Family / couples meal planning (2024)

To plan for multiple people for a certain meal, you'll want to make this modification in your Meal Settings. You can find this by hitting the 3-dot menu on a meal -- here's a screenshot showing how on the mobile app (you can do the same on the website):

Family / couples meal planning (1)

Alternatively, head to the Meal Type settings by clicking on the 3-dot menu button at the upper-right of the site on the main page and select "Edit Meal Layout":

Family / couples meal planning (2)

Scroll down to the Meal Types section of this page and click on the meal type you wish to plan for. On the meal's editing page there’s a “How many people” setting that allows you to choose how many people to plan for (up to 9 people). By default, every meal will be planned for 1 person, but you can change this number to automatically scale the recipes up for multiple people.

App interface:

Family / couples meal planning (3)

Web interface:

Family / couples meal planning (4)

What does this do?

This changes the amount of ingredients in the grocery list, so if you want some other people to enjoy that meal with you, the grocery list will scale up the ingredients needed for that meal by the number of people you select. So if you set Lunch to be for 2 people and lunch tells you to eat a single turkey sandwich, your grocery list will contain the ingredients for 2 turkey sandwiches. The recipe info will also show you an "Amount to cook" that will automatically scale the ingredients.

What doesn't this do?

This won't automatically handle multiple people's different nutrition targets for you, but there are some workarounds you can try that achieve something similar:

Simplest workaround:

Set the planner's nutrition targets to match whoever's targets are the lowest of the two of you. So if you want to eat 2200 calories, and your significant other wants to eat 1800 calories, set the planner's targets for 1800 calories. Set every meal to plan for 2 people (assuming you want to eat mostly the same things), and then you'll need to find an extra 400 calories somewhere (1800 + 400 = 2200). The easiest way to do this is to just have some extra meal that you eat every day that's around 400 calories, like a small sandwich or protein shake.

This works best if your calorie difference isn't huge, and you don't mind keeping your meal with the extra calories consistent. If you want to track those extra calories, flip the targets around. Set the planner to target your 2200 calories, and then set your foods to recur "always" in a meal that only uses those recurring foods.

Less simple workaround:

You can also try adding together your calorie targets with the other person, and then dividing the meals by the proportion of calories you each need. So if you want to eat 3000 calories and your significant other only wants 1500 calories (maybe you're trying to get huge and you S.O. wants to get cut), tell the generator you want 4500 calories and split the meals in a 2:1 ratio. This can get a little complicated if your calories don't divide into a nice, even ratio, so I generally recommend the first method. If you follow this method, you'll want to make sure each meal is set to plan for 1 person, since the calorie targets already account for both people.

tags: couples, family, plan for 2, 2 person, can I use this for two people

Family / couples meal planning (2024)

FAQs

What are the tips for family meal planning? ›

Ten Tips for Family Meals
  1. START SLOW, LEARN AS YOU GO. If you don't eat meals together now, add one meal a week. ...
  2. IT'S NOT 'WHAT' BUT 'HOW' YOU FEED YOUR FAMILY. ...
  3. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE HOT. ...
  4. INVOLVE CHILDREN IN MAKING MEALS. ...
  5. FOOD CHOICE VS. ...
  6. COOK IT QUICK BUT EAT IT SLOW. ...
  7. TABLE TALK TIPS. ...
  8. DON'T ANSWER PHONES AT MEALS.

What points must be considered when planning family meals? ›

5 points to consider when planning meals: 1) Be sure to address everyone's dietary needs by including a variety of foods from the major food groups. 2) Make sure you can accommodate special diets for vegetarians and vegans, if required. 3) Plan your meals one week in advance to save money and keep to a budget.

What are the 5 basic steps of meal planning? ›

  • M E A L P L A N N I N G. Organize your meal plan and shopping list in a way that inspires you to stick with it. ...
  • WRITE I T DOWN. CHECK YOUR CALENDAR. ...
  • START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. Check your pantry, refrigerator,and freezer. ...
  • SHOP O N SALE. ...
  • COOK ONCE , EAT TWICE ( O R MORE ! ) ...
  • KEEP I T BALANCED .

How to plan meals as a couple? ›

Ask your family members or partner what recipes or flavors they enjoy eating and then make a point to plan recipes related to those tastes. It might be that each night of the week is dedicated to one person's favorite meal or you can try to incorporate different favorites with side dishes along with a main meal.

What are the 5 rules in planning meals? ›

The 5 rules of meal prep
  • Rule #1: Get organized. ...
  • Rule #2: Establish a logical menu. ...
  • Rule #3: Cook efficiently. ...
  • Rule #4: Don't cook everything in advance. ...
  • Rule #5: Follow good food conservation practices.

What is the rule of 3 meal plan? ›

The Rule of 3's is made up specifically of these guidelines: Eat at least three meals and up to three snacks a day (you might think of this as a breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal plan) Eat at least three food groups per meal (and two per snack) Allow no more than three hours between eating.

What should be avoided in planning meals? ›

The 7 Most Common Mistakes People Make When Meal Planning
  • Mistake #1: Leaving everything for the last minute. ...
  • Mistake #2: Taking on too much. ...
  • Mistake #3: Having a disorganized shopping list. ...
  • Mistake #4: Selecting overly ambitious recipes. ...
  • Mistake #5: Not planning for enough food.

What are the 7 factors to consider in planning meals? ›

Planning what to cook
  • factors affecting food choice;
  • current healthy eating advice;
  • dietary needs;
  • religious, cultural or ethical beliefs;
  • cost and availability of ingredients and money available;
  • personal preferences;
  • an awareness of purchasing influences, e.g. marketing, advertising, role models and social media.

What is the 5 5 5 meal plan? ›

Unlike the 5:2 diet which involves eating normally for five days and fasting for two, the 5:5:5 diet is about eating five small meals every single day. According to UK nutritionist Angela Dowden, creator of the diet, it can help users lose up to five pounds in a fortnight.

What are the 4 Ps of meal planning? ›

Planning, prepping, preparing and properly packaging your meals can be simple, healthy, delicious, cost effective, and save you unwanted calories.

What are the six things you should consider when meal planning? ›

6 Steps to Meal Planning Success
  • Step 1: Take Stock. Check your pantry and fridge for staples you have on hand and like as well as items that need to be used. ...
  • Step 2: Map Your Meals. ...
  • Step 3: Focus on Fresh. ...
  • Step 4: Pack in Protein. ...
  • Step 5: Love Your Leftovers. ...
  • Step 6: Plan Ahead.

How do I start a family meal plan? ›

Here are six steps to making a meal plan:
  1. Give yourself time to plan. Set aside time each week to make a meal plan. ...
  2. Check what you have. Check what ingredients you already have in your cupboard, fridge or freezer. ...
  3. Include some of your favourite meals. ...
  4. Use up your leftovers. ...
  5. Cook in bulk. ...
  6. Make your ingredients work.

What is the best day to meal prep? ›

Sunday and Wednesday are two common choices. Determine how much you want to prep. Experiment with prepping for two or three days before attempting five. You may not like eating the same or similar things the whole week.

How should meals be divided? ›

All of a sudden, the "What's for (breakfast, lunch, dinner)?" question is looming. Rather than hoping for the best, visually divide your plate into three sections: half for fruits and veggies, one quarter for protein and the other quarter for grains.

What are the 5 points to consider when planning meals? ›

These include meal occasion, who will be eating, whether the food will be eaten out or at home, dietary needs, religious, cultural or ethical beliefs, the cost and availability of ingredients; current healthy eating advice and/or personal preferences.

What are the six basic tips in meal planning? ›

6 Steps to Meal Planning Success
  • Step 1: Take Stock. Check your pantry and fridge for staples you have on hand and like as well as items that need to be used. ...
  • Step 2: Map Your Meals. ...
  • Step 3: Focus on Fresh. ...
  • Step 4: Pack in Protein. ...
  • Step 5: Love Your Leftovers. ...
  • Step 6: Plan Ahead.

What are the factors to consider when preparing family meals? ›

These include nutritional needs of those eating the meal based on age, gender and health; ensuring variety in flavors, textures and colors to appeal to guests; considering time constraints and budget; using ingredients that are in season and easily available; and accounting for any food allergies or dietary ...

What are 4 steps to successful meal planning? ›

Meal Planning in 4 Easy Steps
  • Pick Your Strategy. ...
  • Make a Detailed Shopping List. ...
  • Make Time to Cook. ...
  • Invest in Some Glass.
May 7, 2018

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kerri Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6213

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kerri Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1992-10-31

Address: Suite 878 3699 Chantelle Roads, Colebury, NC 68599

Phone: +6111989609516

Job: Chief Farming Manager

Hobby: Mycology, Stone skipping, Dowsing, Whittling, Taxidermy, Sand art, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.