Are you tired of wondering what to cook for dinner every night, or do you find yourself grabbing unhealthy fast food options due to a lack of time? Meal planning might just be the solution you need. Meal planning is an excellent way to save time, reduce stress, and eat healthier. This beginner’s guide will walk you through the basics of meal planning and how it can transform your eating habits.

Meal planning involves deciding what to eat for the week ahead and possibly even preparing some or all of those meals in advance. It’s a systematic approach to organizing your meals to ensure you have healthy, delicious options ready when you need them. By planning your meals, you can also save money, reduce food waste, and enjoy a variety of foods.

In this guide, we’ll look at the simple steps for meal planning while referencing the MyFoodPlanet app. However, the steps are basically the same even if you are using a notebook and a pen or a different tool.

The first step in meal planning is organizing your recipes. Gather your favorite recipes in one place. If you have all of your recipes in one place, it will be much easier to decide what to eat for the week.  If your recipes are categorized and tagged in an organized and searchable manner, you’ll be able to narrow down your options quickly and easily.

MyFoodPlanet offers a convenient way to import recipes from the web, add your recipes manually, or search from an extensive database of over 2.3 million recipes. You can also tag your recipes so they are easy to filter.

Using a meal planning calendar, like the one provided by MyFoodPlanet, drag and drop your recipes to create a meal plan for a day, a week, or even a month. Take into consideration your schedule, dietary preferences, and nutritional needs.

MyFoodPlanet’s AI-driven tool, Orion, can also curate meals based on your unique goals and preferences, if you are having trouble with decisions or inspiration.

Once your meal plan is set, generate a shopping list with all the ingredients you’ll need. MyFoodPlanet makes this process easy by pulling ingredients from your meal planning calendar. You can then edit your list, upload it directly to online shopping platforms like Instacart, or print it for an in-store shopping experience.

With your shopping done, it’s time to start prepping your meals. This could range from fully cooking meals and storing them in the fridge or freezer to just prepping ingredients like chopping vegetables or marinating proteins. The level of prep depends on your schedule and preference.

While this part of the process is optional, it is always good to prep in advance and save time if possible.

A crucial part of meal planning is tracking your progress towards your dietary goals. MyFoodPlanet offers a built-in food tracker where you can add items manually or from your meal plan. Set goals based on weight loss, calorie intake, macros, or specific dietary modes.

Saves Time and Reduces Stress: Having meals planned and prepped in advance saves time during busy weekdays.

Healthier Eating Habits: Planning helps you make intentional, nutritious choices.

Cost-Effective: Meal planning reduces the likelihood of impulse buys and eating out.

Variety in Diet: Planning allows you to include a variety of foods in your diet.

Reduces Food Waste: By buying only what you need, you reduce waste.