Menu planning

What is menu planning and what are the benefits?

Menu planning is about thinking through your household's meals in advance. It is an easy way to get organised for the week ahead and save time and money. By planning your meals and snacks, noting down what you need and then sticking to your shopping list, you will only buy the food and quantities you need, and that means less food waste.

Your menu plan will depend on what works best for you – you can plan for three meals a day, or get started by just planning your dinners – it is up to you!

Menu planning has some great benefits.

A menu plan will:

• reduce food waste – menu planning means you will only buy the food, and more importantly, the quantities you really need
• save you money – if you shop from a list developed from your menu plan you will be less likely to impulse buy or opt for take-away because you will already have everything you need at home
• save you time – you will be able to shop less often and you will be less likely to forget anything at the supermarket. You may also plan to buy your grocery needs on the way home from work and you will not have to make a separate trip
• reduce stress at dinner time – you will know what you are having for dinner and will not have the worry of ‘what are we having for dinner tonight?’
• improve nutrition – you will be able to clearly see which food groups you are serving and when; menu planning can help to ensure you and your family or housemates enjoy a varied and balanced diet.