January always feels different.
After all the handaan, takeout, desserts, and gastos of December, most of us enter the new year thinking the same things:
- “Kailangan na magtipid.”
- “Balik bahay na ulit ang luto.”
- “Medyo healthy naman sana… pero masarap pa rin.”
If that sounds like you, this January 2026 meal plan is exactly for you. This isn’t a strict diet or a fancy meal prep plan. It’s a realistic reset — the kind that works for Filipino families.
What This January Meal Plan Is (and Isn’t)
✔ Budget-conscious
✔ Family-approved
✔ Easy to cook on weekdays
✔ Mostly lutong bahay
✔ Flexible (swap ingredients anytime)
❌ Not a diet
❌ Not calorie-counted
❌ Not expensive
Week 1: Simple Reset Meals (Balik-Luto Mode)
Monday
Chicken Tinola (Budget Cut)
- Chicken wings or necks
- Sayote or papaya
Light, comforting, and easy after holiday eating.
Tuesday
Fried Fish + Ensaladang Talong
Simple, affordable, and satisfying.
Wednesday
Tortang Talong with Ground Pork
Filling kahit walang sabaw—perfect midweek ulam.
Check out my Tortang Talong recipe here.
Thursday
Sardines with Misua and Patola
Quick to cook and gentle on the wallet.
Friday
Chicken Adobo with Egg
Stretchable and even better the next day.
Weekend
Leftover Fried Rice + Eggs / Hotdog
Because weekends should be easy.
Week 2: Budget Stretching Meals
Ulam Ideas
- Pork Ginisang Repolyo
- Chicken Afritada (more sauce, less meat)
- Tokwa’t Gulay Stir-Fry
- Sinigang na Gulay with Fish
💡 Tip: Pair meat ulam with a simple gulay to control costs.
Week 3: Light but Masarap Meals
January is when many of us try to eat lighter—at least konti.
- Chicken Sopas (lighter version)
- Munggo with Malunggay
- Ginisang Sayote with Eggs
- Grilled Fish + Tomato Salad
Not diet food—just balanced.
Week 4: End-of-Month Smart Cooking
This is where creativity kicks in.
- Leftover Adobo → Adobo Fried Rice
- Tinola Sabaw → Rice Soup
- Gulay Leftovers → Omelette
- Half-can Spam → Fried Rice Extension
January teaches us one thing: walang sayang.
Estimated January Ulam Budget (2026)
- Daily ulam range: ₱150 – ₱250
- Weekly food budget: ₱1,500 – ₱2,000
- Monthly savings vs December: Malaki 😅
Cooking at home again feels good—not just for the wallet, but for the routine.
Why January Meal Planning Matters
Planning even loosely helps you:
✔ Avoid last-minute takeout
✔ Control grocery spending
✔ Reduce food waste
✔ Lower stress
And honestly? January is about resetting habits, not being perfect.
January doesn’t need grand resolutions.
Sometimes, just going back to lutong bahay, kanin, at simpleng ulam is already a win.
Save this meal plan. Come back to it. Adjust it.
We’re all figuring it out — one ulam at a time 💛
