Why I love meal planning!

For a good part of my life I didn't meal plan and I would always find myself stood in front of the fridge on an evening wondering what to cook for myself and my family. A few months after I started blogging I came across a meal plan linky. Fun fact, it was the first ever linky that I joined in with in the blogging world. My meal planning journey started there, I joined in most weeks even after the linkies stopped I carried on meal planning!

One of the biggest reasons I swear by meal planning is the reduction in stress. I’m not naturally the most organised person so having a plan in place for meals takes a huge weight off my shoulders. When I know what’s on the menu for the week I can focus on enjoying the cooking process rather than dreading it. Cooking has become something I actually look forward to and love now.

Another huge perk of meal planning is how much healthier we eat. When I used to wing it with meals I'd often end up going for whatever was quickest and easiest which usually wasn’t the healthiest option. Now that I plan ahead I make sure we're eating balanced meals with plenty of veggies. Meal planning is not about being perfect, we still love our comfort foods and treats but meal planning helps find that balance.

I used to waste so much money on the food shop buying things that we didn’t end up using and on last minute takeaway orders but meal planning has totally turned that around. When I plan my meals I’m way more intentional about what I buy. I make a list, stick to it and avoid those impulse purchases that used to sneak into basket. It also means less food waste. No more sad, wilted veggies at the bottom of the fridge or some forgotten leftovers that we didn’t get around to eating. Everything I buy has a purpose now and that’s incredibly satisfying.

One thing I love about meal planning is how we eat a lot of food we wouldn't when I didn't meal plan. Instead of defaulting to the same old recipes over and over again I now take the time to explore new dishes and flavours. That is partly down to the Gousto boxes that I get and partly down to finding recipes from reading blogs. It’s so much fun to try out a new recipe, especially when you know you have all the ingredients ready to go after you have meal planned!

Meal planning gives me the freedom to mix things up during the week. I can plan for a mix of quick and easy meals on busy nights and meals which take more time to cook when I have the time. It keeps things interesting and ensures we never get bored with what we're eating.

Meal planning has truly been a game changer for me. It’s brought more joy, less stress, and better health into my life all while saving me money and time. If you’re not already a meal planner, I highly recommend giving it a shot. It could sound like a lot of work but trust me, it’s way easier and more fun than you might think!

Coming soon is a blog post with top tips for meal planning!

Do you meal plan?