Switch up the Plan

When mealtime rolls around, do you have trouble figuring out what to eat? Do you find yourself eating the same few meals and snacks over and over again? There's a way to get out of this rut — be more flexible with your food! Trying new foods, recipes, and cooking techniques can shake up your whole routine. For instance, if you always eat cold cereal for breakfast, try oatmeal, or baking muffins on the weekend and freezing several for future weekday mornings. Add some novel toppings to your lunch salad or rotate some new fillings into your sandwiches. Even as simple a change as mixing up your snacks can help get you out of a food rut. Swap your granola bar for some fresh fruit, sample a new flavor or style of yogurt, or try some exotic nuts (or nut butters!). When it comes to dinner, the best way to increase your flexibility may actually be to make a schedule. Plan what you will eat for dinner every night for a week, being sure to include several new recipes, and stock up on the ingredients you'll need on your next trip to the grocery store. Then you'll be all set to prepare new dishes when the time comes, instead of falling back on an old standby when your stomach starts rumbling.