How to Meal Plan: What Should I Eat For Dinner?

Figuring out what to eat for dinner can be far more difficult than we care to admit to.  Sometimes option paralysis strikes and we cave under the frustration, ordering greasy delivery food as a result.  Other times we don’t have much in the kitchen to make something substantial and healthy, so we opt for packets of ramen tucked in the back of the pantry. 

Then there are those rare occasions where we simply forgo dinner altogether, not due to fasting but due to the inability to make a decision.  There’s a common denominator in these scenarios – lack of planning ahead.

Learn How To Meal Plan When Pressed For Time

1. Timing

Any employer will tell you that one of the worst times to hire someone is when you desperately need to fill a position. The urgency can cause them to lower their standards for the person they pick, and they’re lacking in time to train them properly. Likewise, one of the worst times to ask yourself “What should I eat for dinner?” is when you’re about to make it. There’s a time crunch, and if you’re feeling hungry already you’re more likely to overeat.

2. Waste Not, Want Not

The easiest to avoid asking yourself that dreaded question last minute is to plan ahead. When you have more time to plan it out, you have time to look into obtaining resources you don’t have. This could mean grocery shopping or buying some kitchenware that will give you more options for what to make, like a blender or toaster. But if all you do is spend money you may waste it on things you don’t need or worse, won’t even use.

3. Meal Planning

If you find yourself asking this question all too often, it’s time for you to look into a custom meal planner. There’s no more last-minute decision making, not to mention you can plan ahead for the entire week, or the month if you’d like. Even better is that you don’t actually have to figure out what to make when you plan ahead.

▶ Try these 10 Hacks To Monthly Meal Planner Success

4. Generator to the Rescue

Also Read: Random Recipe Generator

By using a meal plan generator these decisions are made for you. They can be used to play out your breakfasts and lunches too. Generators will take your dietary preferences and restrictions into account, provide information on macronutrients, and give the instructions. If you start a custom meal planner and take advantage of a meal plan generator, never again will you ask yourself “What should I eat for dinner?”.

▶ Take advantage of our Nutiro Ultimate Guide on How to Meal Plan that gives you the flexibility to enjoy other meal planning options such as keto, paleo, vegan, gluten-free, etc.