Quickly Creating a Meal Plan that isn't Boring
I hate eating the same thing for lunch or dinner which does cause a problem when creating a meal plan. It seems we either have to spend too much time in the kitchen or eat the same thing. My approach is to build out three dinners first using the same protein and veggie. Then repeat for the other 2-3 meals (depending on how often you eat out) with a different protein and veggie. At least 2 of the meals need to be easy throw together meals (30 min or less) and most should make enough for a lunch leftover. All you have to worry about is breakfast!
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Pick your protein – this is *typically* the most expensive part of your meal so that’s the best place to start. (Usually I’m craving a specific meal so I start with that protein)
Pick your green(s) – what vegetables will you have on hand? I typically get this from the 1 meal I’m craving. Try to pick 2-3 and then mix and match each meal.
Reuse – Besides the main meal or two that you really want, how else can you repurpose the protein and green? A couple ways to do that:
By delivery: by dough (bread / pizza/ flatbread), by taco (yes it is its own category, by grain (pasta, quinoa, rice), simple (i.e. protein with veggie as a side)
By flavor: Mexican, Greek, Italian, Indian, Asian, American
Repeat with each type of protein. You’ll end up with a full plan that should use up all your protein and main veggies!
Example:
If Chicken is my protein and Kale is my veggie:
By Delivery:
Simple: Roasted Chicken with a lemon kale salad
Dough: White Chicken Pizza with crispy kale topping
Grain: Chicken pasta with a kale pesto
By Flavor
Greek: Chicken marinated in tzatziki sauce, baked and served with a lemon kale and risotto base
Indian: chicken curry with kale wilted at the end
American: Chicken noodle soup with carrots, kale, white beans
Photo by Vegan Liftz on Unsplash
