Have you ever stood in front of the fridge wondering what to cook for dinner again?
For many of us juggling work, family and endless tasks, meal planning can feel like a never-ending chore.
But what if there was a way to make it easier, cheaper and even a little fun?
Enter artificial intelligence (AI). Now, before you dismiss it with, ‘AI can’t fold my laundry or drive the grandkids to soccer,’ hear us out.
While robots won’t be taking over household chores just yet, they can lend a surprisingly helpful hand in the kitchen—at least when it comes to meal planning and saving money.
That’s exactly what one Australian mum discovered when she decided to put AI to the test for her weekly grocery shop.
Like many of us, she was tired of the same old spaghetti bolognese and stir fry routine, and even more tired of the mental gymnastics required to plan, shop and cook for a family of four.
So, inspired by a few social media videos, she decided to see if AI could do the heavy lifting.
Cracking the AI code: The perfect prompt
If you’re new to AI (and most of us are), the secret is in the prompt. You can’t just type ‘meal plan, please’ and expect culinary magic.
Instead, you need to be specific—think of it as giving your own personal chef a detailed brief.
After a bit of trial and error, our savvy mum crafted a prompt including her family size, dietary preferences (one vegetarian meal, one fish meal, the rest with meat), seasonal Australian produce, and a list of pantry staples she already had.
She even specified which vegetables to avoid (no zucchini, kale or asparagus, thank you very much).
The first round of suggestions from AI was, well, a little uninspired—spaghetti bolognese and stir fry made an appearance (AI, it seems, likes the classics too).
But with a gentle nudge to get more creative, the digital chef delivered a week’s worth of fresh ideas: beef stew (perfect for leftovers or a pie with frozen pastry), creamy chicken and spinach pasta, sausage tray bake, chickpea and sweet potato curry, fish tacos and egg fried rice with leftover vegetables.
It even whipped up a healthy muffin recipe for lunchboxes.
From plan to plate: The shopping list revolution
Here’s where things got really interesting. Not only did AI generate recipes, but it also broke down the ingredients into a neat shopping list.
No more wandering aisles wondering if you’ve forgotten something crucial.
And with a quick request, it even compared prices across major supermarkets—Woolworths, Coles and ALDI.
The results? ALDI came out on top, with the week’s shop costing just $120 compared to $145 at Woolworths and $140 at Coles.
After removing items she already had at home, the total dropped to a jaw-dropping $110. That’s a whopping $140 less than her usual $250 weekly spend!
Even better, the AI-generated plan meant virtually no food waste. Every ingredient had a purpose, and there was no temptation to toss random extras into the trolley ‘just in case’.
For anyone who’s ever thrown out a wilted bag of spinach or a forgotten punnet of strawberries, this is a game-changer.
The verdict: Simple, satisfying and budget-friendly
Were the meals Michelin-star worthy? Maybe not.
But they were tasty, easy to prepare and—most importantly—perfect for busy weeknights.
The sausage tray bake was a surprise hit and the beef stew a comforting winter warmer.
The veggie curry didn’t win over every family member, but at least there was a new excuse for sneaking extra veg onto the plate: ‘Don’t blame me, blame the AI!’
Expert insights: Why AI meal planning works
Dr Emma Beckett, a food and nutrition scientist, is a fan of AI for meal planning.
She points out that AI helps reduce costs by overlapping ingredients across meals, making it easier to buy in bulk and avoid waste.
Plus, having a pre-prepared list makes it easier to resist impulse buys that blow out budgets. She offers a word of caution though: AI is only as good as the instructions you give it.
If you want healthy, balanced meals, be specific—ask for plenty of vegetables, high fibre and variety from week to week.
And if you have allergies or special dietary needs, it’s always best to double-check with a dietitian.
Tips for getting started with AI meal planning
- Be specific with your prompt: List your family size, dietary preferences and any ingredients you want to use or avoid.
- Include pantry staples: Let AI know what you already have to avoid buying duplicates.
- Ask for variety: To keep things interesting and nutritious, request different meals each week.
- Compare prices: Many AI tools can help you find the best deals at local supermarkets.
- Customise as you go: Don’t be afraid to tweak the plan or swap meals that don’t appeal.
The bottom line: Is AI meal planning worth a try?
For anyone wanting to save time, money and mental energy, AI meal planning is well worth a go.
Whether you’re feeding a family, cooking for one or catering to fussy eaters, a little digital help can go a long way.
And who knows? You might just discover a new family favourite along the way. Have you tried using AI for meal planning or grocery shopping? Did it save you money or introduce you to new recipes?
Share your experiences or tips in the comments below—we’d love to hear how you’re making technology work for you in the kitchen!
Also read: Want big savings online? Here’s the AI trick shoppers are raving about
