#Meal planning google sheets how to
#Meal planning google sheets pro
#Meal planning google sheets download

Once you open this link, click FILE –> MAKE A COPY so you can edit the file in your own account. I’ll send a Google Sheets link straight to your email.

#Meal planning google sheets download

Plug your themes and dishes into your meal planįirst, download your monthly meal planner template below. Whatever your week looks like, plan your menu around your busy schedule and you’re much more likely to stick to it. But I have more time on Saturdays so I’m game to try a new recipe! Same with Sundays: I’m preparing for the week ahead and don’t want to make an elaborate meal.

#Meal planning google sheets pro

Pro Tip: When you’re deciding on nightly themes, think about the rhythm of your week.įor example, Wednesdays are often busy because we have small group at 6pm so I need something quick and easy. That way, you’re ready to open up your template and plug-and-play. Decide on your nightly themesįor additional structure, you can categorize your meals based on nightly themes.

#Meal planning google sheets how to

Related: How to Streamline Your Grocery Shopping So You Don’t Hate It 3. That way I can use up the eggplant before it stinks up my fridge and I only have to purchase it once for both recipes, instead of two weeks in a row. Look over your list and using different colored highlighters ( mildliners are my fave!) highlight meals you can list in the same week because they use similar ingredients.įor example, when I put Eggplant Parm on the list, I should also list Eggplant BLT Sandwiches a day or two later. This next part isn’t 100% necessary, but if your produce often goes bad before you can use it all, then this will help tremendously! Highlight meals using similar ingredients If you want to take this list this one step further, brainstorm a few lunch ideas and side dish options to pair with your main dishes. This number gives you a variety of meals to choose from as well as space to repeat a few of your all-time favorites. These don’t have to be elaborate meals! Pizza and pancakes totally count. Grab a blank sheet of paper and write down about 20 favorite dinner ideas. Make a list of your family’s favorite dishes Especially if I had to use their recipes, not my tried-and-true ones.įYI: Plan to Eat uses your own recipes to meal plan, but I also didn’t feel like typing all of them into a database when they’re already organized inside my Recipe Binder!ġ. In the past, I felt frustrated using these services because I didn’t like other people telling me what to eat and when. I studied what companies like Once a Month Meals and eMeals were doing and considered replicating their system using my own recipes. No matter what I did, I couldn’t find my rhythm. From winging it to jotting down random meals on a sticky note to assigning theme days and investing in done-for-you meal plan services. The truth is, I’ve tried just about every meal plan strategy out there to help me fall in love with meal planning.

You would think that because I’m a planner by nature (my bullet journal is consistently by my side and Google Calendar lives permanently as an open browser tab) I wouldn’t mind this weekly chore.

Step 4: Head to the store with your printer or mobile-friendly grocery list and know EXACTLY what’s for dinner every single night.Every time Sunday evening rolls around, I sigh.

Step 3: Jot down the list of ingredients you’ll need for each meal in the editable grocery list template. Step 2: For each day of the week, choose your dinners from the handy, custom drop-down list. You can use your family’s favorite foods/meals AND add links to new meal ideas you find in cookbooks, blogs, or on Pinterest! Step 1: The first step is to brainstorm a list of dinner ideas. HOW TO USE THIS SPREADSHEET MEAL PLANNER: STEP-BY-STEP

Great tool to SIMPLIFY the meal planning process–nothing complicated or time-consuming.

You’ll never run out of dinner ideas – you have your family’s favorite meals and new recipes stored all in one place.

You’ll eliminate food waste by not buying unnecessary items.

You’ll SIMPLIFY the grocery shopping process by working from a weekly, master grocery list.

You’ll know what you’re making for dinner every day of the week!.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS GOOGLE SHEETS MEAL PLANNER TEMPLATE