Printable Weekly Meal Planners
In today’s busy world, planning and preparing for the week ahead can be a surprisingly effective tool to manage stress. These Printable Weekly Meal Planners I’ve developed will help you do just that!
They’re great for a busy parent trying to juggle their own work, their kid’s school activities, and their general home life! Alternatively for someone who likes to be organized, who is looking to make healthier food choices, or even someone who’s simply tired of food wasting away in their fridge because they keep forgetting about it.
A well thought-out weekly meal plan can reduce your stress, save you money, and ensure you always have something delicious to eat at home! And even better, this one’s completely free and easy to download.
Keep reading to find out how and for some inspiration too.
What’s Included With Our Printable Weekly Meal Planners
As you can see, I’ve included six different Printable Weekly Meal Planners, each with a different design. They all contain a simple and easy to read format so you can plan breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week for you and the family.
Some of them also include other sections like a grocery list, where you can helpfully plan out what you need to buy for that week’s plan. Or a notes section which you can choose what to write in it, like recipes or slight changes you can make to the menu.
They’re really flexible and will be able to suit your needs, no matter what your you eat. Choose which layout would work best for your family, or try out a few of them and see!
Each design is different, but they’re all colourful and fun. Have a look below to find your favorite one now!
Here are the steps to download this resource:
1. Choose your favorite design: Out of the 6, click on your favorite
2. Press download button: When this has opened the planner in another window, simply press the download button to begin this process.
3. Ready to go!: This will have downloaded the resource for free in a PDF format to your computer or device. You’re now ready to print it, fill it out and begin organizing your meals for the week!
Tips for Using This Planner
There are a few different ways I’d recommend using these Weekly Meal Planners.
One option would be to laminate the weekly planner. This means you can complete it for the week, follow it, and then erase it when the week’s over. Then write out a new week’s plan and repeat!
Or if you want to follow more of a routine, you could print out a few copies of the meal planners and fill them out. Pick one at the beginning of a week, and the following week a different one – rotate them so you don’t get bored of the recipes. This gives you consistently planned meals and more of a structure.
If you’re going to laminate them, a great option is to then glue a magnet onto the back and display the week’s meal plan on your fridge. This means everyone in the house knows what the plan is, and will be more likely to follow it.
If you’ve got fussy kids or kids who tend not to eat a lot at mealtimes, it can be great to sit with them and plan the week’s meals together. Ask what they’d like to eat and take this into account. At meal times they’ll hopefully be more comfortable since they know what to expect and helped plan.
Meal Inspiration Ideas
Now that you have your meal planner you can begin to fill it in!
If you’re feeling stuck or need some inspiration then here are some classic meals that can help get you started.
Breakfast Ideas:
Oatmeal with toppings: Quick, nutritious and filling. Top with fresh or dried fruit, nuts or honey.
Yoghurt bowl: Add your favorite yoghurt to a bowl with granola, fruit, or jelly. This is quick, simple and very customizable.
Scrambled eggs with toast: An easy to make classic. Eat with avocado, tomatoes or fruit to make it more filling.
Pancakes or waffles: Perfect for a weekend brunch with the family. Freeze any leftovers for an easy breakfast later too!
Lunch Ideas:
Grilled cheese and soup: A comforting and easy option. Have with any type of soup, and pair with a side salad for extra vegetables.
Turkey wraps: Fill your favorite type of wrap with a protein option or some roasted vegetables. Then you can add veggies, hummus, guacamole or hot sauce for flavour.
Baked potato: A roasted sweet potato can be a great source of fiber and vitamins. Top any type of baked potato with beans, avocado, or a tuna mix and then sauce.
Salads: Toss together leafy greens, fresh or roasted veggies, and a choice of protein like chicken, beans or tofu. Add a crunchy topping and dressing for a great filling meal.
Dinner Ideas:
Baked salmon with roasted vegetables: A healthy and flavourful dinner that’s easy to prepare and customize to your tastes.
Stir fry: Use any vegetables you have on hand and stir fry with a protein like shrimp, chicken or tofu. Serve with a sauce over rice or noodles.
Grilled chicken and veggies: Marinade or simply season your chicken, then grill it alongside your favorite veggies for a simple healthy meal.
Tacos: Prepare your favorite fillings like ground beef, chicken, or refried beans. Serve with salsa, lettuce and tomatoes, cheese and guacamole.
Some snack ideas would include things like trail mix, energy bars, sliced apples and a nut butter, veggie sticks and hummus, or hard boiled eggs.
More Great Printables
If you loved this resource and can’t wait to see what else we have to offer, then let me show you! If you enjoyed organizing your week’s meals this way and want to bring more organization into your life, check out our Printable Weekly Planner Templates:
Or, if your own mornings are running smoothly but you’re struggling to get your kids into a good routine, we’ve got you covered! Take a look at these Free Printable Morning Routine Charts: to help encourage their own routine.
