Review your initial menu in detail. Check your weekly meals to ensure you have the whole list. Confirm that all the meals in your menu are noted. List your most frequent meal, your favorite meal and the most common ingredient in the recipes in your menu. Mark these meals so that you can find substitutes or replacements in your new menu.
Ask your friends with some expertise for ideas for your new menu. Inquire about their personal menus to come up with ideas for your menu. Take time to sample some of the meals from your friends' menus. Look for holiday-themed menus like Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve or exotic menus like Chinese or Italian.
Consult your nutritionist to get advice on healthy meals. Ask about balanced diets and alternatives to junk in your current menu. Note the suggestions made by your nutritionist and make a list of those you can afford. Read health magazines on food and nutrition to learn more. Look for journals and read newspaper articles on food recipes to gather ideas for your new menu.
Watch TV shows on cooking to get new ideas you want to incorporate into your new menu. Write down the recipes used in cooking the meals inclusive of the items and methods. Read cookbooks with interesting recipes to help you with ideas to improve your menu. Set up a plan for variety in your menu. Choose a category for each day to enable you to classify the foods you would like in your menu like poultry, pastry or veggies.
Surf the Internet for different meals. Visit websites that feature ideas for lunch or dinner. Check for different options like appetizers, desserts, classic recipes and side dishes. Take notes on these menus. Look for meals made from simple and affordable ingredients that are healthy and nutritious.