4 Benefits of Meal Planning
By Virginia Laird
Forgetting to pause for a minute to plan and prepare small and simple things a person may have control over can wreak havoc on one's stress level, health, and diet. Planning meals can feel like a chore most of the time. However, there are many benefits that can accompany this task, making the time spent well worth it. Where there is a lack of planning, there is (typically) a lack of concern for the health of a person’s diet. Some of the benefits of meal planning include:
- Choosing healthier meals
- Never stress about dinner
- Always have breakfast
- Some meals can be prepared ahead of time
Choosing Healthier Meals
It is widely known that when people spend time planning meals, they generally pay attention to what they choose to serve. Many lean toward making healthier choices for themselves as well as their families.
Never Stress About Dinner
Planning meals ahead can be a working parent’s best friend. With the stress of work, traffic, and getting the kids from one thing to another, there is no time or energy left to spend stressing on what to have for dinner. Having a planned out menu can relieve this stress and allow for a more relaxing evening with the family.
Always Have Breakfast
If you are someone who finds yourself walking out the door having skipped breakfast, or grabbed a granola bar, meal planning can help. There is no need to limit the planning of meals to only dinner. Planning breakfasts can help ensure the whole family gets started on the right foot.
Some Meals Can Be Prepared Ahead
The best thing about meal planning is choosing meals that can be prepared ahead of time, then put in the freezer for later. For those days where there may not be enough hours in the day, having the prep work completed can help prevent a person from relying on the drive-thru for a meal.
If you struggle with meal planning, don’t give up right away and try not to tackle too much in the beginning. Some people suggest planning meals with a friend can help make the chore more enjoyable, and even go so far to suggest splitting the grocery bill and preparing a few meals ahead of time together. This can also add a new meal to the rotation, as planning meals with a friend can result in sharing recipes. Who knows, just maybe you and your family will learn to love meal planning and all the benefits.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Raleigh, N.C.