Mealtimes are an essential part of the day for families. It allows them to share, bond, and catch up with one another after a long, busy day. Some days are more demanding than others, leaving little time for planning and cooking meals, and it could have some families reaching for unhealthy options instead.
Planning family meals helps everyone get all the nutrients they need and takes the pressure off the person who has to cook. Here are some tips to make things even more straightforward than one would think:
1. Include All Three Meals In The Plan
When starting the planning process, remember to include all three meals of the day. This is because you would have to shop for ingredients for all of them. Meal prep Ottawa is the best way to approach this. You do it by planning each meal for each person.
2. Have A List Of Go-To Meals
Create a folder or book with all the recipes that the family enjoys. Subsections for meals that are easy to make, those that freeze well, or quick preparation will help narrow down the choices. This folder will help when the family has limited time but still wants a healthy meal to share.
3. Physically Write The Plan Down
Writing the plan down makes it official. The family will more likely stick to the program when they have a printed hard copy of their meals. It also takes the thinking off of eating when everyone knows what to prepare on which days. Visually seeing it when passing through the kitchen serves as a reminder to get meals from the freezer or prep the ingredients.
4. Incorporate Your Family Calendar
Larger families and those who have kids will need to keep a calendar-style meal plan. Getting everyone around the same table could be challenging with everyone’s activities and things to do. Planning meals that are easy to heat and eat on busy days can save everyone time while bringing everyone together for a healthy dinner at home.
5. Use Ingredients You Already Have
Doing shopping could be a tedious chore for a household, and daily shopping could cost them more. Depending on the family’s financial means, instead plan a menu for the week or month and do the shopping accordingly. Don’t overspend on luxury items when running into the store. Instead, use what is in the pantry, fridge, or freezer already.
6. Check For Local Specials
Many grocery stores will hand out pamphlets with unique offerings; some could mark items down considerably. Keep an eye out for good deals and buy them to save for later. Buying in bulk could also be an option if the store offers this discount. These can make meal planning more budget-friendly and keep the family much needed time and effort.
7. Cook Larger Batches Each Time
When cooking a meal that will freeze or store well, cook larger batches at a time and save some of the food in containers for later. Doing this will help the family when they’re in a pickle later and need a healthy meal fast. It could also help to freeze smaller amounts for lunchtime at the office or on the go.
Have the correct size containers available for the meals the family would need, like using smaller containers for individual meals and larger ones to save family-sized dinners.
8. Regularly Clean The Fridge And Pantry
Sometimes, there are food items that families forget in the fridge or pantry. Letting them sit there for long periods could have them go off and become inedible. Food items like this waste money when bought but never used. Clean the fridge weekly to ensure everything stays fresh, and clear out the pantry before adding the next batch of groceries.
Regular clearing like this will ensure that the family stays on budget throughout the month and help them use available items they haven’t used in a meal yet. The family can then plan their next round of meals accordingly to ensure nothing goes to waste.
To Round It All Off
Families will all have specific needs, schedules, and preferences, making it challenging to implement a standard meal plan. Each of them should put their heads together, choose options that fit into their lifestyle, and create a plan accordingly.
Eating and sharing food brings families closer together. When they all participate in the planning process, it ensures that everyone remains happy and healthy with the food choices. So, think out of the box before adding meals into them such that meal prep becomes a breeze!
