Menu Planning Done Right

Today’s hectic pace can make it difficult to sit down and enjoy a healthy meal. However, by planning ahead, you can make dinnertime a less stressful, and hopefully healthier, event. Grab a pencil, sit down, and plan your meals for the upcoming week. Ask for input from your family, or go through healthy cookbooks, such as The American Cancer Society’s Great American Eat-Right Cookbook , for inspiration. Think about how you can get as much mileage as possible out of a single ingredient. For example, you can use spinach for a side salad one night and filling for a healthy vegetable lasagna another night.

When possible, make fruits and veggies the star of your dishes; let lean proteins play the supporting role. Buy in bulk – you'll save money and have leftovers you can pull out of the freezer later. Think about ways you can make your dishes flavorful yet still healthful. For example, choose a sharp cheese so that you will be able to use less without compromising taste.

And finally, when you have a plan, post it on the fridge so you're guaranteed to stick to it.

With a little preparation, you and your family can enjoy tasty, healthful meals all week. Goodbye, drive-thru!

Learn more about the American Cancer Society’s guidelines for nutrition and physical activity

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