Family Meal Planning, Stress-Free

We all want to be our best selves, both physically and mentally. And eating well is a great way to do that.

The good news is that you don’t need to be a dietician to know what constitutes a balanced diet. It’s just a matter of putting good ingredients first, mixing things up, keeping an eye on portion sizes, and staying away from tempting junk food.

So if it’s that simple, why does it take so much effort to get the right food on your table every day?

‘‘That's because nutrition is about more than just the food itself. It's a lifestyle that takes a little bit of extra effort and a whole lot of organisation.’’

From meal planning to grocery shopping and cooking, it can feel like a never-ending cycle of tasks that are necessary yet overwhelming.

And if you're also trying to juggle work, children, and all the other household chores... well, life is busy, and there are only so many hours in a day.

But with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can make the most out of your diet.

Start by planning ahead. It might not sound fun, but it's worth it!

First things first, you do need some kind of plan. But keep in mind that a “plan” for everyday nutrition has nothing to do with counting calories or tracking macros. It’s actually about figuring out what your goals are and having a rough idea of what meals you’ll be eating during the week.

Think simple. Is someone in your family trying to lose or gain weight? Does anyone have any food restrictions? Will you eat most of your meals at home, or will you be eating out sometimes too?

When you know the answers to those questions, you can make a general meal plan for the week and a grocery list that covers it. Choose some basic and easy recipes for your main meals, and maybe include a few healthy snacks too. That’s all you’ll need!

Making a plan like this is also a great way to control your budget. You can revisit your plan weekly and make adjustments if necessary.

How to win at grocery shopping

The first one is pretty straightforward: try sticking to your list. 

Sure, those tempting sales might catch your eye, but sticking to your grocery list is the key to success.

Here’s a tip: avoid going to the store when you’re hungry or with the children (unless you want to teach them about budgeting and nutrition). That way, you’ll be less tempted to grab those unhealthy snacks or that tub of ice cream.

Think about it. If you shop for mostly healthy food, you’ll eat mostly healthy food.

And don’t discount the power of freezer-friendly meals! Ready-to-cook options like frozen vegetables, soups, and legumes can be great ideas when you’re short on time or you’re just not in the mood for a complicated recipe.