By Christine Steendahl
To learn more about meal plans visit Christine at www.dinewithoutwhine.com
Meal planning is a great way to save time, energy and money when feeding your loved ones. For those thinking about meal planning, it is important to note that you don’t have to sacrifice a delicious, healthy meal for a hectic schedule or a limited budget. If you are looking for an excellent way to prepare meals for your loved ones, following are some practical ideas. Plan Your Meals in Advance The key to meal planning is with out a doubt planning your meals ahead of time. Unfortunately, many parents come home each night, ready to cook a quick dinner and have absolutely no idea what to make. With your loved ones getting hungry and a little cranky, most families give up and drive to the nearest fast food or casual dining restaurant. If you want to make sure that you stay home for dinner and that you and your family are all eating healthy, you need to plan ahead. Generally, the best way to organize your meals is to plan them out a week ahead of time. Figure out a budget, determine which foods you and your family should eat, add in some of your family’s favorites and then create a shopping list. One of the easiest ways to meal plan is to create a calendar. Start out with a main dish for each night and then add in a side dish, desert and soup/salad. Main Dish Main dishes are obviously an awesome place to begin. Generally most main dishes consist of protein such as poultry, beef, pork or fish. Any one of these make a good option and by mixing it up during the week, your loved ones won’t be bored and you can satisfy almost everyone’s taste preference. For families that are trying to lose weight or have a history of disease such as heart disease and diabetes, the main dish is the main area you should focus on creating meals that fit your dietary requirements and lifestyle. You can simply select lean meats, opt to consume more fish and for vegetarian eaters, replace meat dishes with soy and main vegetable dishes. Side Dishes Side dishes are very important to planning meals. This is your best chance to introduce vegetables into your family’s diet. Make sure you have at least one vegetable in the menu each night. For best results at least two varieties of vegetables each meal is optimal. Soup & Salad For those with food restrictions, a soup or salad is an excellent way to fill up in the beginning of the meal and enjoy smaller main dish portions later on. Soups are great during the winter time when the weather is colder and salads are an excellent way to get a healthy mix of fresh seasonal fruits or vegetables. Desserts If you are trying to get everyone to stay till the end of the meal, desserts usually do the trick. Tasty desserts are always popular; you can also choose healthy fare such as fruit salads, fruit smoothies, and gelatin. For those looking to save time and money throughout the month on meals, your best bet is by meal planning. Author Resource - Christine Steendahl Is The Founder Of Dine Without Whine – A Family Friendly Weekly Menu Planner. She Helps Families Eliminate The Dinner Hour Stress And Re-Discover The Pleasure Of The Dinner Hour! For A Free Sample Menu Visit |