Plan once, eat well all week
Meal planning saves time and decision fatigue. Spend 45–60 minutes once a week to choose recipes, list ingredients, and map meals to your calendar. Small upfront effort frees evenings for work or rest.
Simple weekly workflow
- Choose 3–5 simple recipes that share ingredients.
- Check your week for late nights and social events; plan flexible meals for those days.
- Create a single shopping list organized by store section.
- Batch cook one or two components (grains, proteins, roasted vegetables).
- Assemble or reheat meals the night before when possible.
Batch cooking and smart storage
Batching reduces active cooking time. Cook staples in larger amounts and combine them in different ways across meals.
- Use clear, stackable containers and label with date and contents.
- Portion proteins and grains separately to keep textures fresh.
- Cool foods to room temperature before refrigerating to preserve quality.
Time saving meal ideas
- One-pan dinners that roast protein and vegetables together.
- Grain bowls with a base, protein, veggies, and a simple dressing.
- Sheet-pan meals, slow cooker soups, and stir-fries for fast assembly.
Minimal tools worth keeping
- Good knife and cutting board.
- Set of reusable containers with lids.
- Slow cooker or instant pot for hands-off cooking.
Start small, track what you actually eat, and tweak portions and variety each week. Consistency matters more than perfection.
Tags
Life Hack