I asked Chatgpt for a meal plan for me and I never come back

I grew up spoiled with a mother who prioritized prioritizing a homemade meal on the table every night for our family of eight. Depending on the day, she would browse sauce -colored handwritten recipes, prepare a memorized favorite or improvise with what was on sale. This gave the illusion that noon was always easy. But almost twenty years after I left her house, I still hadn’t figured it out – until I started asking Chatgpt to do the job for me.

I have used Gemini and chatgpt For everything from diagnosing random symptoms to planning trips. I tell people that it is practically my child’s third parent, considering the countless questions I have asked about newborn care. But my last inquiry is perhaps just my best. Exhausted by the constant routine of getting hungry, wondering what to eat and staring blankly into the fridge just to order takeaway, I decided it was time to take meal planning seriously. Instead of opening a recipe book, I recruited chatgpt.

With modest expectations I started simply: I asked Chad (that’s what I call chatgpt) to help me plan for two adults. The response was surprisingly enthusiastic (for a robot), with follow -up questions about dietary restrictions, cooking complexity and preferences. It even asked if I wanted leftovers, which I thought was a thoughtful touch (the answer is always yes). I mentioned that I prefer healthy-ish meals and revealed my lactose intolerance. Minutes later, Chad delivered seven delicious sounding recipes with a variety of flavors and protein types.

I considered the list and replaced one meal while keeping beloved sweet potatoes, and with the finished setting, I asked for a grocery list. This was when I started burning. In moments, I got a detailed shopping list organized according to the type of item (protein, vegetables, canned food, etc.), with parenture notes on the intended use of many objects. If you’ve ever found yourself in the store that questions why you need abbreviation (and what in hell abbreviation even is), these notes are a lifesaver. Chad also reminded me of double checking the fridge and cabinets for pins, and prevented me from buying another large jar of jam.

Since my schedule varies, I needed meals that fit my weekly rhythm (and also lack of rhythm). I asked to organize the plan after the prep time, and noticed that Mondays and Wednesdays are particularly busy, while I like to make a more composed meal on Fridays to kick off this weekend. Chad reorganized the recipes and then suggested that Sundays, when many people have extra time, can be a great day for longer cooking sessions. I didn’t take that tip because Sundays are for couch rotten, but the tank was nice.

I also asked which meal would be best for serving guests, and the protein -packed chili was recommended. I asked Chad to double the recipe and prayed by side and dessert suggestions to complement the dish. A thrown salad and corn bread made the cut, and when I mentioned my less than Stellar baking skills, Chad Sorbet (taking my lactose intolerance) or chia pudding (keep me to my preference for healthy alternatives) recommended CHIA. Then Chatgpt gave me an updated grocery list, including everything I need to host.

After all this, I remembered the huge torn with the ribs that took up more than the fair proportion of my freezer space. I have a basic slow cooker recipe I have used before, but why leave my assistant now? I asked for a toll -proof rib recipe and (for fifth or sixth time) an updated grocery list. For the first time in a long time, I saw the week ahead with more than a “concept of a plan.”

Over the next week, chatgpt by my side when I put the plan into work. I referred to the recipes while cooking and asked for details as needed. When the eggs were scarce in the store, I asked for a replacement for the groundwood. When I realized that my grill was out of propane, I asked for an indoor cooking option for shrimp that wouldn’t make my house smell like a fishing jetty. Each recipe was easy to customize, and chatgpt could answer questions about food storage and even give suggestions for upcycling residues.

When my partner, who usually sticks to a few core meals, offered to cook on Wednesday, I turned to Chatgpt for an “idiot -proof” version of the recipe for a beginner’s chef. At the risk of sounding patronizing, I found the result adorable. The updated recipe included extra clarifying details, plus encouraging notes and tips to succeed. My favorite highlights were the direction of slicing zucchini in mini moon forms and this use of an exclamation point: “Continue to stir! Stirring often helps everything to boil evenly and prevents combustion. “The recipe printing was much longer, but the additions made the meal with the meal much more accessible. The most important thing was that the court proved good.

Alternatively, you can also upload recipes you already know and love to include in a given week’s meal planning. You can even paste a recipe page or create a blog and ask chatgpt to find options within certain parameters. For example, “Find me three chicken recipes from www.allrecipes.com.” You can ask for meals within a certain calorie area, ask that recipes prioritize seasonal products, or ask for a dupe of a regional favorite. For fun, I asked for a whole meal based on a specific book and then asked for an authentic New York-style pizza recipe (none of those I have tried to make). Needless to say, I tested many more modifications of the process than I needed, and I’m straight up dizzy with the endless possibilities.

Unloading mental load

I can cook. I can make my mom’s famous eggplant -parmesan as easily as I can whip up an edible plate from the Pantry Staples, but I rarely have a plan for the week, and I almost never leave the grocery store with everything I need. As pathetic as it sounds, I think the mental burden of finding out what to make more exhausting than it should be, and too often I end up repeating very basic meals over and over again. Chatgpt helped me to streamline everything from picking recipes to prep a grocery list and revived my interest in making more variety. I am really excited to continue digging into the incredible potential of such a useful kitchen buddy.