This post describes how to use my weekly meal plan that I created to make meal planning and grocery shopping that much easier. This meal plan will help you maintain your goals, stay organized, stay on budget, create less food waste, and simplify your next grocery store visit. My Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template is available on Etsy!
Want to try out a page from the Weekly Meal Planner for FREE? It’s available at the bottom of this post!
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The full product description for the Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template is available on the Etsy listing. Click on the links provided for more information!
Due to my Neurodivergent brain, I meal plan a little differently.
My motivation for meal planning is my mental health and overall health. I have anxiety and depression. Making smarter and more mindful food choices helps my mental health overall. Additionally, my 20s have been a journey of trying to incorporate healthier food choices into my diet that I actually enjoy. In my experience, when I eat better I feel better. Simple as that.
For meal planning, I like to keep all of my possible meal ideas written out on one master list. My depression affects my memory, so having it written down helps tremendously. I can easily reference it and choose a meal I want to make. It takes a lot of the normal stress out of meal planning.
I choose only to have a decided few meals for the week, as opposed to specific days of the week. (That being said, I do include days of the week options in my printable for those of you who prefer that.) Because of my anxiety and depression, it can trigger my anxiety if I’m not able to “stick” to the days of the week meal plan.
That’s why I also included meal plans with “Meal” options, that way it can be more generalized. Moreover, I can pick and choose from the meal plan ideas because I know I have those specific supplies in my kitchen.
Plus, life can be hectic and unpredictable. Some nights I have the energy to make a more involved meal. Whereas, other nights I want to whip up something quick and easy. I’m easily able to switch between meals for whatever mood I am in, or for whatever I’m capable of making that day.
That’s why I created this Simple Weekly Meal Plan, to take as much stress out of meal planning as possible.
For it to all be in one place, neatly organized, and plenty of space to write out everything you’ll need.
I can’t always trust my brain to remember things, this meal plan helps with that. Does anyone else relate?
This Grocery List Printable Template is also included in the Etsy store! Check it out!
The full product description for the Grocery List Printable Template is available on the Etsy listing. Click on the links provided for more information!
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Included below, on the Meal Plan + Grocery List option, there is also a “Staple Backup Meals I Always Have on Hand, Just in Case” section.
This was a major reason I created this meal plan. I have every intention to make well-balanced meals, but that doesn’t always come to fruition.
Enter, the Staple Backup Meals. These are the meals that I always have on hand, can bring it together in a pinch, and I always enjoy eating. Think of it as your backup plan for meal planning.
These include frozen meals that I stock in my freezer, (mostly from Trader Joe’s lol). There is no shame in needing some extra help now and again.
My go-to backup meals that require cooking are spaghetti, Buffalo Chicken Wraps, pasta with butter and parmesan, Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie, and Taco Bell-Inspired Quesadilla with Creamy Chipotle Sauce.
Having Staple Backup Meals will help you stay successful with meal planning, and keep you motivated!
You’ll have a cushion for those harder days, keeping you within your meal plan, and feeling accomplished as opposed to defeated.
What are your motivations behind meal planning?
To save money? Incorporate more healthy choices into your diet? For your mental health? No longer wanting to use brain power on deciding what’s for dinner tonight? Make grocery shopping easier?
When we feel defeated, it’s easy to fall back into old habits or grab fast food. Don’t get me wrong, there is no shame in that. But I want this meal plan to help you stay motivated and accomplished! Regardless of your reasons for meal planning.
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Recipe Inspiration For Your Meal Plan!
Start your weekly meal planning off right with these simple and delicious recipes! Add some excitement and flavor to your meal planning with these meal ideas. You can’t go wrong with these.
- 30-Minute Lettuce Wraps
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps
- Taco Bell-Inspired Quesadilla with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
- Irresistible Yellow Curry That is Delicious and Easy to Make
- Easy and Flavorful Chicken Tacos
- Insanely Good Pork Nachos
- Simple and Delicious Slider Sandwiches
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
Want to make meal planning even easier? Use these 12 Must-Have Kitchen Essentials That Will Make Your Life That Much Easier.
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Easy to Use Printable Weekly Meal Plan to Keep You Organized
Now I will share all the features of my Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template that is available on Etsy. Instantly download and print! Use it as early as this week!
The full product description for the Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template is available on the Etsy listing. Click on the links provided for more information!
This Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template will make your life that much easier! With everything conveniently in one place, perfectly organize and execute your next meal plan and grocery list, stay on budget, and minimize waste.
Each meal section allows space to write out every ingredient so you don’t forget anything. It also includes a meal ideas template to create your master list of meals with all your favorite meals, or new recipe ideas to mix it up!
You should have no problem finding exactly what fits your wants, needs, lifestyle, and preferences with 9 different layouts and 3 color options that will work perfectly for you.
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There are 9 Different Meal Plan Templates and Layouts to Choose From
*Note: The full description and further details are included on the Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template Etsy Listing! Click the link for more information!*
There are 27 printable pages in total in this meal planner. There are Meal Plan + Grocery List or Meal Plan Only. Those are divided into either “meals” or days of the week. Including a 5 day option and a 7 day option. Lastly, there is a meal ideas list to have all your potential meals conveniently in one place.
This Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template is a digital product only. Instantly download and print! Start your meal planning right away!
Once purchased, you can print the templates as often as you’d like! Print each week, or print out enough to plan for the whole month. Whichever works best for you!
Want to try out a page from the Weekly Meal Planner for FREE? It’s available at the bottom of this post!
How to Use This Weekly Meal Plan To Get the Most Out of It:
The meal plan portions have spaces to fill in each ingredient of that meal. You can choose to fill in each ingredient, or only the ingredients you need to purchase the next time you go to the grocery store. Whichever works best for you!
This is also helpful to see what meals have similar ingredients. For one, to see how much of something you need. It can also help to plan out if you need to use up something that can go bad quickly.
For example, make sure you have enough tomatoes for both meals. Or, after you buy lettuce in bulk and need to use it up over a few meals.
On the Meal Plan + Grocery List Template, there is space to make a grocery list, as well as include your Staple Backup Meals. This ensures you don’t forget anything the next time you go grocery shopping, it’s all on one page.
MORE DETAILS ARE INCLUDED UNDER EACH PRODUCT IMAGE. FULL PRODUCT DESCRIPTION IS INCLUDED ON THE ETSY LISTING.
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Meal Plan + Grocery List
As shown, this has the meal plan and grocery list all in one place.
Plus, it has the “Staple Backup Meals I Always Have on Hand, Just in Case” section. These are the meals that you always have on hand, can bring it together in a pinch, and always enjoy eating. Think of it as your backup plan for meal planning. Including frozen meals, pre-prepped meals put together by your grocery store, etc.
It also has the “meal” or days of the week options, as well as 5 days vs. 7 days.
Meal Plan Only
There are also Meal Plan Only templates. That way you have more space to write, and have an option without a grocery list. Similarly, there are “meal” and days of the week options with 5-day and 7-day options.
“Meal” vs. Days of the Week
More examples of the “meal” list vs. days of the week. Both with 5-day options and 7-day options. For each different template example, and all 3 color options.
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Meal Ideas List
Have all your potential meal ideas conveniently in one place. There are 3 different sections, including Easy Go-To Meals, New Recipes to Try, and Meals that Take a Little More Effort but I Still Love. This acts as an extended version of the Staple Backup Meals section. Now you never have to go through the struggle of deciding what meals to make.
These 12 Must-Have Kitchen Essentials That Will Make Your Life That Much Easier will undoubtedly help you in you meal planning journey. Why not make it even easier?
Want to try out a page from the Weekly Meal Planner for FREE? It’s available at the bottom of this post!
3 Color Options
In addition, there are 3 color options for the Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template. All 9 Templates are available in each color option. Black and White, Peach and Light Pink, and Teal and Light Teal, as shown below.
Try these 7 Best Low-Cost Swaps to Create Less Waste That You’ll Actually Use on your journey to becoming your best self!
The full product description for the Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template is available on the Etsy listing. Click on the links provided for more information!
There you have it, A Simple Printable Weekly Meal Plan to Keep you organized!
My goal with making this Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template is to not only make your life easier, but also help you to achieve your meal planning goals, whatever they may be!
Stay organized, stay on budget, create less food waste, and simplify your next grocery store visit. You’re going to crush your goals with this weekly meal planner! You got this!
Looking for another great tool for Meal Planning? Try this Grocery List Printable Template!
The full product description for the Grocery List Printable Template is available on the Etsy listing. Click on the links provided for more information!
The Greatest Grocery List to Keep You Organized and On Budget
Don’t Forget to Add These Simple and Delicious Recipes to Your Meal Plan!
- 30-Minute Lettuce Wraps
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps
- Taco Bell-Inspired Quesadilla with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
- Easy and Flavorful Chicken Tacos
- Insanely Good Pork Nachos
- Simple and Delicious Slider Sandwiches
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
Related Posts:
The Greatest Grocery List to Keep You Organized and On Budget
12 Must-Have Kitchen Essentials That Will Make Your Life That Much Easier
The 7 Best Low-Cost Swaps to Create Less Waste That You’ll Actually Use
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4 Budget-Friendly Journal Supplies That Will Make You Want to Journal