How to Start Weekly Meal Planning as a New Mom
As any new mom can tell you, taking care of a newborn can be a time consuming task. Between feedings, diaper changes and tummy time, there’s barely enough time to scarf down a meal – let alone a healthy one. Let’s face it, life with a newborn can be hectic! But that’s where weekly meal planning comes in. By planning your meals in advance, you already know what you’re going to make, and what you need to buy to make it. It will make grocery shopping for your family easier by providing you with a specific grocery list – no more wandering the aisles! Meal planning takes the guesswork out of your daily meals - no more debating what to have for dinner every night. We’ve compiled the top 4 meal planning tips below to help you get started.
Why should I start meal planning?
1. It Saves You Time
Meal planning can save you a ton of time every night. Instead of debating what to make every night or whether you have the right ingredients, you’ll have your meals planned in advance and the ingredients already in your fridge. That’s because with a few minutes spent each week planning your meals and shopping accordingly, you’ll know exactly what you’re making and what you need to get it done. Your grocery shop will be faster too because you won’t have to spend time wandering the aisles wondering what to make during the week.
2. It Saves You Money
By planning your meals ahead of time, you can plan around sales, seasonal produce and whole foods. Meal planning also helps curb the need to eat out and helps you buy less expensive convenience foods. It also saves you money by cutting down on food waste in your kitchen – you’re only buying what you need for the week.
3. It Makes Life Easier
You’re already busy enough as it is with your newborn baby, why make it any harder on yourself? Meal planning takes the stress out deciding what to have for dinner. You don’t have to spend time every night thinking about what to put on the dinner table.
Ready to get started? Here are 4 weekly meal planning tips to help you:
Before you head to the grocery store, take a look to see what you already have in your fridge/pantry. You most likely have a few of the staple ingredients on your list. Not only will this help to save you money, it can also help you choose your meals based on some of the things you already have on hand.
As any new mom can attest, having a baby can be expensive! So saving some money at the grocery store can be a huge help! As you plan your weekly meals, take advantage of the sales at your local grocery store. Plan your meals according to what’s on sale that week.
Grocery stores have sales all the time but did you know you can often get things even cheaper with coupons, discount codes or store loyalty cards? Clip coupons from local flyers or check the loyalty card program of your local store to see if there are bonus coupons you can use on your groceries.
Once you’ve chosen your recipes or meals, make a list of the items that you’ll need. The key to meal planning (especially on a budget) is to make sure you stick to the list you’ve created once you’re at the store. Try to avoid impulse buys and purchasing ingredients you don’t need. Some stores will even offer online shopping (with free pickup) which can help curb those impulse buys and keep you on budget.
Meal planning doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. All it takes is a little organization and a few minutes of your time each week. It’s as simple as planning your meals on a Sunday for the week ahead and grocery shopping accordingly. It might feel overwhelming to start meal planning, but once you do you won’t regret it. It will make your life just that much easier. And as a new mom, who doesn’t want that? For even more ways to make your life easier as a new mom, check out Bubzi Co. Their nursery decor products, like the Animal Print Nursery Storage Basket or the Baby Sleep Soothing Owl with Night Stars Projector and Music, are designed with the new mom in mind to help you take care of your newborn with ease.
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