Hey guys! For the last few weeks I have been trying to plan out my meals to save some money and not to waste so much of what I eat or make. I will be giving you guys my routine on how I plan for my weekly food shop!
Before you start writing a list, CHECK YOUR CALENDAR. This is so you know when you'll be in or out for any meals of the day. If you have a significant other, then you will know if you have to cook two portions on that specific day or a meal for one. MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS.
The next step is to Come Up with This Week's MENU. This is the toughest part, because you keep thinking 'what if I crave this instead of this' on a certain day. If know you want a Domino's Pizza sometime this week, then put it down the menu! If you want to be more flexible with the whole take out situation, just write 'take out'. I recommend that as a treat though, so maybe Friday or Sunday for dinner? And another tip - Say for example you are having a steak on a Tuesday, you'll probably want something less meaty, so write down stir-fry for the next day. This will ensure you to follow your menu, because you're not getting repetitive-ish meals for the next couple of days. I nearly forgot! Another tip is to look through your cook books! Just flick through them and see if you fancy something in there and try it out!
After the brain storming, Check Out Your Food Situation. By this, I mean go down to your kitchen and check the cupboards and fridge. Just check out what you have and what you need before you write down your list.
Now comes the fun part, Writing Down Your Food Shop. Self explanatory. Tip: If you do not know what you want for desserts/snacks for the entire week, write down a maximum amount to spend on those categories for the week. I recommend £5 a week per person! (This ensure you won't go overboard on the sugar department)
The previous step was a lie, this is the fun part - actually buying the things on your list. Some people might find it easier to buy their food online, because it lightens the temptation of putting a ton of junk into their basket. I personally like to go into town and do the food shop, and I do this every Monday as it is very therapeutic. If you do go into town, be strict and keep reminding yourself to only buy things on the list!
And lastly, FOLLOW the actual menu. Again self explanatory. Note: If you cook double the portion and do not want to waste it, freeze the extra portion(s). You can eat this for the next week or the week after that - hassle free. And don't feel bad if you crave that sudden takeaway meal, just swap the meals round and have your Wednesday pasta on Sunday night instead of the takeaway.
That is all the tips I can think of when I do my food shop. I hope this will make you more efficient when it comes to prepping your meal! Have a wonderful week and I'll see you very soon!
Bye ♥