Top Meal Planning Tips For Working Moms

Are you a busy working mom with so many things in your head? There you have 6 meal planning hacks for working mom.

 Meal planning for busy working moms should be organized, flexible, and quick. 

I think that Meal planning should be refreshingly simple and combines what we consistently talk about: a little organization, list-making, and strategic grocery shopping.

So everyone needs to give themselves some flexibility to allow for creativity or satisfy a craving, which is very important during meal planning and prepping. 

I am also more than happy to share with you some of our meal planning tips for how you can do this in your own home, a

Firstly I would remind you of the best meal strategy that does meal planning and saves you more money.

These effective meal planning hacks for busy working moms guide you to walk you through every step without any stress.

Before profoundly going into the vital 6 meal planning tips, let’s talk about meal planning.

What is meal planning?

Meal planning is simply a plan which is ready with all your recipe ingredients for instant cooking.

This may keep you away from everyday grocery shopping and saves you money and food waste.

As I mentioned above, always follow those three steps…

Start on weekends

I know weekends are a time for our chilling out and relaxation. But if you are ready to spend some time for meal planning and meal prep during weekends, your weekdays will be less stressful and manageable.

Shop your groceries on Saturday morning ( less rush timing in the shop) and then prep your meal.

Things you should know about meal planning

Meal planning should be a strategy for stressless everyday life, not for stressful daily life

1. Seems like very tough task

Meal planning is not a tough job. When you get started, you may think it like a chore. Once you practice it, you see how effortless to make each meal during the week.

2. Homely food every day

We are big fans of takeaways If we don’t have time to make them instantly or tired. But meal planning makes us cook food effortlessly if we are tired.

3. Money-Saving

If you can master meal planning and meal prep, you can easily save a lot of money.

Do you need meal planning?

Before getting started into 6 meal planning hacks, you should assess yourself and ask yourself these questions:-

• Are you interested in meal planning?
• Do you want to prevent food waste?
• Do you want to eat a variety of foods?
•  Want to eat better?
• Want to be ready with meals for your family?
• Enjoy stress-free weekends?

If you are a beginner, start with one meal that is easy for you

6 Meal Planning Tips For Working Moms

An effective meal planning system has six main vital steps

1. Select easy recipes
2. Make a wise grocery list
3. Grocery shopping 
4. Prep your meal
5. Cook in bulk
6. Make Freezer Meals

1. Select easy recipes

Choose your recipes carefully for meal planning. Selecting easy recipes is the vital meal planning hacks for working mom.

I think this is the most crucial step to follow.

It would be best if you considered all of your family members during this step. Start planning and thinking about your meal plan two days in advance.

Only then will you be getting time for making a shopping list, grocery shopping, and finally, meal prep.

 Rules for picking the right recipe

• Cook recipes you know

Take a list of recipes you know. Don’t try any new recipes.

• Pick everyday ingredient recipes.

Start shopping from your kitchen. Look at what you already have in your pantry, refrigerator. This is a fantastic money-saving tip for meal planning.

• Pick recipes that can be eaten as leftovers.

Recipes which can be eaten as leftovers are so good. This is my favorite part, and I like to turn out my pieces during dinner meals.

2. Make a wise grocery list (Take stock)

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Double-check your pantry and refrigerator before making a grocery list because you don’t want to spend money on the things you already have.

Don’t get overwhelmed!

Once you get the idea gradually, you can become an expert.

Consider keeping the pantry items on the list so that you can restock your pantry. You never know when that extra pantry will come in handy. 

I’m cooking is based on what’s currently in my refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. It is the best way to avoid food waste and use up the ingredients we have on hand before buying something new.

3. Grocery Shopping

Usually, around Friday, I’ll give my fridge and pantry a once over.

I want to know if there are any leftovers that I can use on the weekend or that can be used in the next week’s meal plan before grocery shopping.

 Weekends are a perfect time for throwing leftover food together into breakfast and dinner. After I finish my leftover, I usually go for a quick wiping up. 

Don’t forget the reusable bag before you go to the grocery store.

4. Prep the meal 

Photo by Alyson McPhee on Unsplash

Now you did your grocery shopping. And it’s time for meal prep. Meal planning and meal prepping are two separate processes, and you need to set aside time for both of them.

Once you have your menu in place, sit down with the recipes and make a prep list for each one.

Write down what needs to be done with every ingredient and how far in advance you can prep. I always recommend you to set an hour on Sunday for chopping fruits and vegetables and store them properly.

You can do some batch cooking like cook your dal for dal fry or sambar. Be ready with your time-consuming meals, such as non-veg meals or other time-consuming food items.

 What you should plan depends on the recipe for the week, and be ready with it.

5. Cook in bulk

Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

Now your meal prepping is done! Now cooking time, and I recommend you to go for bulk cooking.

One of the benefits of thinking ahead and planning your meals is making extra of a recipe, so you have enough for leftovers another night or freezing for a busy week. 

6. Make Freezer Meals

When you have some meals already prepared in the freezer, you don’t need to stress your meals.

As I told you before, you don’t need to feel bad about ordering unhealthy.

This is the most stress-less process I love. I don’t know how to explain to you how this made my life so easier. 

The freezer meals are my favourite way for time-saving dinners, which is the best way of prepping dinner.

I prep all the favourite meals of our family and make them into two to three batches.

Later on, I can defrost it and put it away directly into the pan or pot. You may need to set a reminder to take it out of the freezer. 

The essential tip for freezer cooking is bulk cooking.

Busy working moms need a break sometimes. I hope you got some effective meal planning hacks that make your day stress-free! And I’m damn sure that you will have quick and healthy meals for your hungry family.

What are your go-to convenience meals?  

If you have any other hacks like this, let me know in the comment box down below.