How to Meal Plan for Beginners

If you are a beginner and looking to learn how to menu plan, you are in the right place. This will guide you through meal planning basics along with a few expert tips too! 

Menu planning can be a useful tool for anyone looking to save time and money, eat healthier, and reduce food waste. By planning out your meals in advance, you can make sure to have all the ingredients on hand, avoid last minute trips to the grocery store, and avoid making impulse purchases or ordering takeout.

Here are some tips for creating a successful menu plan:

Start by creating a list of your favorite meals. This can include meals that you already know how to make, as well as recipes that you want to try. You can also include meals that you can make with ingredients that you already have on hand.

Consider the time of day that you will be eating each meal. For example, breakfast meals may be different from lunch or dinner meals. You may also want to plan for snacks, if you tend to get hungry between meals.

Think about the nutritional value of each meal. While it’s okay to include some indulgent meals in your menu plan, it’s important to make sure that you are eating a balanced diet overall. Look for meals that include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Consider any dietary restrictions or food allergies that you or your family members may have. Be sure to include meals that are suitable for these restrictions, and make a note of any substitutions that you will need to make.

Once you have a list of potential meals, create a weekly or monthly menu plan. This can be as simple as writing out the meals on a piece of paper or using a spreadsheet or online tool. Be sure to include the ingredients that you will need for each meal, as well as the day and time that you will be eating it.

Take advantage of leftovers. If you have extra food from one meal, consider using it as the base for a new meal. For example, if you have leftover grilled chicken, you could use it to make a chicken salad for lunch the next day.

Plan for flexibility. It’s okay to deviate from your menu plan if something comes up. For example, if you end up eating out with friends one night, you can simply move the planned meal to another day.

Use your menu plan to create a grocery list. Be sure to check your pantry, fridge, and freezer before making your list to avoid buying ingredients that you already have on hand.

When shopping for groceries, stick to your list as much as possible. This will help you avoid making impulse purchases and sticking to your budget.

Finally, be sure to adjust your menu plan as needed. If you find that you are not enjoying a particular meal, or if you are running low on time one day, feel free to make changes to your plan.

By following these tips, you can create a successful menu plan that will help you save time and money, eat healthier, and reduce food waste. Whether you are a busy parent, a student, or simply someone who wants to eat better, menu planning can be a valuable tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning how to menu plan can be overwhelming (it doesn’t have to be) and I know you have questions, so I want to answer the most asked ones for you from the start.

Why should I menu plan? 

Menu planning can help save time and money, eat healthier, and reduce food waste. By planning out your meals in advance, you can make sure to have all the ingredients on hand, avoid last minute trips to the grocery store, and avoid making impulse purchases at the grocery store or ordering takeout because you don’t have a plan.

How do I create a menu plan?
To create a menu plan, start by making a list of your favorite meals. This step will help you have a “index of meals” to choose from each week. They can be easy to make, slow cooker, instant pot meals, etc. What matters most is that you and your family enjoy these meals. You can also separate them out by protein or how they are cooked (instant pot, slow cooker, one pot, etc) if you would like as well. 

Next, consider the time of day that you will be eating each meal. This helps you know what you are planning, such as breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, etc.. If the nutritional value of each meal is your focus, this allows you to base meals on that as well. Always be sure to consider any dietary restrictions or food allergies for your family too. 

Lastly, you aren’t tied down to only creating a weekly meal plan, you can do a monthly menu plan also. Creating a monthly meal plan is especially great for busy families or those that make freezer meals ahead of time. 

How do I make a grocery list? 

Once you have a menu plan, use it to create a grocery list. Be sure to check your pantry, fridge, and freezer before making your list to avoid buying ingredients that you already have on hand. When shopping for groceries, stick to your list as much as possible to avoid making impulse purchases.

If you struggle with impulse buying while walking around the store, consider ordering online through your local grocery store and scheduling a pick up or delivery option. Years ago, I did this to help trim our grocery budget and it worked perfectly. Our grocery bill went down so much because I wasn’t wandering the aisles and impulse buying items that we didn’t necessarily need that week.

What if I need to make changes to my menu plan?
It’s okay to make changes to your menu plan if something comes up. For example, if you end up eating out with friends one night, you can simply move the planned meal to another day. 

The biggest take away for this is to not make a habit of it, especially if you are looking for ways to keep your grocery budget in check. Constantly shifting meals can lead to wasted ingredients and even extra trips to the store. Give yourself grace when life happens, but aim to stick to your plan as closely as possible so you can stay on track with both your time and your budget.

Be sure to pin these tips for later!