Meal Planning For People Who’d Rather Be Doing Literally Anything Else
Let’s be honest: if you’d rather alphabetize your sock drawer or watch paint dry than plan a week’s worth of meals, you’re not alone. For many of us, meal planning is the adulting equivalent of flossing; everyone says you should do it, but nobody’s lining up for the privilege. Still, whether you’re feeding a family, a roommate, or just yourself, a little planning can save you time, money, and the dreaded “What’s for dinner?” panic at 6:15 p.m.
This guide is for the meal-planning-averse: practical tips, a dash of sass, and zero guilt. Because you deserve to eat well, even if you’d rather be doing literally anything else.
Why Bother With Meal Planning? (No, Really.)
Let’s get the eye-roll out of the way: meal planning is not about becoming a Pinterest-perfect chef or prepping identical Tupperware salads. It’s about making your life easier. Here’s why it’s worth a shot:
- Less Stress: Decide what’s for dinner once, not every night.
- Save Money: Fewer impulse buys and less takeout.
- Waste Less: Use what you buy, eat what you make.
- Eat Healthier: You’re less likely to default to chips and salsa as a meal (no judgment).
You deserve to eat well, even if you’d rather be doing literally anything else.
UnsplashStep 1: Lower the Bar (Seriously)
Meal planning does NOT mean making everything from scratch or prepping every single meal. Start small. If you plan just four or five dinners a week and leave room for leftovers or “fend for yourself” nights, you’re already winning.
Step 2: Inventory, But Make It Quick
Before you even think about recipes, peek into your fridge, freezer, and pantry. What do you already have?
That half-bag of frozen peas and the can of black beans are dinner waiting to happen. This step saves money and prevents you from buying your fifth bottle of soy sauce.
Step 3: The Master Meal List - Your Lazy Lifesaver
Instead of reinventing the wheel every week, keep a running list of meals your household actually likes and will eat. When it’s time to plan, just pick from the list. Bonus points if you categorize by protein, cuisine, or “things I can make in under 20 minutes.”
Step 4: Embrace Meal Themes
Decision fatigue is real. Narrow your choices by assigning themes: Taco Tuesday, Pasta Thursday, Sheet Pan Saturday, etc. This way, you’re not staring into the abyss of all possible recipes. Kids love it, adults appreciate the simplicity, and your brain gets a break.
Step 5: Plan Around Your Real Life
Look at your week. Got late meetings? Kids’ soccer practice? Plan quick meals or leftovers for those nights.
Save more ambitious recipes (if you’re feeling wild) for weekends. Be realistic - if you know you’ll be exhausted on Wednesday, don’t plan a five-step risotto.
Step 6: Keep It Simple
You don’t have to plan every meal. Start with dinners, and use leftovers for lunch. Choose recipes that share ingredients to minimize waste and effort. Rotisserie chicken one night, chicken tacos the next. Pasta with red sauce? Use the leftover sauce for pizza on Friday.
Step 7: Ingredient Prep Is Your Friend
If you can’t stand the idea of cooking all your meals in advance, try ingredient prep: chop veggies, cook a batch of rice or quinoa, and marinate some protein. This way, you can throw together meals in minutes, and you don’t have to eat the same thing every day.
Step 8: Make the Grocery List (and Actually Use It)
Write down what you need for your planned meals, plus your usual staples. Organize your list by store section to make shopping faster. If you’re a fan of digital tools, there are plenty of apps (or even magnetic tear-off planners) to keep you on track.
Step 9: Batch Cook or Double Up
If you’re going to the trouble of making chili, soup, or casseroles, double the recipe and freeze half. Your future self will thank you on those “I can’t even” nights.
Step 10: Give Yourself a Break
Life happens. Some weeks you’ll nail it, some weeks you’ll eat cereal for dinner. That’s okay. The point is to make things easier, not to win a gold medal in meal planning.
2025 Trends: Making Meal Planning Even Less Painful
- Batch Cooking & Freezer Meals: More people are cooking in bulk and freezing portions for later46.
- Smart Apps: Digital meal planners and grocery list apps are everywhere, and many sync with your favorite stores for easy online ordering.
- Pantry Staples & Seasonal Produce: 2025 is all about affordability and sustainability. Focus on rice, beans, pasta, and whatever’s in season for cheap, healthy meals.
- Family Involvement: Kids and partners are getting in on the act - let everyone pick a meal or help with prep for less whining and more buy-in.
- Flexible Planning: No rigid rule, just enough structure to keep you fed and sane.
Sample Lazy-But-Lovely Meal Plan
Here’s a week’s worth of realistic, low-effort dinners:
- Monday: Rotisserie chicken, microwaveable brown rice, bagged salad.
- Tuesday: Tacos with canned beans, sautéed peppers, and whatever toppings you have.
- Wednesday: Leftover chicken quesadillas, carrot sticks.
- Thursday: Pasta with jarred sauce, frozen veggies tossed in.
- Friday: Homemade pizza using store-bought dough and leftover toppings.
- Saturday: Sheet pan sausage, potatoes, and broccoli (toss everything on a pan, roast at 425°F for 25 minutes).
- Sunday: Freezer meal or “fend for yourself” night.
Tips for the Meal-Planning Skeptic
Set a timer: See how fast you can plan—most people can do it in under 25 minutes once they get the hang of it.
- Go easy on yourself: If you skip a week or order takeout, you haven’t failed.
- Stock up: Keep your pantry and freezer full of basics like pasta, rice, beans, frozen veggies, and sauces.
- Repurpose leftovers: Plan for at least one “clean out the fridge” night.
- Try new flavors: If you’re bored, experiment with a new spice or sauce.
FAQ
Q: Do I have to meal plan every meal?
A: Absolutely not. Start with dinners. If you get ambitious, add lunches or breakfasts later.
Q: What if my family hates what I make?
A: Let everyone pick a meal for the week. If they complain, remind them that the alternative is “fend for yourself” night.
Q: Is it okay to use shortcuts?
A: Yes! Pre-chopped veggies, rotisserie chicken, frozen meals—use whatever makes your life easier.
Q: What if I hate leftovers?
A: Repurpose them into new meals - roast veggies become a frittata, grilled chicken turns into tacos.
Final Thoughts: Good Enough Is Great
Meal planning is not a personality test. You don’t have to love it, you just have to make it work for you. Start small, keep it simple, and remember: your goal is to spend less time stressing about food and more time doing literally anything else. Whether you’re a meal-prep pro or a “wing it” champion, a little planning goes a long way in making life easier and dinner tastier.
So pour yourself a drink (water, wine, whatever), set a timer, and get it done. Then go do something you actually enjoy. You’ve earned it.
