ChatGPT Takes Over Meal Planning, Slashing Costs and Eliminating Food Waste

Determined to become a more consistent and skilled cook, the author took up meal planning. This approach not only aims to save money and introduce new recipes but also focuses on reducing food waste and lowering the overall carbon footprint. By planning meals in advance, the goal is to create a more efficient and environmentally friendly kitchen routine.

Curious about leveraging technology to streamline meal planning, the author turned to ChatGPT, a generative AI tool. Known for its versatility in handling tasks like negotiating bills and writing resumes, ChatGPT seemed like a promising assistant for creating a meal plan. The experiment aimed to see if AI could simplify the process of finding recipes and organizing them effectively.

The author requested ChatGPT to generate a seven-day healthy dinner plan for two, specifying preferences such as avoiding fish. The AI responded with a variety of meals, including lemon garlic chicken, beef stir-fry, veggie tacos, and more. Alongside the meal suggestions, ChatGPT provided a grocery list, making the planning process more convenient.

Each day brought a new recipe to try, starting with lemon garlic chicken and roasted vegetables. While some meals required minor tweaks, like adding extra seasonings or adjusting cooking times, the overall experience was positive. The author found that even with simple adjustments, the AI-generated recipes were easy to prepare and delicious.

One of the standout benefits of using ChatGPT was the organized grocery list, which was categorized for easy shopping. This efficiency allowed the author to complete shopping trips quickly and avoid over-purchasing ingredients. Additionally, meal planning led to zero food waste, as all purchased ingredients were used, either in meals or leftovers.

The experiment with ChatGPT demonstrated that artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool in meal planning. By providing customized meal plans and organized grocery lists, AI made cooking more efficient and enjoyable. Beyond convenience, this approach significantly contributed to reducing food waste and minimizing the environmental impact, paving the way for a smarter and greener kitchen routine.