I will admit: weekly meal planning is not my favorite task. In fact, I often don’t feel like doing it at all. I wait until the very last minute and can think of a million other things I would rather be doing. However, I still end up doing it week after week because I know the benefits far outweigh the hassle. Here are the top three reasons why I continue to meal plan week after week — and why you should consider it too! 

1. Meal planning will make your life easier. 

This is a fact. Figuring out what to eat day after day is exhausting. Add a job and maybe a handful of other life responsibilities on top of that, and this task becomes straight up impossible. The solution? Weekly meal planning. Although this task requires some work up front, it will save you so much time and energy throughout the week (not to mention, money, too). Not having to worry about what’s for dinner will make your life so much simpler. It will also free up an enormous amount of mental space you can use for other activities, such as your family, work or creative outlets. 

2. Meal planning will save you money. 

Without a weekly meal plan, you will likely resort to take out. The problem? It can be pricey to order food out. Having a weekly meal plan (and sticking to it) will save you a lot of money. It doesn’t mean you can’t order out. In fact, I encourage my clients to plan for take out when making a meal plan. However, it just means you aren’t ordering food on a whim when you are hungry, and stressed, and tired and not in a place to think about your weekly budget or health (see below). So, do yourself (and your wallet) a favor by planning for your meals each week. 

3. Meal planning can increase your health. 

Without a weekly meal plan, you are likely to make impulsive food decisions. You are likely to make food decisions based on how you are feeling or what you are craving.  While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, most people aren’t making healthy food choices when they are tired, stressed, hungry or taxed emotionally. I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly crave healthy food when I am stressed or overly hungry. I want quick, comfort foods like pasta, fries or tacos. So, if you want to eat healthier (and feel better overall), it’s a smart idea to plan your meals out ahead of time before the stress of the week sets in and takes over. Weekly meal planning often leads to healthier meals — and eating healthier meals will equal a healthier you. 

If you’re ready to start meal planning but don’t know where to start, stay tuned here on the blog over the next few weeks. I’m going to lay out exactly how to get started with my beginner’s guide to meal planning.