March marks National Nutrition Month, a month dedicated to focusing attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This week we have Molly Ward, RD, CDN, CDE Whitney Young Health’s Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator giving you the (easy) tips on how you and your family can meal plan.
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One of the most effective ways to cut back on food waste is planning ahead. You might ask, “How do I plan ahead?” Let’s walk through the steps together!
1. Map out your meals
- Use calendar for organization
- Plan out breakfast, lunch and dinner (include snacks if they are a part of your diet)
- Think about your schedule, plan meals accordingly.
- Quick meal or leftovers on busy days
- New recipes or longer recipes on off days
- Check to see what you already have, think of meals that incorporate these items. (This will help you save money and reduce food waste)
- Need meal ideas? Check of the recipe sites below:
- https://whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/featuredlinks/HarvestofRecipes.pdf
- https://whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/featuredlinks/cookbook-homes.pdf
- https://whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/featuredlinks/HealthyTastyAffordableLatinCooking.pdf
- http://www.diabetes.org/mfa-recipes/recipes/recipes-archive.html
- BONUS! Involving your family, especially children in the meal planning process can help lessen push-back at meal times and reduce stress at the grocery store. Kids will learn important life skills to help them achieve lifelong health.
2. Make a grocery list from your meal plan.
3. STICK TO THE GROCERY LIST AT THE STORE!
4. Do as much meal prep as you can on your days off
- Examples: bake chicken breasts, chop and wash vegetables/fruits so ready to eat or cook, make lunches for the week, etc.)
- Planning ahead does take time and commitment but the payoffs of saved food, money, reduced stress and improved eating habits are well worth it. Try it out!
For more information or if you want to make an appointment with Molly Ward, RD, CDE, call Whitney Young Health at (518) 465-4771.