It’s possible to use a little organization to turn dinnertime into a manageable routine for eating healthy. A few simple steps will help you avoid the drive-thru without falling into the same ‘ol, same ‘ol eating routine. A few minutes of preparation prevents the added stress of trying to figure out what to cook while hungry family members prowl the kitchen asking, “Mom, is dinner ready yet?” Here are five tips to help keep mealtimes under control with minimal effort and optimum nutrition.
CREATE OR FIND A MEAL PLAN
Use a Meal Plan to build a grocery list. If you need a jumping-off point, try the 3-Day Jumpstart, which has a Prep Guide, Meal Plan, Shopping List, and simple Recipes. A Meal Plan doesn’t have to be strict. I write mine with our schedule in mind, quick meals or planned leftovers are saved for the busiest days. Don’t consider a plan a failure if it has to be changed to accommodate unexpected events. As a side benefit, having a plan helps prevent food waste.
DO NOT SHORT-ORDER COOK
Take family members’ tastes and needs into consideration while Meal Planning, but try not to cater to whims. Dinner is dinner. If a child simply cannot eat what is served, a simple sandwich or a bowl of cereal can be their alternative, but only under extenuating circumstances. Remember to not base a child’s nutritional intake on a single meal, a good rule of thumb is to watch their intake over the course of a week. If they skip the vegetables on one day they may make up for it the next. The key is to make sure most meals are generally nutritious and that they aren’t holding out for junk food at every other meal. Obviously, if you are a parent with a special needs child, this may not apply.
THEME NIGHTS ARE FUN
Up until my kids went to college, Tuesday nights was “Taco Tuesday.” Whatever fits your style will reduce the number of meals that require thought and effort. And don’t forget, there are lots of different types of healthy tacos!
COOK ONCE, EAT TWICE
Familiarize yourself with planned leftovers. Tonight’s roasted chicken can be shredded and mixed with cheese and beans to create quesadillas. Yesterday’s lentil stew can be tomorrow’s taco filling. A little creativity can save a lot of effort.
HAVE A BACKUP PLAN
Sometimes activities run late or someone is sick. For those nights it’s nice to always have a “go-to” meal. For example, keep a jar of your favorite pasta sauce and noodles in the cabinet and garlic bread in the freezer. Whenever these items are used, add them to your grocery list.
AVOIDING THE DRIVE-THRU NOT ONLY IS HEALTHIER FOR YOUR BODY, BUT ALSO FOR YOUR WALLET!
For other healthy tips for your finances, check out our Peaceful Living Contributor DeShena Woodard’s Boost Your Financial Fitness in 6 Easy Steps!
Be sure to comment and let me know how these simple meal planning steps work for you!
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Stacey Crew is “The Kitchen Health Coach” based in Charleston, South Carolina. She is a Certified Wellness Coach & published Author, and owner of Stacey Crew Wellness. She helps individuals achieve their health goals through a 4-prong approach of understanding the individual’s wellness needs, educating on specific topics, empowering the individual to make informed decisions, and providing accountability—all in a supportive environment. Stacey is also and an Amazon best-selling author of The Organized Mom: Simplify Life for You & Baby One Step at a Time and author of the soon-to-be-released Nourish You! Transform You & Your Kitchen for Healthier Eating.
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