Once you’ve got the basics down, meal planning gets a lot easier – but there’s always room for perfecting your meal plan. Yes, you are probably already saving quite a bit of time and money by the very act of meal planning, but there’s a good chance you could refine it even further to get the most out of your efforts. Here are my best tips for perfecting your meal plan.

1. Consider picky eaters

Meal planning is admittedly far easier when everyone just automatically eats the same things, but the reality is that most families have at least one picky eater in the house. I used to struggle with this quite a lot, but I’ve found that it is truly possible to meal plan when you have picky eaters if you have a few good strategies up your sleeve. 

Sometimes it might mean finding meals where you can serve the offending ingredient on the side or add it in at the last minute after serving the person in your home who hates it. For example, if your son hates your pasta salad because he’s not a fan of black olives, mix everything else together and make his plate, then stir the olives into the rest of the pasta salad and serve everyone else.

It might also be a matter of batch cooking nutritious meals that your picky eater does like and then keeping them in the freezer for those days you want to make something they won’t touch. You might also serve “deconstructed” meals family-style, like tacos or fajitas, where everyone puts what they want on their plate.

2. Have themed nights

If you’ve hit a creativity rut, it can help to have themed nights. This can give your meal planning some direction so you’re not starting every week completely from scratch. For example, you might do Meatless Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, or Fish Fridays. 

Planning the week’s meals is far less overwhelming when you can start your list with a few days already filled in, and it could also be the start of a fun family tradition! Regular themes are one of the easiest steps to successful meal planning.

3. Check your calendar

If you find yourself constantly straying from your meal plan, there’s a good chance you just aren’t checking your calendar and keeping your obligations for the week in mind. On nights the kids finish sports practice late, it just makes sense to have leftovers or something simple. If you have a dentist appointment on Tuesday evening, that’s the wrong night to try that new recipe you saw online that promises it only takes 30 minutes – what if they’re wrong and you run late at the dentist? 

Don’t just check your calendar – think carefully about how much time you’ll have to cook depending on your other commitments and make your plan accordingly.

4. Keep a list of go-tos

It can be incredibly helpful to keep a running list of go-to meals that are quick to prepare, that you typically have ingredients for, and that everyone loves. For me, this is quesadillas – we always have beans and tortillas on hand, and whatever veg and cheese I have in the fridge usually works just fine. They can be ready in record time, and no one ever complains. Pasta is another popular go-to as it’s easy to keep the ingredients on hand. 

Keep a list of these meals ready so you always have something to make on those days when cooking time will be limited but you don’t have any freezer meals available.

Perfecting your meal plan takes time, but you’ll quickly find what works for you and your family and enjoy the amazing feeling that comes from being organised and having more free time!

PS: If meal planning week after week has become draining – why not sign up for The Dinner Plan and let us do the heavy lifting? We will send you meal plans, delicious easy (nutritionist-approved) recipes, a shopping list*, and meal prep instructions too! Check it out before we close doors – you can try it for free with our 14 day free trial! 🙌🏼
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