The Four-Day Spaghetti Philosophy: How to meal plan for real life
It's incredibly frustrating to feel like you’re doing everything right, only to check your grocery spending at the end of the month and get an unpleasant surprise. With food prices going up and package sizes down, wondering if the checkout line has an Afterpay option is almost routine.
Fortunately, there are still levers to pull. One strategy I’ve found helpful: pick a few recipes, make a list, and shop no more than twice a week. This works because every time you set foot in the grocery store, you’ll probably end up with at least a couple impulse buys. No shame, it’s normal - we’re using strategy to outwit human nature, not suppress it. I know meal planning can be daunting if you’re just getting started, so here are five practical tips:
Plan for eating out. For just me, I usually cook three recipes with four servings each, grab a few things for breakfast, and make or buy something to snack on between meals. I leave slots for two meals out during the week, so if I have an irrepressible craving for Domino’s, I’m not letting food spoil at home.
Keep it easy. Picking elaborate recipes with thirty ingredients almost guarantees that some will be wasted, either because the recipe didn’t use the full amount or because, well… Domino’s. If the choice is between spending three hours in the kitchen or heading down the street for takeout, that’s a very different calculation than making a quick stir fry.
Check the fridge. Preferably twice, once while you’re deciding what to make, so you can use up any lingering herbs or veggies from last week, and once before you head to the store. I can’t even count the duplicate scallions I’ve bought because I forgot there were some in the crisper drawer.
Switch it up. Maybe you’re superhuman and can eat the same thing all week. Personally, I get bored after about three servings. I time my cooking so there are two different options prepped, one for lunch and one for dinner. This means food lingers in the fridge a bit longer, but I’d rather eat four-day-old spaghetti than spaghetti four meals in a row.
Be nice. To yourself, that is - even as a person who enjoys cooking, some weeks are Not It. If you’re feeling depleted, or know you have an especially busy time coming up, there’s no shame in going to Trader Joe’s for some frozen meals to get through the week.
The goal is to fix invisible money leaks, not stop spending entirely. I want you to eat well, have time for things you care about, and feel in control, not deprived. So adapt these ideas to fit your life and leave room for joy. Sometimes the bill is a little higher because the store finally brought back your favorite cheesecake - and that’s a good thing.
If you have a question or a meal prep tip to share, I'm all ears: tara@trekwithtara.com.
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