Meal Planning for Busy Parents
Are you heading back to work after having a baby, or maybe you’re juggling more hours at work, volunteering or studying? Balancing everything can be tough, but meal planning doesn’t have to be. Here are a few tips to help you get dinner on the table with less stress.
Plan Ahead
- Weekly Meal Planning: Sit down and take a few minutes to plan your meals for the week. Check what you already have in your pantry, fridge and freezer. Having a list of your family’s favourite meals can be a lifesaver. Choose quick and easy recipes on your busiest days.
- Shopping List: Knowing what you need and what you don’t, can be very helpful. Online grocery shopping with pick up or delivery options can save you precious time.
- Backup Meals: Keep a list of simple, go-to-meals for those nights when things don’t go as planned. Eggs or baked beans on toast, canned soup or toasted sandwiches are all delicious last minute options.
- Cook Extra: Whenever possible, cook extra portions and freeze the leftovers. Dishes like spaghetti bolognese or shepherd’s pie both reheat well. You can even serve the leftovers a different way e.g. turn bolognese sauce into lasagne.
Prepare Early
- Prep Fruits and Veggies: Wash and cut up fruit and vegetables a few days ahead. This makes them easy to grab and add to meals when you need them. Store cut fruit and vegetables in containers in the fridge.
- Night Before Prep: Get ingredients ready the night before. These can be added to a quick stir-fry or curry at the end of the day or even put in a slow cooker in the morning.
- Snacks for Kids: If your children are finding it hard to wait for dinner, give them meal ingredients to snack on while you finish cooking. Vegetable sticks* or grated cheese can make a quick and easy appetizer.
*These are high choking risk foods for children under three years. Always watch children while they are eating.
Accept Help
Every family is different, but if you have a partner, try to share household tasks like cooking. If family, friends or neighbours offer to help with a meal, take them up on it! It can make a big difference.
Be Kind to Yourself
Returning to work means a change in your family’s routine, and that’s okay. It might take some time to get used to, so be gentle with yourself if things don’t always go to plan at mealtimes. Remember, no one is perfect.
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