Here’s a 5-day meal plan for your family of 3 with a budget of $250, focusing on healthy meals using chicken and beef for protein. The plan includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, and ensures leftovers for one day. The shopping list is categorized and designed to stay within budget, covering all the essentials like milk, cheese, and yogurts. 5-Day Meal Plan Day 1: Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach and whole-grain toast Lunch: Chicken and vegetable stir-fry with brown rice Dinner: Baked chicken thighs with roasted sweet potatoes and green beans Snack: Apple slices with peanut butter Day 2: Breakfast: Greek yogurt with honey, granola, and mixed berries Lunch: Turkey and cheese wrap with a side of carrot sticks Dinner: Beef and vegetable casserole with quinoa Snack: Almonds and an orange Day 3: Breakfast: Smoothie with spinach, banana, almond milk, and protein powder (if available) Lunch: Chicken Caesar salad with homemade dressing (using yogurt) Dinner: Beef tacos with lettuce, cheese, salsa, and whole wheat tortillas Snack: Celery sticks with hummus Day 4: Breakfast: Oatmeal with sliced bananas and a sprinkle of cinnamon Lunch: Leftover beef casserole with a side salad Dinner: Grilled chicken breast with roasted Brussels sprouts and quinoa Snack: Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey Day 5: Breakfast: Whole-grain pancakes with a side of turkey sausage Lunch: Chicken and avocado wrap with a side of cucumber slices Dinner: Beef stir-fry with mixed vegetables and rice Snack: Carrot sticks with ranch dip (optional) Shopping List (Broken Down by Category) Protein: 3 lbs chicken thighs (for multiple meals) 2 lbs ground beef (for casseroles and tacos) 1 pack turkey breast slices (for wraps) 1 pack turkey sausage (for pancakes breakfast) 1 dozen eggs Dairy: 1 gallon milk 1 block cheddar cheese (8 oz) 1 container Greek yogurt (32 oz) 1 container shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz) Produce: 2 lbs sweet potatoes 2 bags spinach (fresh) 2 bags mixed salad greens 1 bunch bananas 3 apples 2 oranges 2 cucumbers 3-4 carrots 1 head broccoli 1 bag Brussels sprouts 1 avocado 1 pint mixed berries (frozen or fresh) 1 bunch celery 1 lemon 1 head of garlic 1 onion 1 tomato 1 bell pepper 1 lime Grains: 1 loaf whole-grain bread 1 bag brown rice (2 lbs) 1 box quinoa (1 lb) 1 pack whole wheat tortillas 1 bag granola (small) 1 container oats (steel-cut or rolled) Canned & Dry Goods: 1 can diced tomatoes (for casserole and stir-fry) 1 jar salsa 1 jar peanut butter 1 bottle olive oil 1 bag almonds (snack) 1 pack taco seasoning (or individual spices if you prefer) 1 bottle vinegar (for dressing) Other: 1 bottle ranch dressing (optional) 1 bag hummus (or ingredients to make it) Estimated Total Cost: This shopping list is designed to be around $240–$250 based on average prices at Hy-Vee in Nebraska. Adjustments can be made depending on sale items or specific store prices. Additional Notes: Leftovers: Meals like the beef casserole, chicken stir-fry, and beef tacos are designed to generate leftovers, making Day 4’s lunch easy. Snack Options: Yogurt, almonds, carrots, and fruit are versatile snacks that can be rotated throughout the week. Prep Tips: Batch-cook rice and quinoa for easy meal prep, and roast extra veggies for future meals. You can also prepare the pancake mix ahead of time for a quick breakfast on Day 5.