How to Actually Stick to a Meal Plan

Real-life tips that work for busy moms

Let’s be honest—meal planning sounds like a great idea… until it’s Thursday night, your fridge is a mystery box, and you’re ordering takeout again. We've all been there. But with a few small shifts and a little intention, meal planning can actually become something that works—and makes your life so much easier.

Here are my top tips for actually following a meal plan (and not just pinning one on Pinterest):

1. Start with your calendar, not your cravings

Before you even think about recipes, take a look at your weekly schedule. What nights are busy with sports or activities? Which mornings are slow and open?

If you’ve got a free morning, that might be the perfect time to prep dinner and store it in the fridge for later. If your evenings are slammed, lean into crockpot meals or sheet pan dinners. Matching your meals to your actual life is a game-changer.

2. Keep it simple, always

I aim for 4–5 cooked meals each week—not seven. I always plan a night for leftovers or a “whatever’s in the fridge” meal.

When I physically write down what we’re having, I’m way more likely to start prepping earlier in the day. (No one wants to figure out dinner at 5:45 p.m.)

And don’t forget: there are tons of amazing meal planning apps that make this part even easier if writing it out isn’t your thing.

3. Do a quick inventory check

What’s already in your fridge and pantry? Before I plan anything, I scan what we have and try to build meals around that first. This helps avoid waste and saves money.

I usually do a quick check on Saturday or Sunday, then order groceries for delivery or pick-up on Monday. It makes the week flow so much smoother.

4. Only plan the main dish

I don’t stress about planning every side. We always have a variety of fresh produce or frozen veggies on hand, and I keep those super simple. Roasted, steamed, or raw—it works! Focusing on just the main dish keeps planning realistic and not overwhelming.

5. Build your “favorites” list

This is my favorite tip: when you make a meal your whole family devours—write it down!

I’m working on building a list of 20 “win” meals that are easy, healthy, and family-approved. We still try new things from time to time, but rotating the favorites keeps planning easy and makes dinner a lot more enjoyable (and predictable).

When the whole table is happy, you feel the win. Check out the recipes we share each week on the Wilma app for quick, easy, family friendly recipes you'll want to make again and again.

Your Turn!

Do you keep a running list of your family’s go-to meals? What helps you stick to a plan? Share your best tips with us!

Meal planning doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be the 20 minutes that save your whole week. 💛