How to Meal Plan Foods for Kids
Become an expert in the art of meal planning for kids and ease your busy parenting life. With these tips, even picky eaters will be looking forward to mealtimes!
Ever spent hours on a delicious meal only to face your child's rejection? Say goodbye to wasted efforts! Learn to plan meals that your kids will not just eat—but LOVE—saving you time and money.
Inventory Your Kitchen – Before planning, inventory your kitchen. Check your fridge, freezer, and pantry, and make a note of all items, focusing on perishables. This ensures nothing goes to waste, like using chicken nearing its expiry in Monday's meal plan.
Involve the Kids – Involve kids of all ages in meal planning. Let them collectively choose one meal per week and introduce a veto system. Encourage trying new foods – celebrate trying a new dish with a treat. This empowers your kids in decision-making and teaches the value of meal planning to stay on budget.
Weekly Meal Plans: Keep It Simple – Simplify your life with weekly meal plans. Meal planning is perfect for staying motivated and budget-friendly. If plans derail or you miss an ingredient, improvise with what you have on hand.
Double and Freeze – Maximize your effort by doubling recipe. This makes future meals effortless. Check our list for freezable meals and stock up on foil pans for convenience.
Daily Themes – Struggling with meal ideas? Assign a daily theme to simplify recipe hunting and add fun. Kids will love themed meals!
Prepare Meals Early – Prevent last-minute rushes by prepping in advance. Wash and chop veggies and fruits after grocery shopping. Pre-cook meats for quick assembly later. Prepare breakfasts and lunches ahead for grab-and-go ease. Involve your kids in prepping, using kid-friendly tools for safety.
Shop Online for Budgeting – Online grocery shopping helps stay on budget, avoiding impulse buys. It's convenient, offers easy coupon clipping, and lets you focus on sale items. Prefer traditional shopping? No problem! Shop sales and stock up on good deals.
Embrace these tips for meal planning with kids and become a meal prep pro! Share your success, get ideas from other parents, and join local events at:
Share your tips with us at info@IWIC.ca
