FREE 10+ Menu Planner Samples in PDF

Menu planning is one of the most important things that you should do if you want to save your money as well as your time when it comes to preparing your ingredients and cooking your meals. When you plan what you eat, you have more time to consider how to adjust your food expenses in the budget plan, as well as make your grocery shopping list. Furthermore, when you plan ahead of time, you can maximize even your daily schedule without worries. In this article, we will help you create a wonderful and effective menu planner which will help you greatly in various ways. 

10+ Menu Planner Samples

1. Weekly Menu Planner

2. One Week Menu Planner

3. Fillable Menu Planner

4. Family Meal Menu Planner

5. Meals Menu Planner

6. 1-Week Menu Planner

7. Week 1 Menu Planner

8. Seven-Day Menu Planner for Diabetics

9. Monthly Menu Planner

10. Dietitian Menu Planner

11. Holiday Menu Planner

What Is a Menu Planner?

A menu planner is a type of personal planner where the individual can write their daily or weekly meal plans, grocery list, and ingredients inventory list. This is a helpful tool for anyone who wants to make sure that whatever they eat is regulated or checked and that they won’t waste more money by buying redundant ingredients which are already available in the pantry or their kitchen cabinets. The menu planner is a great combination of expense sheets, budget plans, and to-do lists as the individual can truly and fully maximize their time and resources when it comes to planning their routine in grocery shopping and cooking. 

How to Create a Menu Planner?

There are various ways to make a menu planner, but what you really need are ideas and a load of good materials so you can express your creativity as well. In the following paragraphs, we will give you some tips and advice that will help you efficiently create your planner in no time. 

1. Grab a Notebook or Get a Template

The first thing you will need to do is find material that you can write your planner on. It can either be an unused journal that comes with a simple daily calendar or a template. Both materials can be excellent tools since they are not easy to lose. Do not use a loose sheet of paper since they tend to get lost easily, torn, or get wet. 

2. List Down Foods You Want To Eat

Next, you need to write down the names of the food you want to eat during the day or week. In listing them down, make sure that they are within your budget and diet plans, especially if you are muscle training or under a weight loss program. Take note of their nutritional value as well, more when you are feeding a family with different nutritional needs and under diet care. Separate them into the main meal categories such as breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. If you are taking different beverages other than water, include them in your list as well.

3. Put the Time and Date

The next step after writing your food list is to write down the date and time in which you want to prepare them. This will help you manage your schedule as well since you can adjust your time between food preparation, cooking, and serving. If your meal planner is good for a week, indicate the day when a meal should be prepared. This is also applicable when you are planning to go grab some ingredients from the grocery store so you won’t waste time. 

4. Update Your Planner Always

Make it a habit to update your meal planner all throughout the week. This is important if you are meticulous about what you or your family will eat and what food should be abolished in the household (especially if one family member is diagnosed with a food allergy to a certain ingredient). If you want to divide the tasks between your family members, especially when someone is taking over the kitchen when you’re not there, updating your planner is a must. The planner will also serve as a notice and schedule for your husband or child so they can prepare meals accordingly.

Plan your meals ahead of time so you can prepare a variety of meals that you and your family will love, plus you get to budget your shopping money effectively. Download our editable, printable, and creative menu planner templates today by accessing our website or clicking on our available samples on this page.