MEAL PLANNER

There are various benefits of using a meal planner, whether it is a formal planner or simply a few notes jotted down. A little pre- planning, can help you save time and money. Developing a meal plan can also help you eat a more nutritious, well-balanced diet that includes nutrient-rich foods from each of the five food groups. You may find that you can better manage your weight if you plan and prepare meals at home more often.

Here are some tips and ideas for developing and sticking to a meal plan:

• Create a two-week or one-month rotation of your favorite recipes and change-up as necessary
• Search for healthy recipes and get new ideas to make your diet interesting
• Plan meals that include foods from each food group
• Include snacks on your meal plan so that you can use them as opportunities to eat more nutritious foods
• Look for meals that use similar ingredients throughout the day to avoid waste
• Remember to include beverages in your meal plan to identify where you may be taking in empty calories or have opportunities to add food groups like milk or fruit.

Regardless of how you decide to meal plan, taking some time to think about preparing meals ahead will help you save time, money and eat healthier!