If you’re a busy professional, you probably don’t have a lot of time to cook healthy meals for yourself. Maybe you find yourself ordering take out, or going out to eat more often than you’d like. In that case, your bank account may be feeling the crunch. But there is a simple way to fix both of these problems: meal planning.
Planning your meals and grocery shopping on a weekly basis helps you eat healthier by ensuring you have on hand everything you need to cook a nutritious meal. It helps you save money by reducing your excuses to eat out—and limiting the amount of food that goes to waste in your refrigerator.
Not sure how to begin? Here’s a quick get-started guide to meal planning:
- Make a master list. For ease of menu-planning, create a master list of go-to recipes that you can refer to when you’re out of ideas. As you come across meals you’d like to try, add them to the list. Then each week, making your menu is as easy as opening up your master list and choosing a few options.
- Plan your menu. If it feels overwhelming, you can start by just making a dinner meal plan. Add in lunch and breakfast in a week or two. Then, create your grocery list. Group like items together (produce in one column, dairy in another, dry goods in a third) so that it’s easy to find everything once you’re in the store.
- Cook extra and use your leftovers. If you cook a double portion on Monday, you won’t have to cook again on Wednesday or Thursday. If you prefer not to eat the same thing too often, you can also freeze the extra for the future. Leftovers also make excellent lunches.
- Make grocery shopping part of your routine. Carve out a day and time to grocery shop each week and make it a habit so you’re not tempted to skip it.
- Build in a break. If you enjoy trying new things and eating out, you don’t have to give it up altogether. By cooking more often, you can save your money for truly special meals that you won’t feel guilty splurging on—money-wise and calorie-wise.
Now start making your list and enjoy the health benefits and money savings that come with meal planning!
