What is meal planning and why is it important?

At its core, meal planning means deciding ahead what meals you'll cook and eat throughout the week. It involves:

• Choosing the recipes
• Listing ingredients
• Scheduling meals by day
• Shopping for what you need

The process doesn't need to be rigid or overly structured. Some people like to plan every meal for the week, while others just want a rough idea for dinners. The goal is to reduce guesswork and make mealtime easier.

If you're new to meal planning, here's a simple way to get started:

1. Take a look at your week

   Check your schedule—if you're busy one night, plan for something quick or use leftovers.

2. Choose your meals

   Start with a few core meals you enjoy. Over time, build a library of go-to recipes you can rotate.

3. Make a grocery list

   Write down the ingredients you'll need. Bonus: group items by category to make shopping smoother.

4. Shop and prep (if needed)

   Shop for the week and, if you have time, prep some ingredients in advance to save time later.

If you prefer to not do all of this manually, there are tools that can help streamline the process. For example, Mealy makes it easy to save your favorite recipes, generate weekly plans based on your preferences, and create grocery lists in one click—great if you want a head start or just need a little structure.

Meal planning does more than just answer the question “What's for dinner?”—it brings real-life benefits you'll feel every week.

• Less stress

  You won't have to decide what to cook every single day—it's already planned.

• Healthier meals

  With meals mapped out, you're more likely to cook balanced dishes and less likely to default to takeout.

• Saves your precious time

  No more last-minute trips to the grocery store or scrambling for ingredients.

• Budget-friendly

  When you plan ahead, you shop with intention and avoid unnecessary purchases.

• Reduced food waste

  You'll use up what you buy, which means fewer forgotten leftovers or spoiled produce.

• More variety in what you eat

  Planning ahead allows you to break out of routine and try new recipes regularly.

There's no one right way to meal plan. Some people thrive with detailed spreadsheets, while others prefer flexible tools or apps. Whether you jot things down in a notebook, use a shared calendar with your family, or turn to apps like Mealy to help you generate a weekly plan and grocery list, the key is to find a system that fits your life.

Start small—plan just a few dinners this week—and build from there. Over time, meal planning becomes a habit that not only saves you time and money but also makes eating at home feel more intentional and enjoyable.

Want to make meal planning easier week after week? Try saving a few of your favorite meals in one place, building a simple rotation, or using a tool that supports you. Little changes can make a big difference.