How To Make Weekly Meal Planner

Meal planning is a great way to save time, money, and stress. When you plan your meals in advance, you’re less likely to make unhealthy choices or order takeout. This can save you hundreds of dollars per year, not to mention the calories and fat grams you’ll avoid.

Making a weekly meal plan is easy. All you need is a little time and effort. To get started, gather up some of your favorite recipes and a calendar. We’ll show you how to create a weekly meal plan that fits your needs and your budget.

Now that you know the benefits of meal planning and how to get started, let’s take a closer look at the steps involved in creating a weekly meal plan.

How To Make Weekly Meal Planner

Meal planning is a great way to save time, money, and stress. Here are 8 important points to help you get started:

Gather your recipes
Choose a planning method
Plan your meals around sales
Cook once, eat twice
Use leftovers creatively
Make a grocery list
Stick to your plan
Be flexible

Meal planning doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these tips, you can create a weekly meal plan that fits your needs and your budget.

Gather your recipes

The first step in creating a weekly meal plan is to gather your recipes. This can be a daunting task, but it’s important to take the time to find recipes that you and your family will enjoy. There are many ways to find recipes, including cookbooks, websites, and magazines. You can also ask friends and family for their favorite recipes.

Once you have a collection of recipes, you need to decide which ones you want to make for the week. Consider your family’s dietary needs and preferences, as well as the amount of time you have to cook. It’s also a good idea to choose recipes that use similar ingredients, so that you can save time and money at the grocery store.

Once you have chosen your recipes, you need to organize them. You can do this by creating a binder or folder, or by using a meal planning app. This will help you keep track of your recipes and make it easy to find the ones you want to make.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with new recipes. This is a great way to find new favorites and expand your culinary skills.

Now that you have gathered your recipes, you are ready to start planning your meals. The next step is to choose a planning method.

Choose a planning method

There are many different ways to plan your meals, so choose a method that works best for you. Some popular methods include:

The weekly meal plan: This is the most common method of meal planning. With this method, you plan out your meals for the entire week in advance. This can save you a lot of time and stress during the week, but it can also be inflexible if your plans change.
The monthly meal plan: This is a less common method of meal planning, but it can be a good option if you have a busy schedule. With this method, you plan out your meals for the entire month in advance. This can save you even more time than the weekly meal plan, but it can also be even more inflexible.
The daily meal plan: This method of meal planning is the most flexible, but it can also be the most time-consuming. With this method, you plan out your meals for each day as you go. This can give you the most freedom to change your plans, but it can also be difficult to stay on track.

No matter which method you choose, the most important thing is to be consistent. If you stick to your plan, you’ll be more likely to save time, money, and stress.

Once you have chosen a planning method, you are ready to start planning your meals. The next step is to plan your meals around sales.

Plan your meals around sales

One of the best ways to save money on groceries is to plan your meals around sales. Many grocery stores have weekly sales on different items, so it pays to check the ads before you go shopping. You can also sign up for email alerts from your favorite grocery stores so that you can be notified of upcoming sales.

When you are planning your meals, be sure to check the prices of the ingredients you need. If an ingredient is on sale, you may want to buy more of it than you need and freeze the rest for later. You can also use sale items to make bulk meals that you can freeze and eat later.

Planning your meals around sales can save you a lot of money over time. By taking advantage of sales, you can reduce your grocery bill by 20% or more.

Once you have planned your meals around sales, you are ready to start cooking. The next step is to cook once, eat twice.

Cook once, eat twice

One of the best ways to save time and money is to cook once and eat twice. This means cooking a large meal on one day and then eating the leftovers for the next day or two.

Cook a double batch of your favorite recipes: This is a great way to save time and energy. Simply double the recipe and freeze the leftovers for later.
Make a soup or stew: Soups and stews are perfect for cooking once and eating twice. They are easy to make and can be reheated quickly.
Roast a whole chicken: A whole roasted chicken can be used for several meals. You can eat it with mashed potatoes and vegetables one night, and then use the leftovers for sandwiches or tacos the next day.
Make a big pot of chili: Chili is another great option for cooking once and eating twice. It is easy to make and can be served with rice, cornbread, or chips.

Cooking once and eating twice is a great way to save time, money, and energy. By following these tips, you can make the most of your cooking efforts.

Use leftovers creatively

Leftovers can be a great way to save time and money. But if you’re not careful, they can also become boring. Here are a few tips for using leftovers creatively:

Repurpose leftovers into new dishes: For example, you can turn leftover roasted chicken into chicken salad, chicken tacos, or chicken soup. Leftover rice can be used to make fried rice, rice pudding, or rice balls.
Add leftovers to other dishes: For example, you can add leftover vegetables to omelets, soups, or stews. Leftover meat can be added to pasta dishes, salads, or sandwiches.
Freeze leftovers for later: If you don’t have time to use your leftovers right away, freeze them for later. This is a great way to save time and money on future meals.
Get creative with your leftovers: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ways to use your leftovers. You may be surprised at what you come up with.

Using leftovers creatively is a great way to save time, money, and food. By following these tips, you can make the most of your leftovers.

Make a grocery list

Once you have planned your meals, it’s time to make a grocery list. This will help you stay organized and avoid impulse purchases at the store.

Check your pantry and refrigerator: Before you start making your list, check your pantry and refrigerator to see what you already have. This will help you avoid buying duplicates.
Use your recipes: Go through your recipes and make a list of all the ingredients you need. Be sure to double-check the measurements to make sure you have enough of each ingredient.
Plan for snacks and lunches: Don’t forget to plan for snacks and lunches when you’re making your grocery list. This will help you avoid eating out or buying unhealthy snacks at the convenience store.
Stick to your list: Once you have made your grocery list, stick to it as much as possible. This will help you stay on track and avoid overspending.

Making a grocery list is a simple but effective way to save time and money. By following these tips, you can create a grocery list that will help you stay organized and avoid impulse purchases.

Stick to your plan

Once you have made your meal plan and grocery list, the next step is to stick to your plan. This can be difficult, but it is important to stay on track if you want to achieve your goals.

Cook at home as much as possible: This is the best way to save money and control what you eat. When you cook at home, you can choose healthy ingredients and avoid processed foods.
Pack your lunch: Packing your lunch is a great way to save money and eat healthier. When you pack your lunch, you can control what you eat and avoid the temptation to eat out.
Make healthy snacks available: If you have healthy snacks available, you are less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks when you are hungry.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you are struggling to stick to your plan, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, or registered dietitian.

Sticking to your plan can be difficult, but it is important to remember the benefits. When you stick to your plan, you will save money, eat healthier, and lose weight.

Be flexible

No matter how well you plan, there will always be times when you need to be flexible. For example, you may have to change your plans if you run out of an ingredient, if your schedule changes, or if you simply don’t feel like cooking. The important thing is to be flexible and to not let setbacks derail your progress.

Here are a few tips for being flexible with your meal plan:

Don’t be afraid to substitute ingredients: If you don’t have an ingredient on hand, don’t be afraid to substitute it with something else. For example, you can substitute ground beef for ground turkey, or you can use frozen vegetables instead of fresh vegetables.
Be willing to change your schedule: If your schedule changes, don’t be afraid to change your meal plan. For example, if you have to work late one night, you can cook a quick and easy meal instead of a more elaborate meal.
Don’t feel like you have to cook every meal: If you don’t feel like cooking, don’t be afraid to order takeout or eat out. The important thing is to make healthy choices and to stay on track with your goals.
Don’t give up: If you have a setback, don’t give up. Just pick yourself up and start again. The important thing is to keep moving forward.

Meal planning is a great way to save time, money, and stress. By being flexible, you can make meal planning work for you, even when life gets in the way.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about meal planning:

Question 1: How often should I meal plan?
Answer: Most experts recommend meal planning once a week. This will give you enough time to plan your meals, but it won’t be so overwhelming that you give up.

Question 2: How much time does it take to meal plan?
Answer: The amount of time it takes to meal plan will vary depending on how many meals you are planning and how detailed you want your plan to be. However, you can usually expect to spend 30-60 minutes meal planning each week.

Question 3: What are some tips for meal planning on a budget?
Answer: There are many ways to meal plan on a budget. Some tips include planning your meals around sales, cooking once and eating twice, using leftovers creatively, and packing your lunch.

Question 4: What are some healthy meal planning tips?
Answer: When meal planning, it is important to choose healthy recipes that are packed with nutrients. Some tips for healthy meal planning include choosing lean protein sources, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limiting processed foods and sugary drinks.

Question 5: How can I stick to my meal plan?
Answer: Sticking to your meal plan can be challenging, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. Some tips for sticking to your meal plan include cooking at home as much as possible, packing your lunch, making healthy snacks available, and asking for help from a friend or family member.

Question 6: What should I do if I have a setback?
Answer: If you have a setback, don’t give up. Just pick yourself up and start again. The important thing is to keep moving forward.

Meal planning is a great way to save time, money, and stress. By following these tips, you can create a meal plan that works for you and your family.

Now that you know how to meal plan, here are a few additional tips to help you make the most of your meal planning efforts:

Tips

Here are a few additional tips to help you make the most of your meal planning efforts:

Tip 1: Involve your family in the meal planning process. This will help them feel more invested in the plan and more likely to stick to it.

Tip 2: Use a meal planning app. There are many great meal planning apps available that can help you plan your meals, create grocery lists, and even find recipes.

Tip 3: Cook in bulk. This is a great way to save time and money. When you cook in bulk, you can freeze the leftovers for later.

Tip 4: Be flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to adjust your meal plan as needed.

Meal planning is a great way to save time, money, and stress. By following these tips, you can create a meal plan that works for you and your family.

Now that you have all the information you need to create a weekly meal plan, it’s time to put your knowledge into action. Start by gathering your recipes and choosing a planning method. Then, plan your meals around sales and cook once, eat twice. Use leftovers creatively and make a grocery list. Finally, stick to your plan and be flexible.

Conclusion

Meal planning is a great way to save time, money, and stress. By following the tips in this article, you can create a weekly meal plan that works for you and your family.

Here are the main points to remember:

Gather your recipes and choose a planning method.
Plan your meals around sales and cook once, eat twice.
Use leftovers creatively and make a grocery list.
Stick to your plan and be flexible.

Meal planning doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these simple tips, you can make meal planning a part of your weekly routine and enjoy the benefits of healthier eating, a smaller grocery bill, and less stress.