Meal-Plan. If you’ve gotten out of habit over summer, re-start this week. If you’ve never really done it – this is an excellent time to start.

Meal planning is the critical missing step for many families who are struggling to get healthier patterns of eating in the home.

This isn’t your fault: No one makes good decisions when they are under pressure, flying into a grocery store at 5.30pm after a commute home.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few take-away messages:

1. Perfection is the enemy of good. Just keep it simple, and like all things, it gets easier as you do it. It might take a few weeks to get it “right.”

2. Get expert step-by-step how-to and starter meal plans at SafeFood

3. Anyone who just thought: “I don’t have time to meal plan!” – You likely don’t have time NOT to meal plan.

4. Anyone who just thought: “I can’t afford to meal plan.” – You likely need to meal plan. Food insecurity is unfortunate reality for so many in this country. Meal planning can be a critical step in getting more control over the food budget and reducing food waste.

5. That meal plan isn’t just for DINNER – It’s also for BREAKFAST (breakfast is important!! Have a plan with your teen that is not stopping at a shop on the walk to school). It’s SNACKS.

(6. If you cut yourself out of the family meal plan because you are skipping meals – or eating only nutrition-less snacks like rice cakes or jelly – because you are on a GLP1a – it is urgently time to talk to your doctor or a CORU-registered dietitian.)