Menu planning is an effective tool to provide better nutrition and save time and money for your family. Menu planning is done using a chart called the menu plan. It gives you a clear picture about what to buy, what to cook and also helps you maintain a proper diet. If you have a menu plan, you don’t need to visit the nearby supermarket frequently. Also, you don’t have to stock food items for a long period of time in your refrigerator. You just have to find out time and fill up the chart in order to save your earnings and valuable time.
The basic format of a menu plan consists of five columns and seven rows. The first column consists of weekdays. The next column is a recipe list during breakfast, lunch and dinner to the corresponding week days. The last column consists of the shopping list of raw items required to cook these recipes. There are also many other formats available where you can calculate your expenses and stock left for the next days. But usually the former one is used widely, since it is easy to fill out.
Writing a menu plan is not a difficult job, but making the most out of it needs a lot of effort. By following certain instructions you can easily make your own menu plan. The step by step instructions given below can help you complete the task effectively.
Step1
Firstly, set objectives to meet your desired goal. Your menu plan will depend on your objective For example; your objectives can be to have nutritional food or whether you are on an exercising schedule.
Step2
Make a list of recipes you want to cook for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day considering the nutritional value of it. You must remember the recipe you cook decides your diet plan
Step3
If you are worried about the nutritional value of the food items, do a little of research on the internet. There are various websites dedicated to such queries. Do not stick to menu plan you find on the internet because every person has a different metabolism.
Step4
The recipe list will help you decide what raw items you need to purchase. Make a list of food items to be purchased. Look out for food offers and promotion in the nearby store and make a rough menu plan.
Step5
While purchasing items look carefully the nutritional facts of the items purchased. Buy the products such as fruits, vegetables and salad items when they just arrive in the store.
Step6
After purchasing the items take time and keep them in the refrigerator in your desired manner. Check the rough plan and make changes to it if required.
Step7
There are seven days in a week, fill out the fair copy of the menu plan and write all recipes you want to cook each day. Keep your and your loved one's favorite dishes in some of the week days to keep up the satisfaction level.
Step8
After you have listed every thin now you have to judge your menu plan along with your family members and ask them for suggestions. You can share your menu plan with your neighbors and friends and ask for their help if needed.
1
Make calculations of your purchases from to save time and try to look for discounts or offers in the local market. Search the internet for prices if you are not sure about it. The shopping list will also help you to save time you need to place raw items in your kitchen before cooking.
2
Every individual has different metabolic rates due to genetic, hormonal or physical reason. Take this fact into consideration while making the chart.
3
Try to make changes in the chart every month in order to maintain variety in your nutrition.
4
Try to cook fresh items like salad and vegetable first after you purchase it from the store. This will help you get the most of a fresh item. Because certain research has proved that the nutritional value of fresh items changes, if kept in the refrigerator.
5
Strictly consider changing our menu plan if you are planning to have regular physical activities. During these period your nutrient requirements for the body changes.
6
There are various applications available for understanding the nutritional facts of different food items. You can use them to get the exact amount of calorie intake.
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