Food planning: don’t do everything at once
Spending all day in the kitchen can be fun, but it's certainly not a joy for everyone. That's why my number one meal planning tip is to not do everything at once. Here are the steps to follow.
1. Plan the recipes
Start by taking a little time during the week to plan the recipes you want to make. This stage can be done with family, friends or even alone while relaxing with your coffee on Saturday morning. Try to have a source of protein, starch and vegetables. The task is done quickly when the inspiration is there, but can be more complex when you run out of ideas. One of our next publications will help you overcome the lack of inspiration.
2. Make the grocery list
Look at the list of ingredients you will need and list the items you need to buy at the grocery store. Then add the other basic items you will need during the week. Finally, look at the weekly flyer of your favorite grocery store(s) to find the best discounts.
3. Go grocery shopping
Choose the time of the week for groceries. This will take much less time than usual since you will have a clear list. You can always make this moment more fun by putting on an earphone to listen to music or your favorite podcast.
4. Make the recipes
Recipes can be made in advance by taking a moment to do them all like the principle of “meal prep”. On the other hand, it is also possible to do only certain steps in advance, which will help us reduce time in the kitchen on weeknights. To do this, read or think about the steps in your planned recipes to see what could be done in advance: marinades, food preparation, cutting vegetables, etc. Again, if cooking is not particularly one of your passions, you can take the opportunity to do it with a friend, family, or even listen to music that will put you in a good mood.
To help you, here are 2 very simple homemade pizza recipes ready in less than 15 minutes. Perfect for starting to cook more without being discouraged by the time that certain recipes can take or by the dishes. Serve with a nice salad to add even more freshness to the meal. Good food!
By: Joanie Séguin, Dt. P.
Nutritionnist, AXiO Clinique de médecine sportive