{"id":691,"date":"2024-03-14T15:29:02","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T10:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shanafoods.ca\/blog\/?p=691"},"modified":"2024-03-21T12:45:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T07:45:47","slug":"5-tips-for-healthy-meal-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shanafoods.ca\/blog\/5-tips-for-healthy-meal-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Healthy Meal Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sticking to healthy meal eating can be tough when life gets busy. But planning your meals ahead of time can help you eat better and save money.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meal planning isn&#8217;t just about saving time and money; it&#8217;s also about eating fewer calories and having a good relationship with <a href=\"https:\/\/shanafoods.ca\/\">food<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To kickstart your journey towards healthier eating habits, consider integrating advice from experts like Bariatric Dietitian Audra Wilson, RD, LDN, from Northwestern Medicine Delnor Metabolic Health and Surgical Weight Loss Center.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Take it Step by Step<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting on a meal plan journey may initially seem daunting, but remember, progress is achieved one step at a time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Begin by setting manageable goals, such as planning just two or three meals per week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lunches, in particular, present a good starting point, especially for individuals balancing work commitments or catering to the dietary needs of children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allocate a dedicated day for meal prep. By setting aside a couple of hours, you&#8217;ll be able to focus on assembling nutritious meals that align with your dietary goals and preferences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Balance your Plate<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what is the best way to balance your plate?<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allocate 25% of your plate to lean protein sources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dedicate another 25% to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">carbohydrates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like <a href=\"https:\/\/shanafoods.ca\/shop\/naans-and-chapatis\">naans &amp; chapatis<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fill the remaining 50% with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">non-starchy <a href=\"https:\/\/shanafoods.ca\/shop\/frozen-vegetables-and-fruits\">vegetables<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like okra, amla, tuvar, or arvi.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overtime, consider\u00a0 tweaking the formula by increasing <a href=\"https:\/\/shanafoods.ca\/shop\/frozen-vegetables-and-fruits\">vegetable<\/a> portions and reducing reliance on carbohydrates.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Cook Extra for Later<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you&#8217;re cooking for just a few people, making extra food can be really helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose recipes that you can freeze and reheat easily. This way, you&#8217;ll have leftovers ready to go when things get busy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dividing meals into single servings helps you avoid wasting food and makes mealtimes easier to manage. It&#8217;s a simple way to have a quick meal on hand for those times when cooking from scratch seems overwhelming.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Snack Wisely<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to snacking, it&#8217;s essential to choose options that not only satisfy your cravings but also provide a boost of energy and nutrition. Instead of reaching for sugary treats or processed snacks, opt for wholesome alternatives that fuel your body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider stocking up on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shanafoods.ca\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nutrient-rich options<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like <a href=\"https:\/\/shanafoods.ca\/shop\/frozen-vegetables-and-fruits\">fruits<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/shanafoods.ca\/shop\/frozen-vegetables-and-fruits\">vegetables<\/a>, or nuts and seeds. These snacks are not only convenient but also packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re craving something like chips, try air-popped popcorn seasoned with herbs and spices or whole-grain crackers paired with hummus or guacamole.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Get the Family Involved<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transform meal planning into a shared family activity by involving your loved ones in the process. Not only does this foster a sense of accountability, but it also cultivates positive attitudes toward food and instills lifelong habits of healthy eating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage participation from even the pickiest of eaters \u2013 cooking together presents an opportunity for fun, experimentation, and, above all, quality time spent as a family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorporating these strategies into your meal planning routine promises not only improved health and well-being but also a newfound appreciation for the joys of wholesome, home-cooked meals. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and LET&#8217;S GO!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sticking to healthy meal eating can be tough when life gets busy. But planning your meals ahead of time can help you eat better and save money. Meal planning isn&#8217;t just about saving time and money; it&#8217;s also about eating fewer calories and having a good relationship with food. To kickstart your journey towards healthier [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":222,"featured_media":692,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[37,35,33,34,36],"class_list":{"0":"post-691","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured","8":"tag-frozen-foods","9":"tag-fruits","10":"tag-healthy-meal","11":"tag-shana-foods","12":"tag-vegetables"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>5 Tips for Healthy Meal Planning - Shana-Foods<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sticking to healthy meal eating can be tough when life gets busy. 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