A Busy Parent’s Guide to Healthy Weeknight Meals
Between work, school, homework and family activities, weeks can fly, and you might feel like there’s no time to connect. But with easy, go-to, weeknight meals, you can decrease prep time, and allow for more time to sit down for healthy meals that everyone enjoys.
The simple act of planning ahead for three to four meals per week can be a big help for busy families. Involving all family members, especially kids, in the decision-making process can lessen the mental load taken on by one person while having the potential to create more excitement for a healthy weeknight meal.
Once you have planned which dinners you’d like to prepare, take a kitchen inventory to see what you already have on hand before writing out your grocery list for a faster shopping experience. A reminder of what is in your pantry and freezer can also spark creativity for quick and easy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, too.
If you have the time, prepare a meal or two in advance on whichever day of the week is easiest for you. It may be wise to make an extra meal one night so it can be reheated on those nights packed with after school activities. If you don’t have the time in advance, rest easy with recipes from Libby’s® Vegetables, since the vegetable prep work is done for you; no need to wash, peel or dice!
Next up? Browse the eight dishes below and have your kids choose one before you plan meals for the rest of the week. Curate your grocery list and make a plan for what you’ll prep, when, and how! Then, appreciate a week where figuring out what is for dinner isn’t on the to-do list and enjoy more meaningful time at the table.
