I have been getting this question a lot lately. Pictures of all the unique dishes each week, fresh veggies….how much does this REALLY cost? Great question!
It caused me to be even more diligent about grocery shopping and breaking down the ingredients I was using each week and cost of meals per week……My overall average for the last 4 weeks per meal (of everything in the meal prep plans on the blog and we do 7 of each meal plus snacks) is less than $3 per meal. Less than $3 a meal for healthy meals full of fruits and veggies where I knew everything I put in them (and I made them for my family…..which in my mind means it has some homemade magic energy) was already awesome to me….but read on for the real savings.
At first if you are not used to meal planning and once a week grocery shopping you may be in sticker shock at your grocery bill when you do shop. It is one big weekly bill..but remember the ways you are saving and the ways you can save more.
Ways you already save:
1)Time & Energy—this is huge and time is money…and quality of life! You save SO MUCH TIME by chopping, cooking, cleaning only this one time during the week.time in the morning packing lunch for work..you preserve quality time…instead of prep time you get to do homework with your kids, or hear about their day, have a bath with a glass of wine, go to a girls night out because dinner is already ready, talk with your husband about the day…all of these…..sometimes PRICELESS moments
2) Stress and Health—No more stress of What’s for Dinner…..A huge weight off your shoulders….PRICELESS! Healthy choices are priceless too…feeding your body well, knowing you are planning ahead and making choices to feed your family well…making decisions for health. Food is fuel for your whole family…..I thought I was feeding my family well before..but planning ahead for the entire week means I am more in control over everything that goes in our bodies. Healthy choices prevent illness in the immediate future…and build healthy bodies long term.
3) Eliminates cost of last minute “out to eat” bad choices. I love to eat out when it’s an amazing experience and great food and great company. Far too often when we don’t have planned what we are going to eat we rush out of the house without anything, rush from thing to thing starving and go to a drive-thru or order out because we don’t have the energy to cook and don’t have anything at home and don’t want to go to the store. I used to be this person….then my son now 16 was diagnosed with celiac disease 4 years ago..and suddenly that was not an option. We had to plan ahead, pack all of our food, and now I am thankful I have learned those strategies.
4) Meal prep doesn’t mean you are eating out of a box….I have posted pictures on Instagram @helpfulwaysforhealthydays of how you can plate up your make your meal-prep meals into an elegant date night dinner! Date night in..no stress…..
5) Shopping–Buy in Bulk. I miss the days of having our own cows in our freezer, local chickens from people we knew….if you still have that …go for it or search it out. Otherwise compare prices, look at Costco, Sams where you can buy ingredients in bulk because you will use them. Shop sales..more on where I shop locally in another blog, but compare ads, price match, see where you can get the best quality produce at the best prices…we use a lot of meat and produce so watch for what you can get on sale and plan accordingly.
6) Find a friend to meal prep with! Our recipes make multiple portions so you can really save in costs when you go together…share the cost and share the work and enjoy some girl time and wine in the process.
Summary…….We spend way less on food (grocery trips, eating out) having more time, and make better health choices……I love it!