How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

[SunflowerOtter]

Just curious about how much time you all spend planning your weekly / daily menus ?

I seem to spend a crazy amount of time . . .

[Barbde]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

It will get easier Sunflower. I really don't think too much about it anymore. But sometimes I am looking for something new and/or different and I will spend some time perusing recipes. Sometimes I start with a plan and end up with something totally different than what my original intention was. I have steaks and veggies in the frig and that was going to be my plan yesterday. Ended up being Chicken Parmesan and spaghetti squash. The longer you do this the more options are available to you and the better you shop. Hang in there!!

[ValidRouge]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

I'm the same as Barb. In the beginning I planned and read cookbooks and surfed web sites. I still do on occasion when I want something new, but I've found so many recipes and ways of cooking that I can usually whip something up pretty quick.

I don't do fitday anymore unless I run into a problem, or a new recipe that I want to check carb counts on.

[BestestNana]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

Seems like I spend lots of time, too....but it's sooo important...in the long run it saves time to be organized and know what you are eating each meal...

[dreamof145]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

When I first started this WOE, I'd copy all the recipes and put them in a folder, try all kinds of new items, write out shopping lists, and even look stuff up on the internet to see what others were eating. Now, I know what I like, I shop with ease, cook up my meals without making a regular weekly menu chart and always keep snacks available without thinking about it.

It really does become easier as it becomes a habit.

[Elizellen]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

Like the others I spent an inordinately long time when I started with carb counter, notebook and pencil in hand working out different food combinations to get as close to the 20 carbs, over half of which from vegetables and was pleased to discover www.fitday.com 6 months later which took the mental stress off me!!

I still use fitday to log what I eat as I am more used to what suits me and find the ratios tend to fall into the desired perce tages most days without having to think about them.

But I do use it as a planning aid from time to time when I introduce a new food to my menus.

[IrishIrish]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

I'll join the chorus! It took me a lot of extra time when I first began Atkins. Veggies weren't an everyday occurence and it seemed like a lot of work. Now, I'm into a routine and there isn't so much work that goes into shopping for groceries. I usually cut up veggies I know I'll be using for stir fry ahead of time. I'm also a big fan of cooking once and eating multiple times, so I cook ahead and freeze things whenever I can.

Best wishes to you and it will get less labor intensive.

[boonie stomper]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

Can only say meal prepping for a new WOE is like walking. You gotta learn to crawl, then take baby steps first. Eventually, with a little diligent effort, choosing and measuring the right foods in the right proportions becomes second nature.

For those who find they don't have enough time, here's a plan to help, if you're a busy mom like me:

Thrifty, Time-saving Adventure Cooking:

First, let me say some of us moms are Re-e-e-a-l-l-y pressed for time, and for those who are the sole bread-maker (I mean bacon retriever!), money as well.
I can pinch blood from a penny and cook 8 or more meals in 2 hours (not that I don't ever splurge or spend 2 hours preparing just one! )

Here's the technique: Buy your groceries in packages containing enough for 2-3 meals' portions. Do this no more than twice/week. Include variety of meat, seafood, eggs, cheese, veggies, & seasonings, except for what you have already a good supply of. If the price is too high, get something else that's on sale, or pull from the deep-freeze & defrost while the first round gets started:
Put 2 skillets on med-high. Add 1/3" water. Pan 1 is for seafood; pan 2 is for other meats. Add some to each pan. The mildest tasting meats should be cooked first.
Depending on the meat/seafood the basic seasonings are added next. From veggies on hand, add strips to the pans around the meat.
The rule here is there IS NO RECIPE!
The other rule is you ONLY HAVE TO WASH ONCE 4 pans & 2 sets utensils!
Adjust the temperature down as the water gets down very low.
Turn the contents of each pan, and if desired add additional seasonings or last-minute herbs desired, or if needed, oil, butter or grease.
Cover and pull out a pan to transfer the cooked food to, then prepare your next round of meats. Wash up, and the first round should be done.
You can move just the meat or all to pans 3 & 4 (keep seafood separate; or instead of pans, storage containers can be used), or just leave some of the veggies behind in pans 1 & 2. (Some can also go right to the plate(s))
Now do NOT scrape or wash any cookware yet: put in some more water, unless you wish to fry round 2, turn the heat back up and add the next 2 meats (seafood to #1, other to #2), but use less seasoning this time. There will be flavorful remains from round 1 to improve round 2. Add more of the same or different veggies. Perhaps add stronger flavors such as liquid smoke or vinegar. Don't overdo the salt or stronger spices - unless you want them carried over to round 3.
Complete as done for round 1, repeat. When you finish you'll have saved hours future time in the kitchen, as well as $ on groceries.
It generally takes only a couple of hours, tops*, to do this, and with storage containers you can mix and match what's in your MRE's. Just label, date & freeze, at home or the office, until ready to eat.

*You'll need to allow some time for cool-down before putting into plastic containers. Using metal pans 3 & 4 the time is closer to 1 hour!

[SunflowerOtter]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

Thank you for all the great responses! It is nice to know that it will eventually become second nature.

I really appreciate the specific ideas that you all sent, and I will definitely use them during my journey.

Thx again,
Romie

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

I tend to plan my meals only a day or two in advance - even when I was at my busiest going to school over 21 hours a week. Really, the simpler you keep your meals (in my opinion), the easier and more doable it all will become and remain for you for years to come. Regarding food choices, Atkins would be absolutely intolerable for me if I had to carry around a calculator and food scale everywhere I went.

[tabekat]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

There is a standard list of ingrediants to keep on hand at all times. Once you get used to having those ingrediants around meal preparation is a snap.

I love the George Foreman grill - Every night I make some meat, some veggies, takes about 10 minutes and I'm done.

[BellaCarol]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

I buy my meats in bulk (like chicken or pork) and basically broil them in the oven, put them in ziploc bags by the portion and freeze them, so I only have to worry about peeling veggies at nite and pack my lunch for the next day, if I want chicken or pork, take a portion and cook them in the Ziploc Bag for 4-5 minutes et voila! It smells and tastes great. My DH also broil a lot of meat, I also use can fish like sardines and tuna, I can tell you fixing dinner takes me aprox 30-45 minutes and I do that before my afternoon workout. So it became a habit.

[boonie stomper]

Re: How much time do you spend on planning Meals?

Kewl, BellaCarol - you can cook in ziplocks? On the stove or in a microwave? Won't it leave a plasticky taste?