Plan two or three meals, not the whole week

Planning what you eat makes it easier to cook more often, save money and waste less food. And there's no right or wrong way to do it. You can plan the whole week, or just the next couple of days.

A simple routine:

1. Set aside a little time, like Sunday afternoon, to jot down a few meal ideas.
2. Check your schedule. Busy days call for quicker, simpler meals or leftovers.
3. Look for recipes that share ingredients, so nothing goes to waste.
4. Use up fresh ingredients first, and save frozen, canned and dried ones for later.
5. Write your grocery list from your plan.

Post a grocery list where everyone in your home can see it and add to it, and save the plans and recipes you liked so you can reuse them. Health Canada also notes that if you shop when you're hungry, you may buy foods you don't need.

Try this today: Write down three dinners for the next few days and the ingredients you need for them.

Sources

• Canada's food guide: Plan what you eat (opens in a new tab)
• Canada's food guide: Healthier grocery shopping (opens in a new tab)