What to Do When You’re Sick of Planning for Dinner
Author: Meg Bowman MS CNS LDN CHES
I don’t know about you, but I’m sick sick sick of making dinner every night. And it isn’t even the actual making dinner part that I hate, it’s the planning. Lately, I’ve found myself talking longingly with friends about how I used to make dinner, pre-kids, and it pretty much consisted of what we’d now consider a girl dinner: Some cheese, crackers, and olives, and we are set.
These days, regardless of whether It’s a dreary outside, I have to make something that the other members of my household would consider dinner.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. “Dinner dread” is a real phenomenon, especially during the long, cold winter months when everything feels harder. But there are ways to make meal prep less overwhelming and maybe even enjoyable. Let’s dive into some strategies that can help.
Friend, you should be using AI to simplify your meal planning.
I will be the first to admit I’ve been slow to jump on the AI meal planning train, but I was wrong (there, I said it), and it has made loads of difference in how much time I spend.
Here’s some options:
1. AI for Dinner Ideas
AI can help generate dinner ideas tailored to your household’s preferences and dietary needs. Simply input your available ingredients, dietary restrictions, or even the type of cuisine you’re craving, and AI tools can suggest a variety of recipes. For example:
What to Try: Apps like ChatGPT or cooking platforms like Whisk can provide you with endless dinner ideas based on what’s in your fridge.
Example Prompt: “I have chicken, broccoli, and rice. What can I make for dinner that’s quick and easy?”
2. Finding Recipes That Fit Your Lifestyle
Whether you’re looking for a 30-minute meal, something you can prep ahead, or dinners that can be cooked in a slow cooker, AI-powered recipe databases have you covered. You can search for recipes based on:
Time: Get suggestions for 15-minute meals or recipes you can cook while attending to other tasks.
Cooking Method: Look up recipes for air fryers, Instant Pots, or sheet pans.
Difficulty Level: AI can filter recipes by skill level, ensuring you’re not stuck trying to execute a complicated dish on a busy evening.
3. Choosing After-School Snacks or Meals for Busy Nights
If your family’s schedule is packed with activities like sports, dance, or other commitments, AI can help you plan meals that are easy to grab and go. Think:
Nutritional requirements, like high-protein snacks to fuel kids for sports practice.
Single-serving options that go with you to after school activities.
Creative ways to use up pantry staples like crackers, peanut butter, or yogurt.
Wraps or sandwiches that can be made ahead and eaten on the road.
One-pot meals you can portion into thermoses for a hot, portable dinner.
Creative ideas for using leftovers to save time and minimize waste.
Example Prompt: “What are some healthy, fun after-school snacks for kids that take under 10 minutes to prepare?”
4. Creating a Shopping List with AI
One of the most time-consuming parts of meal prep is creating a shopping list. AI can simplify this process by:
Generating a list based on your meal plan for the week.
Organizing the list by grocery store sections, so you’re not zig-zagging across aisles.
Example Prompt: “I’m making spaghetti, tacos, and chicken stir-fry this week. Create a shopping list organized by grocery store sections.”
Tools like Instacart and Alexa can even integrate with your smart devices, making it easy to add items to your list as you think of them.
The Future of Meal Planning
AI tools don’t just take the guesswork out of dinner—they make the entire process more manageable. By streamlining meal planning, snack ideas, and grocery shopping, you can save time, reduce stress, and reclaim some joy in your evenings.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by the thought of making dinner, let technology lend a helping hand. With AI as your sous chef, you’ll be back to focusing on what matters most: spending quality time with your family (or finally sitting down with that glass of wine you’ve earned).