The Simplest Weeknight Meal Planning Ever
Do you ever feel like meal prep is more of a chore than it should be? I certainly do. It’s a conversation that happens frequently: “What’s for dinner?” “Should we take something out of the freezer?” And honestly, I feel like sometimes I just don’t have the energy to make a decision. I’ve got a tip that might just change that—one that will almost make meal planning feel like you’re cheating. Read on.
A Common Meal Planning Problem
A lot of my clients tell me they struggle with coming up with fresh meal ideas every day. Yeah. I hear that. It’s exhausting to constantly brainstorm new meals, especially when you’re already juggling a busy schedule. Plus, if you have a family like mine… Not everyone likes the same thing so I’m trying to find what I can cook without making 2 separate meals.
The Solution? Stop Trying So Hard!
What if, instead of searching for new recipes daily, there was a simple theme for each night of the week? This way, we let the theme guide our meal choices, making it easier to decide what's for dinner.
For example, we’ve all heard of “pizza night,” right? This same approach can be expanded to cover the entire week!
Easy Weeknight Meal Themes
Here are a few theme ideas to get you started:
Meatless Monday: Go plant-based with meals like veggie stir-fries, lentil curry, or a hearty salad.
Healthy Taco Tuesday: Make it fun with homemade tacos—try chicken, shrimp, or black bean tacos.
Soup & Salad Wednesday: Pair a comforting soup with a fresh salad. (we add grilled cheese for dipping too!)
Stir-Fry Thursday: Cook up a quick stir-fry with your favorite protein and veggies.
Seafood Friday: Salmon, shrimp, or fish tacos—whatever floats your boat.
Grilling Saturday: Fire up the grill and enjoy anything from burgers to grilled veggies.
Sheet-Pan or Slow-Cooker Sunday: Use this day for an easy, set-it-and-forget-it meal like a sheet-pan dinner or a slow-cooker stew.
Why Weekly Themes Work
Having a framework for each night takes away the pressure of constantly thinking up new meals. It makes the process smoother and gives you more time and energy to focus on what really matters.
If your family is like mine, this also answers the infamous “What’s for dinner?” question before it starts. Bonus: they might even get involved and pitch in with ideas!
Consistency Leads to Results
As a fitness professional and mom, I know it’s the small, everyday actions that drive long-term results. Meal planning with themes is a simple but powerful way to make your week run smoother—so you have more time for other things.
Want to make meal prep even easier?
Download My Free Fast and Easy Meal Prep Guide
Get 20 quick, healthy recipes to make meal planning stress-free. Just click the link and download your copy today!
