!)
Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more tips on saving time, money, and sanity in the kitchen. And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to stay updated on all my upcoming videos. Until next time, happy cooking from my budget kitchen to yours!
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