MEAL PLANNING

Cooking is considered to be a divine art. But is it really so? Ask that to the meal maker at home who has to whip up delectable fares day in and day out and at the same time cater to every whim of each family member! Add to it the task of balancing the budget and ensuring a wholesome meal that is enough to give you the jitters.

If donning the chef’s cap is making you feel uneasy, here are some tips on meal planning to prevent you from landing in a soup. If you are a working parent or a housewife juggling numerous tasks at hand that take up your entire day, these helpful tips would make meal making a truly enjoyable experience and help you sail smoothly throughout the week.

Opinion of family members

You spent the whole evening baking and grilling a wide platter of food for your folks only to find them turning up their noses and heading to rummage the refrigerator. Though likes and dislikes can be cultivated, every member in the family may not appreciate all types of food.

First of all, ask members of your household to suggest some dishes, which they would love to eat, as it is their opinion that matters the most.

Keep in mind their likes and dislikes and allergies to certain types of food.

If you have already prepared a menu, ask them for some suggestions on the menu and make the relevant changes.

In case they do not agree with certain dishes on the menu, welcome all suggestions on the possible varieties that could be adopted.

Well, do keep in mind the likes and dislikes of children, as they are the one’s who are fussy about food!

Ask the kids what they would love to have for the whole week and always keep a substitute dish so that you are prepared in advance in case they throw a fit about a certain dish.

If there are certain restrictions to be followed due to religious or health considerations, choose food items that can be easily substituted instead of having to cook separately for each member.

Keep in mind health related issues

The first pre-requisite of a good meal plan is its ability to meet the nutritional needs of the entire family. You may have succeeded in appeasing every taste bud but the health issues too need a thought.

Since no single food will meet the entire nutrient requirement, decide on the type of meals to be had for the entire week. Make a plan about the inclusion of vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. A vegetarian meal can also be balanced, affordable and at the same time provide good variety.

In the variety of meals that you have planned see to it that foods from each food group are included in some form.

If fussy eaters pose a problem, changing the method of preparation, a lovely presentation of the dish with interesting accompaniments can bring them back for second helpings.

If you are having more than one dish which has a high fat content then try and compensate with a low fat dish. This way you can be sure that your family will have healthy food.

Poultry or fish which is protein rich can be had thrice a week, meats can be had twice a week as it has a high level of fat and vegetables, especially leafy, can be had throughout the week as they are rich in vitamins and minerals.