Do you know what you’re having for dinner tonight? Meal times often sneak up on us, leaving us in a scurry to throw something together last minute.
We all have times when figuring out what to make is not easy. Unfortunately, this leads many to lean on fast food or restaurants for meals where the portions are too big, the price to feed a family is too expensive and the fat and calories in the food can be downright shocking.
With a little bit of planning, reliance on drive-thrus and frozen pizzas can be a thing of the past. Here’s how to get started:
- Consider Your Schedule
Are you rushed in the morning? Need to pack lunch to take to work? Busy with activities after work or school? Putting thought into your schedule ahead of time helps you prepare for when you need meals or snacks ready fast or avoid drive-thru traps.
- Get Ideas
Jot down meal ideas that fit your schedule. Don’t forget to ask the rest of the family, too! Breakfast can be as easy as low-fat cottage cheese, pineapple and a few whole wheat crackers. For lunch, think sandwiches and salads with a low-fat yogurt or sliced veggies and an apple to round out the meal. Need dinner fast? Crock pot meals are a fantastic way to have dinner ready when you walk in the door.
- Be Realistic
Ask yourself two important questions – do you like to cook and do you have time to cook? The answers will help ensure success. Making lasagna from scratch may not be the best dinner idea for you if you only have 20 minutes and don’t enjoy cooking. Being realistic about the time and energy you will put into cooking makes it more likely that you will do it.
- Keep Healthy Food on Hand
Be prepared! List the foods you need as you plan meals and snacks for the week. Then take this list with you when grocery shopping to get the items you need for the meals planned. Keep a running grocery list through the week as you think of new meals and snacks for the week ahead.
5. Do it together
Meal planning shouldn’t be a one-person job. Take an hour one day this week – schedule the time on your calendar if you need to – and talk to your spouse and family about what is happening that week. Is there a soccer game on Tuesday? Do you have a late meeting on Friday? When you identified the days that need faster meals or when one person is on his or her own for dinner, pick recipes that fit your needs.
After you make your shopping list, try to go to the grocery store only once. I know, easier said than done. But, if you go to the store only once a week, you only need to make healthy food choices that one time. The more trips to the store, the more likely you are to pick up the chips, sweets and other not-so-good-for-you foods.
Not convinced? Try it for two weeks. Take the next two weeks and try all five tips as a family – then let us know how it worked out on Facebook!
