{"id":24575,"date":"2025-12-09T09:39:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T16:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/?post_type=newsletters&p=24575"},"modified":"2025-12-09T09:39:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T16:39:54","slug":"menu-planning-during-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"newsletters","link":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/newsletters\/menu-planning-during-the-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Meal Planning During The Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holiday season brings the magic of family traditions, gatherings, and festive meals. For busy parents juggling work, family, and holiday responsibilities, this time of year can feel more chaotic than cheerful.<\/p>\n

Between trimming the tree, shopping for gifts, attending concerts and parties, and visiting friends and family, it\u2019s safe to say the calendar fills up quickly. This year, don\u2019t let meal planning fall to the wayside just because your schedule is packed.<\/p>\n

Because cooking is such a central part of the holidays, it helps to have a few shortcuts ready. They\u2019ll save you time, reduce stress, and leave you with more energy to spend with the people you love \u2013 without spending all day on your feet in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Meal planning can actually simplify<\/em> the season. When you decide ahead of time how, when, and what you\u2019ll eat, you eliminate guesswork and make mealtimes smoother. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n

Save Time<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creating a holiday meal plan takes a bit of upfront effort, but it pays off when it matters most. Instead of scrambling for meal ideas or making last-minute grocery runs, you can rely on a plan filled with simple, family-favorite dishes. That means more time for family moments and holiday activities.<\/p>\n

Maintain Healthy Habits<\/strong><\/p>\n

With parties, dinners, and cookie swaps everywhere you turn, it\u2019s easy to overindulge. A meal plan helps you stay grounded in your healthy habits. When you know what you\u2019re eating ahead of time, you\u2019re less likely to overeat or grab less nutritious options on the fly.<\/p>\n

Outline Your Holiday Calendar<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start by mapping out your schedule. Include every holiday or food-related event \u2013 parties, Christmas dinner, school activities, cookie exchanges, and more. This helps you identify which meals you need to plan at home and which days you\u2019ll be eating out.<\/p>\n

Keep the Plan Manageable<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be realistic. Now is not the time for complicated recipes or multi-step cooking projects. Stick to tried-and-true meals and the simplest dishes you know your family loves.<\/p>\n

And remember, not everything has to be homemade. Convenient, time-saving items like rotisserie chicken, pre-cut vegetables, or bagged salads can elevate a meal without any hassle.<\/p>\n

Use Your Kitchen Appliances<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let slow cookers and pressure cookers do the work for you. They\u2019re great for big batches of soups, stews, and other dishes that can stretch across several meals. One-pot or sheet-pan recipes also mean less cleanup and more time to enjoy the season.<\/p>\n

Stock Snacks and Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having healthy snacks on hand prevents overeating at parties and keeps everyone fueled for busy days. Try stocking:<\/p>\n