It resituates the burden of deciding what to have when for what meal from a high-stress time (namely, the evenings) to a lower-stress time when it feels like less is on the line.

(As in, “sorry, I didn’t decide we’re having steel cut oatmeal for breakfast, that’s just what’s on the list.”)

All complaints can be directed at the meal plan - not you.

They ask I check my chart I answer and that’s that. My kids used to ask me this all the time, and I would stall, and they would keep asking, and I would get (unfairly) annoyed at them for continuing to ask, and the cycle went on… Now, no more.

That question - “what’s for dinner?” - is no longer a sticking point.

Once you get over the initial hurdle, there are so many great things about meal planning. Take it from someone who’s been there: overambition is a fast track back to square one. Don’t go all Martha Stewart from day one. Rather, I suggest you pick and choose what resonates with you. The following tips come from various avenues, and you don’t need to use all of them. I’ve culled the depths of food blogs and influencers, nutritionists’ and dieticians’ advice, and spoken with countless friends and family members about meal planning. (And for the record, I actually do now meal plan…) So there. Maybe you’re thinking: why would I get meal planning advice from you?īut I actually think that, having given up so many times before, and being the kind of person who feels inclined toward meal planning but apparently isn’t (obviously), I may actually be a decent conveyor here. If I had one day’s meal plan for every time I’ve sworn to the gods on high that I’m really going to start meal planning - FOR REAL THIS TIME - and then quit after one over-hyped meal-gone-wrong, I’d probably have a month’s worth of menus mapped out. Meal Planning for Busy Parents Updated October 2023

Meal planning schedule template