Meal planning: Where to begin

Everyone has their own routines, priorities, and cooking habits, so there is no single meal planning solution that works for everyone. Here are some popular approaches to meal planning.

Frequency of grocery shopping

Once you’ve chosen a meal planning method, there is one more decision to make: how often you’ll shop for groceries.

Shopping several times a week gives you access to the freshest ingredients, but it can be more expensive and time-consuming, especially if you live far from shops or markets.

I personally prefer shopping once a week. It gives me a good balance between freshness, convenience, and cost.

A hybrid approach offers the greatest savings, but also requires more planning. For example, you might buy non-perishable items once a month and then replenish fresh vegetables, fruit, and bread throughout the week.

Planning Tools

A good meal planning system should be easy to maintain. Choosing the right tool can make a significant difference.

If you’re following a complete meal plan, a dedicated application such as the Mealsketch app may be a good option. It was developed by my friend Anton to solve some common frustrations found in traditional meal planning apps.

Digital notes, paper notebooks, spreadsheets, and simple text documents can all work just as well. The best tool is often the one you’ll actually keep using.

A magnetic planner or a corkboard on your fridge can also be a practical alternative, especially if multiple people are involved.

Final thoughts

These are the main approaches worth considering when getting started with meal planning. There is no universally correct method—each comes with its own advantages and trade-offs.

Start with the simplest system that fits your lifestyle, adjust it over time, and don’t be afraid to experiment.