Top 5 Health Benefits of Meal Planning

Top 5 Health Benefits of Meal Planning : Between TV cookery shows and Instagram, mouthwatering food inspiration has never been easier to find. Yet when it comes to actually cook these meals, it can be difficult to find the motivation.

Shopping, food prep, and cooking all take time. Yet research shows that time spent cooking has decreased from around 94 minutes in the 1960s to 58 min in 2006.

Meal planning is a great way to enjoy cooking and save time. It can also improve your health.

Wondering about the health benefits of meal planning? Read on to learn more!

You Can Plan Your Nutrition

It’s easy to assume we’re getting the right nutrients when we go from meal to meal. Yet when you sit down and plan out a week’s menu, it’s easier to spot gaps.

You can plan meals using a variety of foods to give you a bigger range of nutrients. Or you can add certain foods if you know you’re deficient in those nutrients.

It’s also a good way to get started on diets like keto or intermittent fasting. You’ll know what you’re eating and when.

If you’re looking for a nutritionally-based meal-planning guide, check out this page.
You Can Cut Down on Stress

Cooking can be an unnecessary cause of stress in a busy day. The last thing you often want to think about is what to have for dinner.

Knowing in advance what you’re going to prepare gives you one less thing to worry about. It also means you can plan meals according to how much time you need.

So, you might plan a quick meal on a night when you know you’ll be late home. Whereas you can plan more intricate meals on lazy weekend days.
You’ll Waste Less Food

Putting together a meal plan lets you work around the food items you already have. When you go shopping, you only buy what you need for each meal.

This means you don’t put things into your shopping cart that you don’t need. No more buying something thinking you’ll figure out what to do with it later!

You’ll also be able to batch cook, meaning you can enjoy homemade meals from the freezer instead of turning to takeout.
Meal Planning Saves Time

The time-saving element is one of the best reasons to plan your meals. Knowing what to cook ahead of time cuts down on the prep for it.

If you’ve batch cooked, it also means that you can avoid prep entirely. Simply defrost and reheat your homemade meal instead of waiting for a takeout delivery to arrive.

The importance of meal planning is its ability to let you enjoy your meals. Food can be fun, not just fuel.
It’s Easier to Lose Weight

When you make your own meals, you can have total portion control. That means no more overeating or wasting food.

You’ll also find that it’s easier to make meals with no added sugar or preservatives. Use spices and herbs to add flavor instead.

Homemade meals don’t have the same unnatural ingredients as their pre-packed alternatives.

Those Are the Benefits of Meal Planning

Now you know the health benefits of meal prepping. There are other benefits, like saving money and eating mindfully.

Yet it offers the ability to enjoy food and cooking again. Even if you’re too busy to do either of those things!

Check out our diet and nutrition articles for more great tips about cooking and meal planning.