New and already struggling!

[ShadowHarts]

I've only just started this week and am already feeling overwhelmed with the meal planning taking so long to do, and costing so much. I feel like I'm missing a simple step or am making it more difficult for myself? I don't know how to plan to make sure no food gets wasted over the week

It can seem overwhelming at first. Do you have access to Slimming World online? If so, they do menu plans which may help. Even if you don't want to follow an entire day as they suggest it might give you some ideas to get you started. If you find a recipe you enjoy try making extra portions that you can keep in the fridge or freeze to use another day. I work 3 days a week so the night before my 1st day I make a batch of pasta salad and a big tub of fresh fruit that I can box up each morning to take to work. The thread on here Slimming World support #3 2017 is also a good source of advice and encouragement that I've found invaluable. It does get easier, honest!

Batch cooking is a real time saver in the long run. For lunches this week I made a vat of SW chickpea and aubergine stew thingy and had it or three days-one day with couscous, one with a jacket potato and one with crispbreads so for a quick recipie it was a good one☺

I felt like this when I started. Now I meal plan every week. I keep breakfast the same most days (creature of habit) and rotate lunches. Evening meals I have adapted our favourites like cottage pie (syn the butter, use low fat mince). I try a new recipe most weeks off the website.

I have a weekly and monthly shopping list I refer to with most stuff we need on it then just go through and add extras for the new recipes. I find it easier to do a weekly meal plan and online shop. I also batch cook meals that defrost quickly like chilli, bolognese, soup, cottage pie so if I come in starving I don't reach for junk!

Costs wise it does seem expensive, especially having loads of fruit but by planning, we reckon we avoid the nip in to the local extortionately expensive co-op where extra milk turns into £30 on chocolate/crisps etc so we think we probably break even! I'd say it cost more to get new clothing but I put out a plea on my SW group's fb page about having no clothes that fit. One girl gave me clothes she no longer needed and another offered to take in any dresses that I love!