Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Meal plan tips please!

3 replies

PrehistoricMother · 16/10/2025 17:32

Any tips for meal planning? I am not sure what I am doing wrong and end up panicking at dinner time or make “half” dishes, so veg and pasta but no protein, no salads etc. Would love to know what you do and if you have ideas for our situation.

We are two adults and our almost toddler (16m old) and we both work. LO is at nursery Mon-Thurs so we only do dinner for him on those days, and perhaps breakfast depending on when he is up. Then Fri-Sun we are together so schedule is more variable with being out and about. We have pasta very often, and occasionally a Gousto box for us adults. For example tonight I only managed a vegetable rice dish (Greek recipe, I am Greek) and that’s all. Toddler eats carbs, eggs and sometimes mincemeat, not big on veg and no fish. He does not eat potatoes either! I can cook Greek/ Italian/ Med food but it can take ages.

I am not keen on ready meals but i wonder if I miss any obvious shortcuts?!

My partner is not great at cooking and I work from home most days so I can do it. I am really stuck on when/ how to make more elaborate meals for example lasagna, or meatballs from scratch. I have only been able to do meal prep if I dedicate 2h over weekend. Is there any other way? I don’t know how can I make home cooked meals all the time and give time to my family when realistically I have about 30-40’ of prep time a day between work and need to also have a break, put a wash on etc

OP posts:
Farticus101 · 16/10/2025 20:26

If you input what ingredients your family likes eating into Chat gpt and ask for a weekly/ monthly meal plan it will take some of the thinking out. Specify it needs to be toddler friendly and nutritionally balanced, as well as under 30 minutes cooking time.

In general though, frozen chopped veg and making tray bakes are time savers.

PrehistoricMother · 16/10/2025 20:43

Farticus101 · 16/10/2025 20:26

If you input what ingredients your family likes eating into Chat gpt and ask for a weekly/ monthly meal plan it will take some of the thinking out. Specify it needs to be toddler friendly and nutritionally balanced, as well as under 30 minutes cooking time.

In general though, frozen chopped veg and making tray bakes are time savers.

This is a great idea, I didn’t even think of that! Thank you!

OP posts:
DancefloorAcrobatics · 16/10/2025 20:52

Make a base and you are half way there.

Mince in chopper equal parts carrots, celery and onions. Fry (with tomato puree if you want for a richer taste) and use as base for sauce like tomato, curries, stews, risito, soup ... I have it instead of stock cubes.

You can freeze it raw or fried.

I also think if you make any sauce try and double up and freeze the extra.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page