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The Simple Guide to Meal Planning

June 4, 2011 by SimplyBeingMum

This post was originally written as a Guest Post over at The Minimalist Mom
I am a huge advocate of meal planning, and here I outline the basics – enjoy!

The Simple Guide to Meal Planning by simplybeingmum

Meal Planning can seem a daunting task, and yet by following this simple guide, I guarantee you will save time, money and effort, and ultimately reduce waste.

By Meal Planning you will:

  1. Save Time – No more wandering round the store with no direction, or wondering what to cook for dinner that night. No emergency trips to the store for ingredients you don’t have, or ad hoc dinners out due to lack of supplies.
  2. Save Money – By only buying what you plan to eat and resisting impulse purchases, you will save money. There is no doubt.  You also reduce costs by not throwing away unused foodstuffs.
  3. Save Effort – Being disorganised requires more effort than being organised (in the long-run), you know what you are eating and when, you can prep in advance and it requires less decision-making on a daily basis.
  4. Reduce Waste – It is estimated that in the UK 8.3m tonnes of food each year gets thrown away by households. This equates to almost £700 a year of food waste for an average family. By reducing this waste in real terms the CO2 impact would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 4 cars the road. (* source www.lovefoodhatewaste.com)

Six Simple Steps to Meal Planning

  1. The first step has nothing to do with food. Set aside 30 minutes with the family to establish everyone’s diary for the forthcoming week. I do this on a Thursday evening. I know who needs lunches and dinners and whether we are eating out at all.
  2. Write out a daily meal plan based on everyone’s diary, I plan Saturday-Saturday as I receive my groceries Saturday morning. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks are planned for. The first couple of times you do this it may be time-consuming, but as you start to replicate meals it gets easier. To reduce time and effort further you could draw up a monthly menu, and rotate 4 weeks worth of meals.
  3. Throughout the week note down anything that needs replenishing as you use it up.  This will be add-on items, such as herbs, oils and household items.
  4. Only plan for 6 days worth of meals! Seriously this works. Regardless of how good a planner you are, things happen, and you may need to use food up the day before your new batch of groceries. This also gives you an opportunity to get you culinary creative thinking cap on. If you do clear all food ‘treat’ yourself to a take away or a dinner out – you deserve it!
  5. Before you do your meal plan/grocery shop for the next week (online or otherwise) empty your food/perishables cupboard and do an inventory. Get into a routine. Strip it down and clean it, look to use things up or freeze, note down what you already have and base a meal around those items if they will still be edible. As you only keep a week’s worth of food in at any one time, waste should reduce, you will need less storage and cleaning will be simpler.
  6. Never shop without a list (based on your planned meals) or when you are hungry. I do my grocery shop online, as this eradicates any impulse purchases and also means I do not have to step foot physically in a supermarket (I’d rather be doing something else). If you don’t shop online, the principle is the same, do not deviate from the list regardless of what is on offer, or what new delights they have in store. Do not go into the clothing, toy, magazine section unless you want to add approx.20% to your food bill.
(Today’s post was inspired by Rachel tweeting she had placed her first UK online shop after the big move)

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Meal Planning Tagged: meal planning, minimalist mom, the minimalist mom

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenny @ exconsumer says

    June 4, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    This is such great advice Jo. I find that on those weeks where I don’t take the time to plan out mos tof our meals, I always have more waste at the end of the week.

    I love the idea of getting input from everyone in the family! I’ve never done this before, and I can see how beneficial it would be.

    Thanks for the great ideas!

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      June 7, 2011 at 1:42 pm

      As Good Ole Winston Churchill said “He who fails to plan is planning to fail” – this couldn’t be truer when it comes to the fridge!

      Reply
  2. Jenny @ exconsumer says

    June 4, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    This is such great advice Jo. I find that on those weeks where I don’t take the time to plan out mos tof our meals, I always have more waste at the end of the week.

    I love the idea of getting input from everyone in the family! I’ve never done this before, and I can see how beneficial it would be.

    Thanks for the great ideas!

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      June 7, 2011 at 1:42 pm

      As Good Ole Winston Churchill said “He who fails to plan is planning to fail” – this couldn’t be truer when it comes to the fridge!

      Reply
  3. Jenny @ exconsumer says

    June 4, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    This is such great advice Jo. I find that on those weeks where I don’t take the time to plan out mos tof our meals, I always have more waste at the end of the week.

    I love the idea of getting input from everyone in the family! I’ve never done this before, and I can see how beneficial it would be.

    Thanks for the great ideas!

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      June 7, 2011 at 1:42 pm

      As Good Ole Winston Churchill said “He who fails to plan is planning to fail” – this couldn’t be truer when it comes to the fridge!

      Reply
  4. Apple says

    June 8, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    Great advice Jo.
    In my house I make things even simpler by having one pizza-night, so only plan for 5 dinners. (one veggie, one or two fish/seafood, one pork/mince/beef, one or two chicken/turkey)

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      June 9, 2011 at 7:54 am

      You know this is a great idea! My daughter tends to have a friend to play once a week, and it can be hard second guessing what they will and won’t eat. Most kids love Pizza apart from my Son! We make a very simple Pizza from scratch, and I have done this with Leah’s classmates when they have been over. In fact yesterday the friend who came asked whether we would be doing that again. I may just have to add in pizza night! Watch this space! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Apple says

    June 8, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    Great advice Jo.
    In my house I make things even simpler by having one pizza-night, so only plan for 5 dinners. (one veggie, one or two fish/seafood, one pork/mince/beef, one or two chicken/turkey)

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      June 9, 2011 at 7:54 am

      You know this is a great idea! My daughter tends to have a friend to play once a week, and it can be hard second guessing what they will and won’t eat. Most kids love Pizza apart from my Son! We make a very simple Pizza from scratch, and I have done this with Leah’s classmates when they have been over. In fact yesterday the friend who came asked whether we would be doing that again. I may just have to add in pizza night! Watch this space! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Apple says

    June 8, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    Great advice Jo.
    In my house I make things even simpler by having one pizza-night, so only plan for 5 dinners. (one veggie, one or two fish/seafood, one pork/mince/beef, one or two chicken/turkey)

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      June 9, 2011 at 7:54 am

      You know this is a great idea! My daughter tends to have a friend to play once a week, and it can be hard second guessing what they will and won’t eat. Most kids love Pizza apart from my Son! We make a very simple Pizza from scratch, and I have done this with Leah’s classmates when they have been over. In fact yesterday the friend who came asked whether we would be doing that again. I may just have to add in pizza night! Watch this space! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Apple (Laura) says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    For us, Friday is the pizza & DVD night in. (or Saturday in X-Factor season). We take it (very) easy and eat in front of the telly. Other than on Friday night, the kids are not allowed to eat in front of the TV and they are not even allowed to wach TV or DVDs during the week…I’m an awful parent, I know 🙂

    Reply
  8. Apple (Laura) says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    For us, Friday is the pizza & DVD night in. (or Saturday in X-Factor season). We take it (very) easy and eat in front of the telly. Other than on Friday night, the kids are not allowed to eat in front of the TV and they are not even allowed to wach TV or DVDs during the week…I’m an awful parent, I know 🙂

    Reply
  9. Apple (Laura) says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    For us, Friday is the pizza & DVD night in. (or Saturday in X-Factor season). We take it (very) easy and eat in front of the telly. Other than on Friday night, the kids are not allowed to eat in front of the TV and they are not even allowed to wach TV or DVDs during the week…I’m an awful parent, I know 🙂

    Reply
  10. Amy Suardi @ Frugal Mama says

    October 28, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    Hi Jo,

    I like how you say that, in the long run, being disorganized requires more effort than being organized. So true!

    I’m convinced that the single most important action for saving money is planning ahead.

    Thanks for stopping by Frugal Mama!

    Take care,
    Amy

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      October 29, 2011 at 8:37 am

      Thanks for popping over Amy – I’m loving the posts over at Frugal Mama! I really need to have a good dig through your archives, I reckon it’s gonna be right up my street! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Amy Suardi @ Frugal Mama says

    October 28, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    Hi Jo,

    I like how you say that, in the long run, being disorganized requires more effort than being organized. So true!

    I’m convinced that the single most important action for saving money is planning ahead.

    Thanks for stopping by Frugal Mama!

    Take care,
    Amy

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      October 29, 2011 at 8:37 am

      Thanks for popping over Amy – I’m loving the posts over at Frugal Mama! I really need to have a good dig through your archives, I reckon it’s gonna be right up my street! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Amy Suardi @ Frugal Mama says

    October 28, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    Hi Jo,

    I like how you say that, in the long run, being disorganized requires more effort than being organized. So true!

    I’m convinced that the single most important action for saving money is planning ahead.

    Thanks for stopping by Frugal Mama!

    Take care,
    Amy

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      October 29, 2011 at 8:37 am

      Thanks for popping over Amy – I’m loving the posts over at Frugal Mama! I really need to have a good dig through your archives, I reckon it’s gonna be right up my street! 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

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    […] pate was an impulse purchase. Proving once again that meal planning is the way to go in the war against […]

    Reply
  70. Food Waste Friday / Trying Harder | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 15, 2013 at 10:44 am

    […] Top Shelf – the usual spreads and cheeses. There’s also some yoghurt with life left in it yet.  I’ve still about 50g of parmesan left. Maybe this #dinewithaldi dish will be on next weeks menu plan? […]

    Reply
  71. Food Waste Friday / Trying Harder | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 15, 2013 at 10:44 am

    […] Top Shelf – the usual spreads and cheeses. There’s also some yoghurt with life left in it yet.  I’ve still about 50g of parmesan left. Maybe this #dinewithaldi dish will be on next weeks menu plan? […]

    Reply
  72. Food Waste Friday / Trying Harder | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 15, 2013 at 10:44 am

    […] Top Shelf – the usual spreads and cheeses. There’s also some yoghurt with life left in it yet.  I’ve still about 50g of parmesan left. Maybe this #dinewithaldi dish will be on next weeks menu plan? […]

    Reply
  73. No Waste Tastes Great Even At Christmas | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 20, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    […] a grocery list, as does it’s prerequisite – meal planning takes a little time and thought. But it’s time well invested, as it can decrease grocery spend, […]

    Reply
  74. No Waste Tastes Great Even At Christmas | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 20, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    […] a grocery list, as does it’s prerequisite – meal planning takes a little time and thought. But it’s time well invested, as it can decrease grocery spend, […]

    Reply
  75. No Waste Tastes Great Even At Christmas | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 20, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    […] a grocery list, as does it’s prerequisite – meal planning takes a little time and thought. But it’s time well invested, as it can decrease grocery spend, […]

    Reply
  76. No Waste Tastes Great 2014 | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 3, 2014 at 9:21 am

    […] fridge is then restocked and a menu-plan for the forthcoming week devised. This is based on 6 days worth of meals (because I have yet to […]

    Reply
  77. No Waste Tastes Great 2014 | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 3, 2014 at 9:21 am

    […] fridge is then restocked and a menu-plan for the forthcoming week devised. This is based on 6 days worth of meals (because I have yet to […]

    Reply
  78. No Waste Tastes Great 2014 | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 3, 2014 at 9:21 am

    […] fridge is then restocked and a menu-plan for the forthcoming week devised. This is based on 6 days worth of meals (because I have yet to […]

    Reply
  79. Food Waste Friday / The Mechanics | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 10, 2014 at 10:30 am

    […] a potential food waste casualty, a save, a No Waste Tastes Great dish and a clean fridge. Meal planning is next on the […]

    Reply
  80. Food Waste Friday / The Mechanics | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 10, 2014 at 10:30 am

    […] a potential food waste casualty, a save, a No Waste Tastes Great dish and a clean fridge. Meal planning is next on the […]

    Reply
  81. Food Waste Friday / The Mechanics | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 10, 2014 at 10:30 am

    […] a potential food waste casualty, a save, a No Waste Tastes Great dish and a clean fridge. Meal planning is next on the […]

    Reply
  82. No Waste Tastes Great / A Good Report | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 17, 2014 at 11:18 am

    […] is that simple. A little advance meal-planning and keeping my eye on the zero-waste prize throughout the week results in a great report for this […]

    Reply
  83. No Waste Tastes Great / A Good Report | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 17, 2014 at 11:18 am

    […] is that simple. A little advance meal-planning and keeping my eye on the zero-waste prize throughout the week results in a great report for this […]

    Reply
  84. No Waste Tastes Great / A Good Report | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 17, 2014 at 11:18 am

    […] is that simple. A little advance meal-planning and keeping my eye on the zero-waste prize throughout the week results in a great report for this […]

    Reply
  85. When Meal Planning Doesn’t Go To Plan… | Simply Being Mum says:
    March 12, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    […] If you read my blog regularly you’ll know I’m a fan of the meal plan. […]

    Reply
  86. When Meal Planning Doesn’t Go To Plan… | Simply Being Mum says:
    March 12, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    […] If you read my blog regularly you’ll know I’m a fan of the meal plan. […]

    Reply
  87. When Meal Planning Doesn’t Go To Plan… | Simply Being Mum says:
    March 12, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    […] If you read my blog regularly you’ll know I’m a fan of the meal plan. […]

    Reply
  88. Food Waste Friday / Spring Clean Your Fridge | Simply Being Mum says:
    April 18, 2014 at 9:25 am

    […] I meal plan, only buy what I need for 7 days, empty my fridge and clean it each Friday, it doesn’t need a […]

    Reply
  89. Food Waste Friday / Spring Clean Your Fridge | Simply Being Mum says:
    April 18, 2014 at 9:25 am

    […] I meal plan, only buy what I need for 7 days, empty my fridge and clean it each Friday, it doesn’t need a […]

    Reply
  90. Food Waste Friday / Spring Clean Your Fridge | Simply Being Mum says:
    April 18, 2014 at 9:25 am

    […] I meal plan, only buy what I need for 7 days, empty my fridge and clean it each Friday, it doesn’t need a […]

    Reply
  91. No Waste Tastes Great / Watching What I Eat | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 23, 2014 at 9:07 am

    […] Once this Friday fridge is accounted for (see video) I’ll be buying what I need based on a meal plan for next week. I love meal-planning. […]

    Reply
  92. No Waste Tastes Great / Watching What I Eat | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 23, 2014 at 9:07 am

    […] Once this Friday fridge is accounted for (see video) I’ll be buying what I need based on a meal plan for next week. I love meal-planning. […]

    Reply
  93. No Waste Tastes Great / Watching What I Eat | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 23, 2014 at 9:07 am

    […] Once this Friday fridge is accounted for (see video) I’ll be buying what I need based on a meal plan for next week. I love meal-planning. […]

    Reply
  94. Meal Planning – As Simple As Salad | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 24, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    […] (Learn how I meal-plan here) […]

    Reply
  95. Meal Planning – As Simple As Salad | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 24, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    […] (Learn how I meal-plan here) […]

    Reply
  96. Meal Planning – As Simple As Salad | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 24, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    […] (Learn how I meal-plan here) […]

    Reply
  97. No Waste Tastes Great / Back On Track | Simply Being Mum says:
    July 4, 2014 at 10:34 am

    […] Want to start effectively meal-planning? Check this out. […]

    Reply
  98. No Waste Tastes Great / Back On Track | Simply Being Mum says:
    July 4, 2014 at 10:34 am

    […] Want to start effectively meal-planning? Check this out. […]

    Reply
  99. No Waste Tastes Great / Back On Track | Simply Being Mum says:
    July 4, 2014 at 10:34 am

    […] Want to start effectively meal-planning? Check this out. […]

    Reply
  100. Doing A Naked Shop / Zero Waste Week | Simply Being Mum says:
    September 2, 2014 at 11:59 am

    […] Friday. But I have good weeks and not so impressive weeks. Overall I do the best I can to meal plan, use what I have and stick to my No Waste Tastes Great […]

    Reply
  101. Doing A Naked Shop / Zero Waste Week | Simply Being Mum says:
    September 2, 2014 at 11:59 am

    […] Friday. But I have good weeks and not so impressive weeks. Overall I do the best I can to meal plan, use what I have and stick to my No Waste Tastes Great […]

    Reply
  102. Doing A Naked Shop / Zero Waste Week | Simply Being Mum says:
    September 2, 2014 at 11:59 am

    […] Friday. But I have good weeks and not so impressive weeks. Overall I do the best I can to meal plan, use what I have and stick to my No Waste Tastes Great […]

    Reply
  103. How Can We Simplify Chores? | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 3, 2015 at 9:43 am

    […] example this is my laundry routine. And you already know about how I meal plan and my Friday No Waste Tastes Great routine that keeps my fridge on […]

    Reply
  104. How Can We Simplify Chores? | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 3, 2015 at 9:43 am

    […] example this is my laundry routine. And you already know about how I meal plan and my Friday No Waste Tastes Great routine that keeps my fridge on […]

    Reply
  105. How Can We Simplify Chores? | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 3, 2015 at 9:43 am

    […] example this is my laundry routine. And you already know about how I meal plan and my Friday No Waste Tastes Great routine that keeps my fridge on […]

    Reply
  106. Meal Planning My Way | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 22, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    […] If you want to read a more in-depth outline of how to meal plan from start to finish I do have The Simple Guide To Meal Planning. […]

    Reply
  107. Meal Planning My Way | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 22, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    […] If you want to read a more in-depth outline of how to meal plan from start to finish I do have The Simple Guide To Meal Planning. […]

    Reply
  108. Meal Planning My Way | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 22, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    […] If you want to read a more in-depth outline of how to meal plan from start to finish I do have The Simple Guide To Meal Planning. […]

    Reply
  109. How To Reduce Christmas Food Waste - Simply Being Mum says:
    December 11, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    […] a grocery list, as does it’s prerequisite – meal planning, takes a little time and thought. But it’s time well invested, as it can decrease grocery spend, […]

    Reply

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Welcome to SimplyBeingMum – one mother’s personal website documenting the journey toward a family life simply done.Here you will find a collection of recipes, ideas, musings and philosophies related to families who feel a pull toward a more conscious, mindful and simpler way of life.

You don’t have to homeschool or bake your own bread daily to hang out here. At whatever stage of your journey, you are on, you are very welcome. I personally still have a long way left down my own path and find that by blogging about it, it helps to keep me on track.

Please stay a while, have a meander around, see what takes your interest, and do join in the discussion.

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