14 Common Meal Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Meal planning is a miraculous way to save money, cut back on food waste, and better prioritize your time. That is, if you do it correctly. Meal planning mistakes are much more common than you would think, and sadly, these mishaps cause many people to stop food prep altogether. We detail the biggest blunders that beginners make, and how to avoid them, so that you can make the most out of your meals!
Mistake #1: Only Prepping One Day a Week
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Sunday is a spectacular day to dedicate to food prep, but if you hope to have fresh ingredients for every meal, it’s important to spread out your meal planning days. This can allow you to replenish ingredients that will lose their luster after a few days have gone by. We advise meal prepping every three to four days to prevent this problem.
Mistake #2: Not Keeping Your Schedule in Mind
Meal planning is not a one size fits all process. What works for one family will not work for another. For instance, if you are always on the go, then preparing meals that need to be eaten hot or require a table for cutting may not be ideal. You need to choose dishes that are best suited for your lifestyle and dietary needs. Thus, as you get ready to prep your meals for the week, take a look at your calendar to see where you will be and what types of meals will fit this schedule.
Mistake #3: Picking the Wrong Containers
Are you meal prepping foods to eat at home or on the go? Does the dish need to be reheated in the microwave or in the oven? Will you be serving out of the container or eating out of it? These are all questions to ask yourself before divvying out your dish. Glass containers are not ideal for on the go or for young kids. Conversely, plastic containers won’t stand a chance in the oven.
Think about who you are serving and where the dish will be eaten before loading things up. Also, consider your storage situation. Stackable food containers can be a huge space saver in your cupboards, and stores like Costco sell them in bulk for an affordable price.
Mistake #4: Forgetting About Storage Space
Speaking of storage, it’s not only the cupboard that matters. If you make food in bulk without enough fridge and freezer space, then waste is inevitable. When planning for the week, take a look at what’s already in the fridge and freezer. This can help to further reduce food waste and save you from having to play a game of Tetris later.
Mistake #5: Being Overly Ambitious
Trying new recipes is always fun, but making a new dish in bulk isn’t always the best idea. Why? First, you have no idea if you will actually like it or not. How sad would it be to find that you have four days worth of food that you absolutely hate?
Second, you have no idea how it will keep. Some foods do well for days and others need to be eaten quite quickly before they start to fade. This means that if you want to try out a new recipe, do it on a small scale before adding it to your meal prep menu rotation.
Mistake #6: Avoiding Creativity
On the opposite end of the spectrum, another big meal planning mistake that people make is prepping boring dishes. Grilled chicken, brown rice, and broccoli is a healthy combo, but let’s be honest, it’s bland on a good day. When making your meals, consider adding a bit of variety and zest to keep you excited about mealtimes.
For example, keep the grilled chicken and broccoli, but consider preparing a side stir fry sauce for a few meals and then swapping out the rice for pasta on the other days and packing marinara and cheese to have an Italian meal. This can give you variety while still using the same main ingredients. And for the folks who want to limit their calories, skip the sauce, but don’t skimp on flavor. Add spices to give your meal some zip!
Check Out: One Sheet Broccoli & Chicken Recipe
Mistake #7: Not Considering Sauces, Oils, and Fats
And while we’re talking about sauces, another major meal prepping mistake that people make is applying the sauces and spreads to the dish on the day of prep. This makes everything soggy.
The same goes for when you’re cooking. If you neglect to drain out the excess oil and fat before transferring your food to the storage container, you’re going to have a gooey mess for lunch. Talk about an appetite suppressor!
The best way to prevent this is to buy condiment containers to keep your sauces and dressings on the side and to purchase compartment style containers. Also, let your meats drain on a cooling rack or paper towel before transferring them to your containers.
Mistake #8: Skipping Out on Sides
Meal planning for lunches and quick dinners can make your life so much easier, if you take the time to actually prepare a balanced meal. The intent should always be to make something that will fill you up. In other words, don’t forget the sides! Have a starch, a fruit and vegetable, and even a dessert.
Mistake #9: Forgetting Snacks
Even with a full meal, many times, we need a little extra fuel to help us get through the day. Another big meal planning mistake is not thinking about all the times you like to eat. Some people can manage just fine eating three meals a day, but if you’re like me, you prefer to graze. This means prepping multiple smaller dishes that can keep you energized until you get home.
Mistake #10: Not Planning Your Dishes in Advance
One of the keys to success when it comes to meal planning is forethought. Planning your dishes while shopping at the grocery store is a recipe for disaster. You’re not only more likely to forget ingredients, but you may also purchase too many or too few of the ingredients needed for the recipe. By planning what you want to make in advance, you can save yourself time and money later.
Mistake #11: Making Meal Prep a One Man Show
If you are prepping food for the family, then it should be a family affair. One of the hardest parts of meal planning is all the busy work that comes with getting the ingredients ready to cook. Instead of putting all the work on one person’s plate, get everyone involved. This can be a great time for family bonding and a spectacular way to cut down on the time it takes to get your food ready for the week.
Mistake #12: Not Coordinating Tasks
If your family likes to prep multiple meals at once to freeze for later, it’s important to look at the dishes on the menu and the ingredients that compare. For example, if two of your three dishes require sautéed onions, it’s more time effective to prep enough onions for both dishes at the same time. Be strategic with your food prep to cut back on the number of dishes you need to wash and your time in the kitchen.
Mistake #13: Not Planning, After Planning
Say what? Okay hear me out—you took the time to make lasagna, chicken fajitas, and chili for your family to eat later in the week. You packaged it up and froze it so that it would stay at the peak of freshness. Now that you’re done with the prep, it’s important to plan when you will actually eat these dishes. Why? Because they will need ample time to defrost. By taking the time to think about your weekly menu in advance, you can make a note to pull it out the night before and avoid a long wait for dinner.
Mistake #14: Skipping Out on Freezer Basics
Freezer burn is the arch nemesis of meal planners. You spend all this time and effort making quick and easy meals to pull out of the freezer for a fast feast, only to find that your food has become dry, tough, and leathery. If you plan to make meals in bulk and freeze them for later, it’s essential that you store them correctly.
My favorite tool is the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer. This device can be used to store meats, vegetables, fruits, desserts, and even soups. Best of all, it eliminates freezer burn altogether and extends the life of your dishes!
However, if you’re making dishes like lasagna that are needing to go back in the oven, you also have the option of storing them in aluminum containers, covering the dish with cling wrap, followed by a tight layer of aluminum foil. This can limit the instance of freezer burn and make for an easy transfer to the cooking space on the day you plan to serve.
Simplify Your Life With Meal Planning
With enough practice, meal planning mistakes won’t happen! When starting out just remember to start small. Prep a few dinners and build up from there. Soon you will be saving time and money and eating healthier than you ever imagined!
Simple Dinner Recipes
Get started with meal planning with these easy dinner recipes:
