The best way to cut food waste and save money is to plan your meals and shop smart—buy only what you need and make a plan for how you’ll use it.
No experience needed—whether you’re new to meal planning or already have a routine, our simple tips can help you build healthy food habits and take the stress out of planning.
Follow our 3 easy steps to get started
1. Take stock
Not only do you need to check what food supplies you have in your fridge, freezer and cupboards, but it’s also worth looking at your diary and see what you have coming up next week.
What is in your pantry or fridge that needs to be eaten this week? Will you be home everyday to make a meal? Do you have leftovers in the fridge that need using up? Do you need a quick and easy meal one night because you are staying late at work? Do you have a social event that will change the weekly routine?
Handy hints:
- Check in with the people you share meals with about their plans for the week, so you can avoid any last-minute changes to your meal plans.
2. Choose your meals
Planning your meals is helpful in so many ways. Not only will you reduce the food you waste as well as saving some money, it can also save your valuable time and help you avoid the dreaded 5pm panic.
When making a meal plan, start with what you already have. Do you have a squash that has been in the cupboard for a few weeks? Put squash pancakes on the menu. Last week’s veggies still in the fridge? Put them into a frittata or smoothie. Find recipes here.
Once you have an idea of what meals you can make with the food you already have, add a couple of family favourites into the mix so you have enough meals for the week. Write your plan on a whiteboard or on a piece of paper and keep it on the fridge.
Handy hints:
- Try to plan a meal that can be used for two nights e.g. a big pot of ground beef could be spaghetti bolognese one night and shepherd’s pie the next.
- Plan to have a freezer night every now and then when you use up leftovers and things you have frozen.
- Planning only five or six meals for the week gives you flexibility if your plans change or you feel that getting take out is in order.
3. Make your list
Once you have a meal plan it should be easy to write your shopping list.
Check your fridge, freezer and cupboards carefully to see what you need. Open jars or pick things up to see how much is left in them.
It might sound silly, but the key thing now is to remember to take your shopping list with you to the supermarket! Tuck your shopping list in your wallet as soon as you have finished writing it. Better yet, take a photo of it, or record it on your phone – there are plenty of free apps to help you.
Handy hints:
- When you run out of items, note them down on a whiteboard or piece of paper on the fridge so you don’t forget them when you come to make your shopping list.
- If you don’t have time to write a list, take a photo of your fridge and pantry so you have at least some idea of what’s in there.
- Beware of bulk buying deals. They may look like a good deal but if you won’t use all of it then it is a waste of food and money. Only buy things in bulk that you know for sure you will use, such as pantry essentials (rice, flour etc.) and things that have long shelf lives like canned tomatoes.
- Buying foods that can be used for several different dishes gives you the flexibility to create different meals.
Find more meal-planning tips
Arm yourself with these ten easy tips and you’ll be scheduling meals and saving food like a pro in no time at all.
Need some inspiration?
Search for a recipe to cook this week
Not sure how much to cook?
We have a handy portion guide to help you make sure you have just the right amount.
