Meal Planning Tips for Busy Cheer Moms

Danielle Deblasio
Sep 26
3 min read

Updated: Sep 28

Meal Planning Tips for Busy Cheer Moms

Being a cheer mom is such a rewarding experience, but let’s be real—it’s also nonstop. Between practices, games, and competition weekends, finding time to make healthy meals can feel like just another impossible task on the to-do list. But with a little planning (and a few shortcuts), meal prep doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are some practical tips I’ve learned that make feeding the family a little easier while juggling the crazy cheer schedule.

Know Your Schedule

The first step is looking at your week ahead. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve planned a big dinner only to realize we had back-to-back practices that night.

Here’s what helps me:

Use a calendar. Whether it’s on your phone or a paper planner, write down practices, games, and events.
Highlight busy nights. On those nights, you’ll want quick meals or leftovers ready to go.

Once you see your week laid out, you can plan meals that fit your actual schedule—not the “perfect” week that never exists.

Make a Simple Meal Plan

Meal planning doesn’t have to be fancy. Even just sketching out what you’ll make for dinner each night is a huge help.

A few tips:

Stick with easy recipes. Sheet pan dinners, crockpot meals, and one-pot pastas are lifesavers.
Get the kids involved. Let them pick a meal or two each week—it keeps them excited to eat (and helps with picky eaters).
Plan for leftovers. Double up on meals when you can. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

Grocery Shopping Without the Stress

Nothing derails a meal plan faster than a last-minute store run. Here’s how I keep it simple:

Make a list by category. Group things into produce, dairy, pantry, etc.—it saves so much time in the store.
One big shop a week. This keeps me out of the store (and away from impulse buys).
Try grocery pickup or delivery. If you’re running between cheer practice and work, this is a game changer.

Prep Ahead When You Can

I’m not talking about spending your whole Sunday meal-prepping like a fitness influencer. Just a few small steps make the week easier:

Chop up veggies and store them in containers.
Cook pasta, rice, or quinoa in bulk.
Portion out snacks so the kids can just grab them on the way out the door.

Even 30 minutes of prep can save you hours during the week.

Quick Go-To Meals

There are some nights where you just need something fast. These are my favorite “cheer mom emergency meals”:

Taco night. Cook the meat ahead of time, set out toppings, and let everyone build their own.
Stir-fry. Pre-chopped veggies + chicken + soy sauce = done in 15 minutes.
Breakfast for dinner. Scrambled eggs, toast, fruit—easy and always a hit.

Get the Family Involved

Meal prep shouldn’t all fall on you. Give everyone a role—it really helps.

Little kids can wash veggies or set the table.
Older kids can cook simple meals on nights you’re busy.
Make it fun—turn on some music and cook together.

Stay Flexible

If there’s one thing cheer has taught me, it’s that schedules change—constantly. When that happens, don’t stress.

Keep a couple of “backup” meals (frozen pizza, pantry pasta, etc.).
Swap meals around if a busy night sneaks up on you.
Go easy on yourself—it’s okay if things don’t go perfectly.

Leftovers Are Your Friend

Never underestimate the power of leftovers. They save time, money, and sanity.

Turn last night’s chicken into wraps or salads.
Toss leftover veggies into a soup.
Freeze extra portions for those crazy weeks when you just can’t cook.

Make It Fun

Meal planning doesn’t have to be boring. A few ways I keep it fun:

Theme nights like “Taco Tuesday” or “Sheet Pan Sunday.”
Try one new recipe each week to keep things interesting.
Celebrate cooking together—set the table nicely, play music, and enjoy the process.

Final Thoughts

Being a cheer mom means life is busy, but meal planning doesn’t have to be another stressor. By knowing your schedule, keeping things simple, and involving the family, you can make sure everyone eats well without losing your sanity. And remember—some weeks will go perfectly, and some weeks you’ll end up at the drive-thru. That’s okay. It’s all about balance and doing the best you can.