Cover Story Editorial Food Parenting

Benefits of meal planning for busy moms

ByWangari Njoroge

Ever feel like you’re constantly racing the clock, juggling work, kids and the never-ending ‘what’s for dinner?’

Meal planning can be a game-changer, transforming chaotic evenings into smooth, stress-free routines.

It involves organizing and preparing meals in advance, saving time and reducing stress for busy moms during the week.

Here are some fun practical tips to help you save time and keep your family happily fed:

Meal prepping involves preparing and portioning meals in advance, typically for the week.

Over the weekend, you can spend a few hours chopping vegetables, marinating meats and pre-cooking meals.

Prepped food can be stored in the fridge; all you’ll need to do during the week is heat it.

You can prepare multiple portions of your favorite recipes and freeze the extras.

Having a stash of ready-made meals in the freezer can be a lifesaver on those particularly hectic days when cooking just isn’t an option.

Picking what to choose everyday can take away from the joy of cooking.

You can take the guesswork out of meal planning by designating themed nights for example, Taco Tuesday and Pizza Friday.

This predictable rhythm not only simplifies planning, but also adds fun and leaves your family looking forward to dinner.

A slow cooker is an electric appliance that cooks food slowly at a low temperature, allowing for unattended cooking for hours.

In the morning, you can throw in some ingredients, set it and forget it.

By dinner time, you’ll have a delicious, home-cooked meal ready to go!

Having to cook in multiple pots in a single cooking session can be exhausting especially after a long day.

One-pot meals such as stir-fries or stews save time on both cooking and cleaning.

After a busy day, it’s only fair that you get help from your family.

Kids can help with tasks like washing vegetables and setting the table.

Turning cooking into a family affair not only lightens your load, but also teaches them valuable skills.

Meal times don’t have to be frantic after long days at work. After all, dinner should be a time to connect and unwind.