Healthy Meal Planning Tips

If you are like most people, you probably only spend about 15 minutes on dinner prep each day. Most of us do not know what we will be having for dinner until dinner time arrives and we start preparing it. Nutrition experts agree that spending time meal planning each week is worth the effort - it can help you better prepare for your trip to the grocery store, feel less stressed about dinner time, and encourage healthy eating habits.

If you are short on time, we have some tips that you can try this week:

• Buy foods that are ready to use - think of precut stir-fry veggies, bagged salad greens, kale or spinach, fruit that is precut, pre-cooked chicken strips, thin - sliced lean deli meats that can be used in a quick stir-fry recipe.

• Use frozen ingredients - like veggies or pre-cooked meatballs - for convenience. Use microwaveable packaged fresh veggies for convenience. Stir-frying, broiling, and microwaving are faster than baking or roasting.

• Kitchen tools like food processors, salad spinners, and blenders can help with quicker food preparation.

• Use batch cooking to cook extra chicken, lean ground beef/turkey and freeze for later use.

• Keep counters clear and available for meal preparation - a decluttered kitchen can decrease stress. Don't be afraid to switch things around. Have a light meal or breakfast for dinner to save time.