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BACK TO SCHOOL MENU PLANNING TIPS
August 19th, 2024By Katie Chatfield, MPH, RDN, LD, CCNP, Nutrition Manager
Summer is winding down and it's almost time for busy school schedules to resume. Set yourself up for success this school year by dedicating time to menu plan. Menu planning takes the stress out of deciding what to feed your children, streamlines your shopping trips, and even saves you money!
Whatever your personality or comfort level in the kitchen, there is a menu planning style to suit you. When figuring out what method will work best, consider your:
Whatever your personality or comfort level in the kitchen, there is a menu planning style to suit you. When figuring out what method will work best, consider your:
Personality Type
Spontaneous: What sounds good right now? What do I have on hand?
Bargain hunter: Shop weekly by grocery sale or for seasonal items
Planner: Shop once a month, prepare large-batch freezer meals
Creative: Themed meal planning
Efficient: Cycle menus
Time
Meal prep at the beginning of the week
Make a double batch and freeze it
Cook once, serve twice (chicken breast, chicken hotdish)
Re-purpose leftovers at the end of the week (soups, salads)
Shapes - round, square, rectangular and spiral
Tastes - sweet, sour, tart, salty, spicy, mild
Textures - soft, fluffy, crunchy, crisp, creamy, smooth
Colors - yellow, orange, red, green, purple, white, brown
Check out these resources to inspire your menu planning process:
Menu Planning Tools
Purchasing/ Shopping Tools
Grocery Delivery Services (Instacart)