What should I cook today? Should it be rice with vegetables or macaroni with chicken nuggets? When was the last time my kids ate healthy food? Those and many other questions may run through moms’ minds. We are different people, but when it comes to feeding our children, we are almost the same – routine, cooking, going to work. Here, we want to create a new winning experience for you: a meal plan. What is it, and how do you make the one that matches your entire family? Let’s learn it!
Top 8 Tips For A Successful Single Mom Meal Plan
What is a good meal plan? It must be tasty, healthy, and easy to cook. It is great if all the ingredients and supplies you buy in the store match ideally and mix easily. If not, you will always be out of any detail and go shopping. For example, you have cottage cheese but can not bake a cheesecake without some sour cream or want to prepare pizza but have two spoons of flour on your shelf. How do single mom meals achieve this kitchen harmony? Catch these 8 simple yet working tips for a successful single mom meal plan!
1. Make A Meal Plan.
It is the most fancy thing to do. Start by writing down all your favorite meals (do not forget a thing!) Remember nutritious rules – the balance of fibers (vegetables), protein (meat and beans), and fat (cheese, sour sauce, etc.) Then, group these meals by the days and times you eat them. When you have all the details written by hand on a fancy planner hanging on the wall or refrigerator, your kids will love it! With the grocery list, shopping is faster too!
2. Check The Freezer.
We buy and store products, and there are the right moments to use them for single mom recipes. Reviewing the freezer and using the products or considering what you should bring in from a store is a good idea. Besides, it helps to save money and effort (you can stay home instead of going outside to take something)
You can cook and pack the meals or some constituent elements and make them your lifesavers. Some ingredients have long shelf lives, and some do not and are waiting for thawing. Keep an eye on them.
3. To Save Time – Order Products Online.
There are some kinds of goods one can hardly buy without touching or having a closer look at them. However, we can’t say that about the grocery stores’ assortment. When you know the store and learn it offers delivery to a doorstep, try it. For starters, order some items you do not hesitate on their quality: vegetables, groceries, dairy products, fruit, bakery.
Then, you can try buying meat and fish. If you like this experience, you can learn the rules and estimates for deliveries and always plan to use this service. This move will save you up to six hours per week in the long term! Thus, you will spend it looking for easy meals for single moms.
4. Use The Apps.
Modern applications offer so many convenient ideas of all shapes and sizes! Do you want to calculate calories or find a menu for your fest? Find the apps that have it, for example, a meal planner app with convenient recipes. Do you need more inspiration for what to cook? Say no more; find an app with good books for single moms or open Pinterest and explore the world of cuisine, snacks, salads, sandwiches, and life hacks on making ten dishes out of three simple products.
5. Don’t Forget That Children Can Help.
It is the sweetest sound: to listen to the silence when kids are in the middle of something. Your loved ones will expect their favorite plates; thus, it is easier to invite them to help. However, is “help” appropriate when speaking about growing kids and teaching them to care for themselves?
It is the new level on the way: to peel potatoes, chop cucumbers, or cook rice. Tasks indeed depend on the age of the kids. Ensure you praise them for the good actions that lead to new achievements in their lives and do not be pushy. Empathy, the desire to teach, and patience will do their best.
6. Consider Allergies, Picky Eaters, And Portions.
There is no need to worry if children eat less if they are healthy. Take care to put a wide variety of food on the table, avoid allergens, cook easy meals for single mom and toddler, and let kids choose what to eat and how much. If your children require specific diets, talk to doctors, ask for healthy recommendations, find good recipes, and add the dishes to the meal plan. It will simplify your routine and make healthy habits.
7. Create Funny Themes For Every Day Of The Week.
Everyone loves single mom dinner ideas! The thematic approach is fun. You can pick a new cuisine for the next week, French with its sources, and then choose an unknown one, like Ukrainian with its borshch. Feel free; it is easy to cook with a meal plan, a list of ingredients to buy, and a good recipe. However, it is a diversity in action. Then, you have a fall time with Halloween and Easter with bunnies and painted eggs. Of course, do not forget about Christmas, snowmen, candles, and Santa. But shapes to bake, decorations to make your room shine, and thematic table napkins.
8. Take A Break Once A Week.
Everyone needs a day off to have a rest. It can be about pizza or sushi delivery, children-make-sandwiches, or food cooked in advance and put in the freezer. You can walk and eat in a fancy cafe or take some simple meals on a picnic. It is your decision; the main idea is to retrieve, get new inspiration, and not make a big deal out of the food. The latter must serve you but not turn you into its eternal servant!
Example Of Single Mom Meal Plan
Now it is the time to show you what we mean by saying “prepare a meal plan.” Check it out and hope you like it:
#1 Monday
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with sliced bananas and honey.
- Lunch: Cheese sandwich on bread with carrot sticks.
- Snack: Greek yogurt with berries.
- Supper: Grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and brown rice.
#2 Tuesday
- Breakfast: Eggs with cheese and whole-grain toast.
- Lunch: Quinoa salad with mixed vegetables.
- Snack: Apple slices, carrot, yogurt.
- Supper: Baked salmon, sweet potato with garlic, and salad.
#3 Wednesday
- Breakfast: Pancakes and yogurt.
- Lunch: Chicken noodle soup and a side salad.
- Snack: Hummus with cucumber and bell pepper slices.
- Supper: Pasta served with tomato-based marinara dressing and meat.
#4 Thursday
- Breakfast: Yogurt with granola and mixed berries.
- Lunch: Tuna salad sandwich on whole-grain bread and a side of cherry tomatoes.
- Snack: A handful of almonds and a piece of fruit.
- Supper: Brown rice with vegetables.
#5 Friday
- Breakfast: Pancakes with cottage cheese and strawberries.
- Lunch: Veggie wrap with tomato, cucumber, and hummus.
- Snack: Cheese and whole-grain crackers.
- Supper: Grilled shrimp, quinoa, and roasted asparagus.
#6 Saturday
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, cheese, and salsa.
- Lunch: Salad with grilled chicken.
- Snack: Banana and apple.
- Supper: Pizza, topped with mushrooms, veggies and cheese.
#7 Sunday
- Breakfast: French toast and omelet.
- Lunch: Lentil soup with a slice of rustic bread.
- Snack: Carrot sticks and ranch dip.
- Supper: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, and steamed carrots.
Conclusion
Show your creativity and consistency to have your perfect meal plan! Invite your kids, show it to them, and cook together with smiles on your face. Have a wonderful time!