

The number of hours you’ll save during the busy week will be oh so worth it. Select your meals for the week and dedicate a few hours one to two days per week to meal prep. There’s no doubt about it - meal planning saves you time. The Top 4 Benefits of Meal Planning #1 Saves You Time Meal planning makes it easy to plan your food out for the week and even get a head start on the prep work, so you have healthy meals ready to enjoy when you’re just too busy to cook. Plus, not only does having a weekly meal plan make it easier to make healthier food choices, but the benefits of meal planning include saving you both time and money (win, win!)Īhead, we’re showing you how healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated, and that yes, meal planning is totally doable even with the busiest schedule. Veri advises, “Just take one meal at a time.Gone are the days where you have to cook every night of the week in order to eat healthy.

The key is just to set aside a little bit of time each week to do it. Whether you’re cooking for your entire family or just yourself, taking the time to plan your meals for the week ahead is definitely worth the effort. When every food has a purpose, you won’t have to worry about items in your fridge going to waste. When it comes to meal planning, you go to the grocery store with a plan, and know how you’re going to use all of the items. Sticking to what’s on the list also avoids impulse buys at the grocery store. While you skip out on spending money at restaurants, meal planning also involves buying items in bulk, which can be a huge money saver. SAVE MONEYĮveryone can agree that saving money is something we all try to do, and meal planning is a great way to help. This also saves you the hassle of cleaning up after cooking. Instead of standing in front of your fridge or pantry deciding what to whip up, you can have your healthy meal ready in minutes. “If we can take the time out to plan meals, write a grocery list and have fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans available, they will become convenient and eaten more often.” SAVE TIMEīeing hungry and realizing you have nothing planned is undoubtedly stressful. “Many times unhealthy foods are chosen because of convenience,” explains Veri. Meal planning eliminates this issue when you have a balanced meal at your fingertips, filled with nutrient-dense food prepped and ready to go! This is why some of us settle for the closest fast food joint with unhealthy options. When you’re hungry and your blood sugar drops, you’re more inclined to eat whatever you can get the fastest. This also prevents you from overeating at restaurants, which tend to serve a way bigger portion than you should actually be eating. Planning your own meals will allow you to see how much you’re actually eating. “Planning meals and snacks ahead of time increases the chance for success, it increases the likelihood a healthier food choice will be made.”Ĭheck out these benefits of meal planning: LEARN PORTION CONTROL That applies to meal planning as well,” says Silvia Veri, registered dietitian at the Beaumont Weight Control Center – Canton.

“With anything in life, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. There are numerous advantages of planning out your meals in advance that can not only save your waistline, but also improve your health.

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, or just improve your diet, meal planning is an easy step to help you reach your goals.
