When you have lots of children, meal planning can be a bit of a nightmare, but there are a few ways you can not only make your life easier but also save money in the process! This article will explore some of the ways you can save time on meal planning and prep and make mealtimes a breeze!
Planning in Advance
Whilst it sounds counterproductive to sit and physically plan your meals at the start of the week, it is actually an extremely effective way of cutting time both in the supermarket and at home. It means you already know in advance what you are making that day. It also stops you overspending on items you won’t use whilst shopping, which is always a good thing.
Another benefit of meal planning in advance, is that you won’t be stuck for ideas and be tempted to order in that unhealthy pizza for ease! How exactly do you meal plan? Well, essentially, over time it will become easier, as you can create a binder full of recipes and just select from the binder on a Sunday evening for the week ahead. But in the beginning, you are simply mapping out what your family will eat for the week and creating a shopping list based on this.
Batch Cooking
Batch cooking is a wonderful way to save time and money in the kitchen. You will still plan your meals as discussed in the first section, but instead of cooking fresh every day, you will choose a day when you batch cook meals and freeze them for the family.
The main benefit of this, is that making dinner is often just a case of re-heating your pre-prepped meal, and so time is significantly reduced. So, if you are rushing in from work and thinking about dinner, this is a great alternative to salt and fat laden ready meals.
Convenience Foods
Whilst convenience foods are not always the healthiest option, there are times when there is simply a necessity for them. When choosing ready meals, try and choose healthy, low salt and fat options, especially if you are feeding them to your family.
In addition to this for yourself, if you are working but want to attempt to stick to some kind of healthy regime during the day, you may opt for a salad or even a meal replacement shakes. These shakes are often packed with protein and vitamins and minerals, so they are a great alternative to sandwiches or pastries when on the go.
Shake That Weight are a UK manufacturer of meal replacement shakes. They have a huge amount to choose from and you can shop their range of shakes packed full of flavour here. These great shakes will keep you full until your next meal so they are a great option for a fast daytime meal.
Being a busy mum is tough, but it doesn’t have to stop you and your family eating well. With a little preparation and planning you can save time and money, all while creating a nutritious, balanced diet for your loved ones.
