 Tomorrow you are having friends over for dinner.  There will be 8 people in total, 4 adults and 4 children.  You would like to prepare a meal that requires little work while your company is over so you can spend as much time with them as possible.  In addition, you know the children are picky eaters and one of the adults is allergic to peanuts. › What would you serve based on the information you do have? › Is there any other information you need in order to plan your meal?

 Menu Planning: › Constructing a single balanced meal by grouping food groups in their proper amounts. › Another example can be for a more formal dinner such as planning and preparing:  Hors d'oeuvres  Appetizer – salad or soup  Main course/entrée  Dessert

 What do you need to consider? › Availability of ingredients › Preparation time › Cost › Nutrition › Ability/skill in the kitchen › Presentation

 Meal Planning: › Planning what you are going to serve for multiple meals for a certain amount of time

 May plan for a: › Week › Day › Month › Many months er.aspx#

› Saves Time  At home and at the grocery store › Saves Money  Reduces impulse buying  Only buy what you need › Promotes variety › Promotes healthy eating  Less likely to grab for something convenient such as fast food

 Food Preferences › Likes and dislikes  Nutritional Needs › Consider age groups and stages of life › A preschooler, teenager, and a grandparent will all have different nutritional needs

 Special Dietary Needs › Consider allergies, health conditions, etc.  Use and availability of resources › A person’s skills in the kitchen › Cooking equipment available › Nearby grocery stores › Etc.

 Season of the Year › Hot and hearty in winter › Cool and light in summer  Meal Appeal › What it looks like: contrasts in food textures, colours, flavour, shape, size, and temperature › Garnishes

 Cost › Factors that affect how much families spend on food  Total family income  Amount of food eaten away from home  Food prices  Amount of food waste  Types of foods prepared (meat is generally more expensive)  Time and skills available/kitchen expertise  Knowledge of proper food storage

 Try to choose main dish first (i.e., chicken as your protein, then build around that)  Aim for balanced nutrition and variety throughout the week (use Canada’s Food Guide as a resource)  Set aside a regular time and place for meal planning  Ask family members about plans for the week – may change what you prepare

 Check newspaper ads to see what foods are on sale  Plan nutritious snacks as well as meals  Check the refrigerator, freezer and kitchen cabinets to see what foods you have on hand › Think of ways to use these foods in your plan  Make a grocery list › Group into grocery areas to get it done faster and more efficiently

 May seem like a lot of work at first, but it becomes easier with practice!  In the long run, weekly meal planning is well worth it!  Sample handouts: › Meal planning chart/Sample weekly meal plan › Shopping list in categories

 Handout  In pairs or small groups, devise strategies for the meal planning challenges for both families and individuals.

1. List your family members. 2. Plan a meal that would accommodate all members of your family. 3. Take into account everyone’s schedule, allergies, likes, dislikes, activity level, etc. 4. You may have to substitute/provide alternatives for certain members of your family (this will be good practice for your meal at home planning!)