It’s 5pm, your baby is fussy, the kids are hungry, and you’re staring into the fridge wondering what on earth are we going to eat tonight? Sound familiar?
You’re not alone—this is one of the biggest struggles I hear from the moms I work with. Meal planning feels overwhelming, time-consuming, and sometimes even pointless when schedules are unpredictable. But here’s the truth: meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, when you keep it simple, it can free up time, reduce stress, and make your evenings run smoother.
In this post, I’m breaking down my simple 3-step meal planning system designed for busy postpartum moms. No color-coded calendars, no spending your whole Sunday cooking, no “chicken-broccoli-rice on repeat.” Just practical steps that actually fit your life.
Step 1: Pick Your Core Meals
Choose 3–4 family favorites to rotate each week. Keeping a short list of nutrient-dense, go-to meals makes planning fast and easy. Think:
- Sheet pan dinners
- Crockpot shredded chicken or beef for tacos/bowls
- One-pot pastas with veggies + protein
- Big salad night
Step 2: Plan Around Your Reality
Instead of planning 7 “perfect” dinners, look at your actual week:
- Busy evenings → leftovers, crockpot, freezer meals
- This can be for the nights the kids have swim or soccer practice or when you get home late
- Have something planned ahead of time to make that night easier
- Open evenings → try something new or more involved
- This is the time to make a meal from scratch, because you have the time
Meal planning should match your schedule, not fight against it.
Step 3: Prep Just Enough
You don’t need to spend hours meal prepping. A little goes a long way:
- Batch cook one protein
- Chop a few veggies
- Prep easy grab-and-go snacks
That’s enough to cut down on stress without overwhelming you.
You Got This!
Remember, meal planning isn’t about perfection. Even small steps like prepping breakfast for a few days or knowing three dinners in advance make a huge difference.
Inside my Strong, Nourished & Energized Mom Method, I help moms build realistic systems like this so food feels simple, not stressful. If you’re ready to feel confident with food again, check out the program here!
