Meals I’ve made for my toddler this week🫶🏼
#toddlermealideas #kidsmeals #mealsfortheweek #toddlermeals #mealideasfortoddlers
1️⃣💡Fun fact: All of these meals are budget friendly.
My budget for groceries consists of $1,000 per month. (Not counting my babies $250 of formula per month)
2️⃣💡We are a family of 5. $1,000 for groceries a month is a good deal.
3️⃣💡Pros of having a budget of $1,000 for groceries each month if you are a family of 5 and up…
•💡We do not run out of meals✅
•💡If you have a local store with low cost groceries like Winco Foods, Aldi, or foodmaxx Is ideal for this budget. I personally shop at Winco foods as I can get a full cart with only $200 worth of groceries that lasts us a little over 1 week.
4️⃣❌Cons of having a budget of $1,000 for groceries each month if you are a family of 5 and up…
•❌You cannot shop at expensive grocery stores that have all the “limited edition” seasonal goodies, & the high end bakeries with all the special details like Safeway, Whole Foods, Kroger, Sprouts, lucky, even HEB is up there (in my opinion)
•❌Very little to no money left for snacks or goodies.
We try to just buy the important stuff which is the meat, veggies, fruits, cereals, dairy, drinks, bread, etc. which basically leaves us with nothing for snacks.🫶🏼 and that is ok! One day we will afford it but we are grateful for what we can get right now🥰
This is the information I’ve gathered based on my experience, and I also live in Cali. If you live in a cheaper state this budget will probably last you longer. I did not include the babies 8-9 cans of formula per month🙃 which is around $250.
Tip1️⃣: Spend $200 per week on groceries.
Tip2️⃣: Make a menu for every day of the week or even 5 days of the week as you can be left with leftovers. This will help you in knowing what to buy and cook for the 7 days of the week. Mon-Fri I cook and the rest we eat leftovers or have a frozen pizza night.
Planning meals for toddlers can be both fun and challenging, particularly for families on a budget. This article provides several meal ideas that cater to a toddler's tastes and nutritional needs while maintaining an affordable grocery budget of $1,000 per month for a family of five. One of the keys to successful meal planning is to create a menu that covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the week. This not only helps parents avoid the last-minute scramble to decide what's for dinner but also ensures that meals are varied and balanced. Breakfast options can be fun and exciting, such as cinnamon mini waffles paired with fruit or heart-shaped blueberry pancakes, which are sure to make your toddler smile. For lunch, nutritious choices like quesadillas and eggrolls can be both appealing and easy to prepare. When it comes to dinner, simple recipes like chicken with mashed potatoes or pizza margherita can be family favorites. Utilizing budget grocery stores like Winco Foods and Aldi can significantly aid in meal preparation budgets. These stores offer affordable produce, meats, and dairy products that can help maintain a diverse diet without breaking the bank. Additionally, considering leftovers or quick meal alternatives, like frozen pizzas for busy nights, can streamline dinner prep. Overall, with careful planning and a little creativity, feeding a toddler on a budget can be manageable and enjoyable!
I’ll take a plate as well thank you 🤗