I really could go on and on about how important it is to eat healthy meals at home versus the fast-food that’s high in fat, calories, and sodium. We’re all busy these days which means more of us tend to use the drive-thru at McDonalds to save us some time and spare us from cooking a meal at home. If you’re trying to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle, you’re going to have to cut back on how often your smiling face shows up at the drive-thru window. One way to do this is to plan meals, healthy meals in advance.

There are two main reasons why I like to plan my meals in advance. The first is so that I know exactly what I’ll be eating on a daily basis which means I know how much time I’ll need to prepare the meal so that I can fit it into my schedule. Most of the meals that I prepare take between 20–40 minutes, which really isn’t THAT much time when you think about the benefits you’ll receive from eating a nutritious, healthy meal at home.

The second reason I like to plan my meals in advance is so that I can go to the store with a specific list of ingredients in my hand. Why is this important? Well, when you don’t bring a list with you, you’ll walk up and down the isles looking for what you might need. And in the process you’ll be tempted by unhealthy items, or stuff you simply don’t need which also means you’ll spend more. Bringing a list to the store with what I need saves me calories AND money.

So how far in advance should you plan your meals? I’d say plan at least one week’s worth of healthy meals before you head out to the grocery store. Sometimes I go overboard and plan for an entire month, do one big shop, and then go back to the store once a week to pick up fresh veggies, fruits, and milk. You do whatever works best for you, and remember, don’t go to the grocery store hungry! You’ll be tempted by junk food and might have an impulse to buy something you know you don’t need. Planning healthy meals in advance matters, and will be key to helping you lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.