Of all the meals in the day, dinner often seems to be the most challenging to plan. By the end of the day, we have less energy and experience decision fatigue, especially toward the end of the week. Even if you plan ahead, fitting dinner into busy schedules filled with work, school activities and sports often means deciding what to make a day or more in advance.

When dinnertime finally arrives, the meal itself may last only 30 minutes, but deciding what to make can take up mental space throughout the day. If you’re tired of the daily struggle to plan meals, you’re not alone. Here are some practical tips to make meal planning less stressful and more enjoyable:

Plan it: Design a weekly meal plan based on your schedule, preferences and nutrition goals. Use a calendar to determine when you need quick meals or give yourself a flex day if you plan to dine out.

Shop it: Create a grocery list from your meal plan and shop with the intention of saving time. Stay organized to avoid overbuying, and consider grocery pickup or delivery options to help prevent impulse purchases.

Cook it: Keep meals simple, determine which ingredients you can prep ahead of time and look for opportunities to batch cook. Use your meal plan to identify which foods you can prepare in larger quantities for meals later in the week.

Enjoy it: Gather around the table, enjoy the meal you’ve prepared and focus on the effort that went into getting dinner on the table. Use this time to connect as a family.

When life is busy, remember that dinner does not have to be complicated. Following a plan can reduce stress, save time and help you avoid last-minute meals from the drive-thru. As you stick to your plan, you can make variations each week or month to help ensure you’re making healthier choices each day.

Join OSU Health Plan Health Coaches Bonnie and Lindsay starting November 4 from noon to 12:30 p.m. for the Group Health Coaching Series, What’s for Dinner? Simple Meals, Healthy Choices. During this series, we will develop a personalized one-month dinner plan using balanced meal-building principles, meal rotation and time-saving strategies to support healthy eating. Click here to register today.

Explore Wellness Programs and Events

We’ve made it easier than ever to find the latest OSU Health Plan wellness programs and events. Our Wellness Calendar and Event page brings program details, registration information and upcoming wellness events together in one convenient location. Bookmark the page and check back regularly for the most up-to-date information on OSU Health Plan wellness programs and events. Your wellness journey starts here!