Advantages to Meal Planning
Why Plan Meals?
Meal planning and meal plans can save you time, headaches and much need money.
There are many advantages to planning meals on a limited budget for several days at a time, at least. If at all possible, you could gain even more advantage using a meal plan every day of the week. Once you get into the habit, the time involved will be minimal and the rewards great.
Four key advantages to planning ahead are as follows:
- Makes it easier to include a variety of foods from each food group, especially foods from subgroups that provide nutrients that are often low in the American diet.
- Saves money. When shopping for food, the food preparer will know what is needed and can buy only what the family will use. In addition, shopping lists can help avoid expensive impulse purchases. Preplanned quick meals can replace more costly convenience or ready-to-eat food items.
- Helps balance food choices. When a food relatively high in fat, sugars, or sodium is used, other food items that are lower in the same components can be used to go with it. For example, when ham is served for dinner, a fresh or frozen vegetable prepared without salt and lower sodium foods can be served with the ham.
- To save time and effort. When you plan meals, you have foods on hand and make fewer trips to the grocery store. Planning also helps you make good use of leftovers. This can cut your cooking time and food costs.
