Plan Menus
Plan for nourishing meals
Planning your menu before you shop will help you:
- Be ready for mealtime. Have foods on hand to make healthy meals for you and your family.
- Save time! Planning your meals in advance can help save time deciding what to eat, and make fewer trips to the store.
- Save money. When you plan ahead you can build meals around items on sale or in season.
- Use food well. Plan ahead to use what you have at home before it goes bad.
When the plan is in place and you have all the ingredients you need to create a fast, nourishing meal, you may find it easier to cook!
More ideas
- Use the same basic menu every two-four weeks. Some people call this a cycle menu. They are great for families with picky eaters.
- Try theme nights. For example: Taco Tuesday, Soupy Saturdays, or Breakfast for Dinner each Wednesday.
Follow the links below for more ways to save time in the kitchen:
Plan your menu
Menu planning is one of the best ways to save money on your food budget. It may take time to fit menu planning into your routine, but it has many benefits. You may find that you enjoy planning meals ahead!
Follow these 4 steps when you are menu planning:
- Check for foods you have at home. Look for foods that need to be used in your refrigerator and cupboard. By using these foods first, you can avoid food waste, save money, and clear space in your pantry.
- Consider visiting a food bank or using another other food assistance resource. For more information on where to look, visit the Live Well Food Resources Page.
- Check for sales, coupons and store specials. Save money by using items that are less expensive as a base for your meals. Plan your weekly menu around foods on sale.
- Write down the foods you need to complete the meal. Try to plan your meals and snacks using the food groups on MyPlate.
- Write your shopping list of the foods you need to buy. Be sure to include the amount needed for each food item.