The Plan to Eat Podcast

This week, we cover three scenarios where we hear meal planning hesitation: people who hate cooking, people who cook for one, and people managing food allergies or dietary restrictions. For each one, we dig into what actually makes it hard and share practical ways meal planning can make it a whole lot easier instead of adding to the stress. We also cover some kitchen confessions on how we shortcut...

We're back! In this episode, we recap our summer meal planning, what shifted for each of us, and how we're resetting our approach heading into Fall. We make a case for doing a pantry clean-out now, why Fall is actually a smart time to stock up on holiday baking staples, and how to use what you already have to stretch your grocery budget a little further this season. We also geek out a li...

This is a replay episode, and with grocery prices where they are right now, we thought it deserved another listen. In this episode, we share what our meal plans looked like during a week of strict budgeting, and walk through all the ways we cut costs without sacrificing good food.  We talk about shopping your freezer and pantry before you make a list, carrying one ingredient across multiple meals,...

This is a replay of one of our favorite episodes! Even though we're heading toward the end of summer, there is still so much fresh produce available and plenty of reason to give this one a listen. We walk through everything that's in season during the summer, talk about farmers' markets and CSAs, and why they're worth exploring. We get into how to pick a good melon, which veget...

This week we're talking about building a meal system, which goes beyond the weekly task of picking recipes and making a grocery list. A meal plan is the action. A meal system is the infrastructure behind it, and having one makes everything work so much better. We walk through all the pieces that make up a meal planning system: Your planning routine Recipe organization Your grocery shopping st...

This week we're talking about planner personalities! After years of talking to Plan to Eat customers, answering dinner dilemmas, and reading your emails, we've noticed some pretty distinct patterns in how people approach their planning. We put together five meal planning personality types, and we think you're going to recognize yourself in at least one of them. We walk through each...

This week we're trying something a little different! We each picked a topic to deep dive into without telling the other person what it was, and we're sharing what we learned live on the podcast.  Riley kicks things off with a deep dive on food cravings. What they actually mean and what your body might be trying to tell you. We talk through what common cravings like sugar, salt, carbs, re...

Sometimes, the meal plan doesn't make it to the end of the week, but in this episode, we're getting into the reasons why and what you can do about it so your whole week doesn't go off the rails. We walk through six of the most common reasons meal plans fail, from not planning at all to planning so rigidly that there's no room to breathe when life gets in the way. We talk about...

This week, we're talking about one of our favorite parts of summer, getting together with people over food. In this episode, we're getting into all things potlucks and group gatherings, from the nostalgia of food to the practical side of actually hosting a group meal.  We talk through what makes a potluck successful, what dishes hold up well (and which ones you might want to reconsider),...

This week, we're talking about the full lifecycle of food in our homes, from the moment it's planned all the way to the moment it's eaten (or thrown away).  We talk through the most common breakdown points in the planning, cooking, and shopping, and why every ingredient needs a clear purpose. We also cover how to shop your fridge and pantry before you head to the store, how to build...

In this episode, we’re talking about the pros and cons of weekend meal prep vs. weeknight cooking. We’re breaking down the different ways people make dinner work for their schedules, energy levels, and preferences. We talk about food fatigue, leftovers, decision fatigue, unpredictable schedules, and why there’s no “right” way to meal plan. Whether you love prepping meals on Sunday, prefer cooking...

This week, we’re breaking down how to actually get dinner on the table in 30 minutes. We talk about quick recipes, but also systems we use that make weeknight cooking faster and less stressful. We discuss what slows dinner down, common mistakes, and how to simplify your approach. From using convenience ingredients to prepping ahead and building a go-to list of fast meals, this episode will help yo...

This week, we’re diving into why meal planning is so easy to procrastinate, even when we know it makes life easier. From busy schedules and mental load to perfectionism, habits, and not knowing where to start, we break down the real reasons meal planning gets pushed off.  We also share practical ways to get unstuck, including starting small, lowering expectations, using templates, and building a s...

This week, Hannah Van Ark joins the show again to talk about family meal planning and creating systems that make feeding your family easier. After becoming a mom, Hannah realized that most families don’t need more nutrition knowledge; they need practical systems that reduce stress and get balanced meals on the table.  We discuss flexible meal planning, how to serve one family meal without being a...

This week, we’re talking about why meal planning can feel more exhausting than other household chores. Tasks like vacuuming or folding laundry can usually wait, but feeding yourself or your family happens every single day, multiple times a day! From deciding what to cook, grocery shopping, managing preferences, and actually making the meal, the mental load adds up quickly. We explore the invisible...

When life is busy, mental bandwidth to decide what's for dinner disappears. It's easy to get stuck in a rut and feel completely uninspired to meal plan. Even strong planners have periods where ideas dry up, and planning feels like a chore.  In this episode, we're combating a lack of creativity and recipe ideas with so many great tips to help you create this week's meal plan. Fr...

This week, we're tackling food waste! Leftovers pile up, ingredients get pushed to the back of the fridge, and before long, our precious kitchen inventory goes to waste! Riley and Roni discuss practical strategies for reducing food waste and using up what you already have at home. We will teach you our favorite meal planning strategies to actually use the food you're buying and stop wast...

From answering your dinner dilemmas in 2025, we learned that many families juggle multiple dietary needs: picky kids, allergies, macros, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, low-sodium, etc. And creating meals that satisfy everyone feels exhausting! This week, we're spending the entire episode tackling the problem of managing multiple diets and dietary needs in one house. Our goal is to help you a...

This week, we're helping you handle crazy schedules and a lack of time to plan and cook. Evenings get packed with kids’ activities, meetings, and errands. Schedules can change at the last minute, making it hard to cook consistently, prep ahead, or stick to a plan. If you find you're often getting takeout, skipping meals, or wasting groceries, this episode is for you! Let's dive into...

Many people want to plan and cook but feel too tired, overwhelmed, or depressed by the end of the day to follow through. And even well-made plans fall apart when energy runs out. In this episode, we're discussing how to combat low energy and motivation, so you can still feed your family! We talk about how to actually cultivate motivation, why systems help reduce your lack of energy, and give...

We're kicking off the New Year with some questions about meal planning and the podcast! We asked AI to ask us questions about meal planning from our experience of hosting the Plan to Eat Podcast.  Over the past 120+ episodes, we've reviewed books, had dozens of world-class guests, and shared so many tips and tricks about meal planning. In this first episode of 2026, we're reflecting...

Surprise! This week, we're giving you a bonus episode to finish up the final handful of dinner dilemmas. In this episode, we tackle dilemmas about juggling multiple eating preferences in one household, budgeting constraints, and preparing unique side dishes.  Thank you for making us your trusted friends in meal planning and sending your questions, frustrations, and dilemmas!  Happy New Year!...

We are finishing 2025 with lots of recipe inspiration! As we transition into Winter and a New Year, we are encouraging you to add some new recipes to your meal plans. Break out of those ruts and start 2026 with some fresh ideas for your planning.  Thanks for listening in 2025 and Happy New Year! Sign up for a free trial + get 20% off your first annual subscription: plantoeat.com/PTEPOD Contact us:...

The holidays are coming, and your kitchen is about to get a whole lot more crowded. Let's make space now before the chaos begins! Between holiday meal prep, leftovers, cookie exchanges, and the inevitable influx of food, your kitchen can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we're walking you through some kitchen declutter tips that will save you stress, money, and precious counter space....

Think you don't need a meal plan? Or winging it is easier? We're busting the biggest meal planning myths today, and you might be surprised at what you've been believing. In this episode, we're tackling the misconceptions that keep people from experiencing the true benefits of meal planning. From "it's only for organized people" to "my handwritten list is wor...