There are five factors you'll want to take into consideration when making your meal plan:
1. Available Time to Cook. Take a look at your week and determine how much time you have to cook.
2. Seasonal Food Availability.
3. Variety of Foods.
4. Special Occasions.
5. Financial Resources.
Explanation:
If there are a few busy days, you may want to grab a bagged salad that you can just open and serve; however, if your week is pretty uneventful, you'll be able to purchase separate salad ingredients and make your own. On days when you have a busy afternoon, plan a meal for the slow cooker that you can prepare in the morning and leave to cook during the day. Having a meal ready to go when you get home can make for a pleasant evening. Not only are seasonal foods more flavorful, but they also cost less. If you aren't sure which fruits and veggies are in season in your area, ask your grocer for a schedule. The five all-important food groups necessary for optimal nutrition include vegetables, fruits, proteins, grains and dairy. Use these categories to plan well-rounded meals. Go over your calendar and take note of any special occasions coming up that week. These will alter your normal meal plans. The last factor to consider when planning your weekly meals is how much money you have to spend. Quicken lists 15 percent of a person's income as the typical amount budgeted for food. This figure includes purchasing groceries and eating out. That means if your family makes $60,000 per year, you'll have about $173.08 per week to shop with. To get the most out of your money, plan meals around the sale items listed in your local grocery store's weekly flyer, or around any food items that you have coupons for.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
There are five factors you'll want to take into consideration when making your meal plan:
1. Available Time to Cook. Take a look at your week and determine how much time you have to cook.
2. Seasonal Food Availability.
3. Variety of Foods.
4. Special Occasions.
5. Financial Resources.
Explanation:
If there are a few busy days, you may want to grab a bagged salad that you can just open and serve; however, if your week is pretty uneventful, you'll be able to purchase separate salad ingredients and make your own. On days when you have a busy afternoon, plan a meal for the slow cooker that you can prepare in the morning and leave to cook during the day. Having a meal ready to go when you get home can make for a pleasant evening. Not only are seasonal foods more flavorful, but they also cost less. If you aren't sure which fruits and veggies are in season in your area, ask your grocer for a schedule. The five all-important food groups necessary for optimal nutrition include vegetables, fruits, proteins, grains and dairy. Use these categories to plan well-rounded meals. Go over your calendar and take note of any special occasions coming up that week. These will alter your normal meal plans. The last factor to consider when planning your weekly meals is how much money you have to spend. Quicken lists 15 percent of a person's income as the typical amount budgeted for food. This figure includes purchasing groceries and eating out. That means if your family makes $60,000 per year, you'll have about $173.08 per week to shop with. To get the most out of your money, plan meals around the sale items listed in your local grocery store's weekly flyer, or around any food items that you have coupons for.