Why Meal Plan?

Meal planning is simply taking some time throughout your day, to plan some or all your meals. It’s a way to help you organise, save time and money, and have a course of action.

You can plan for yourself or plan for your family. Plan to eat healthy or plan a treat night out. Plan your snacks and meals, or simply plan your lunches so you aren’t spending money on cafe foods during the week. What you plan and how you do it is totally up to you. The goal is to have an idea and a plan in place and not wait until you are starving.

Meal Plan Reasons!

There are many reasons why meal planning is a great idea so I will give you five reasons why.

1. Less stress

A meal plan is your map to know what you are eating next; it gives you the advantage of being organised and not stressing of “What to cook for dinner” or thinking “What am I going to have for lunch?” or “I’m so hungry I could eat a whole cow!” and then trying to find something last minute.

2. Saves money

When you have your meal plan in place, you will also need a shopping list, so remember to write one and take it. Only buying what you have written on your list saves you money at the checkout, compared to the impulse buy of getting this and that, as you don’t know what you have at home or what you are going to eat.

3. Eating healthy

A meal plan gives you something to look forward to and ensures that there is no last-minute dash to fast foods or takeaways. You have spent the time organising and planning your meals and you have all the ingredients to make everything you need at home, so you are going to take advantage of that.

In addition, eating healthy fresh foods everyday needs to be planned into your lifestyle, as fresh foods have a short shelf life. Thus, when you plan to eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day and you have shopped for that, you have a greater chance of achieving your goal as you are prepared, compared to just winging it at the last second and then grabbing something unhealthy.

4. Takes back your control.

When you have control over your eating, it is one of the first steps towards improving and changing your eating habits and your health. This is because you know what you are eating, when you are eating it and what ingredients went into that food that you are eating. Just by doing one of these things is taking back your control and is a sure why to get your diet back on track.

Life is a juggle and we have lots of things to manage every day. So, plan your meal, do a shopping list, do the groceries and then just get on with life knowing your food is sorted!

5. Food awareness

An eating behaviour that causes people many problems is mindlessly eating. Doing other activities whilst eating and not being present in the moment or grabbing takeaway on the way home from a busy day out or at work because you are unorganised or stressed adds to a poor diet. Buy by creating a meal plan, this makes you aware of all your meals and snacks and keeps you accountable to yourself and members of your family.

Want to find out more about meal plans?

I have created a family meal plan designed specifically for families just like you! People who are searching for quick and easy recipes, cooking on a budget and ready to ditch the diet mentality so that you feel healthy, strong, confident - and still enjoy the foods you love!

This is a one-week meal plan with a real approach with real people eating real food... and enjoying the things we love too!

Because life is meant to be enjoyed and biscuits, spinach, ice-cream, vegetables and wine can totally co-exist :)

This family meal plan includes a balance of all the food groups recommended by The Australian Dietary Guidelines. For example, including protein and healthy fats in every meal, eating more fruits and vegetables, eating more whole foods and less processed foods, getting enough water and eating in moderation.

In addition, I have tailored the daily meals to equate to 1350 calories/ 5670 kilojoules for women and 1650 calories/6930 kilojoules for men . This target is great for someone aiming to lose a little weight.

Want to find out more, click the link here.