Cookbook author says lack of meal planning costs Americans money

Cookbook author Jenn Lueke told Fox News Digital that the primary financial error for American grocery shoppers occurs before they reach the store, specifically by failing to plan ahead. Lueke, a Boston-based author of "Don't Think About Dinner," stated that creating a grocery list and deciding on weekly meals helps consumers save money and reduce meal-related stress.

The pressure to prepare a distinct and impressive dinner every night contributes to overspending, Lueke noted. She advised home cooks, known online as Jenn Eats Goood, to rely on familiar meals and modify them using pantry ingredients rather than seeking new inspiration from social media. Lueke emphasized that repeating meals is a viable strategy and suggested using a "base recipe" that can be adjusted seasonally or based on freezer contents.

Her cookbook includes a one-pot chicken thighs and rice dish, which she said can be adapted by swapping proteins or adding seasonal produce such as squash in the fall or asparagus and peas in the spring. Flexible starting points like bowl-style meals or vegetable frittatas also allow cooks to use up food that is nearing expiration.

Lueke recommended maintaining a stock of pantry and freezer staples to increase weekly options. She cited canned beans, rice, pasta, and quinoa as ingredients that can be purchased in bulk or on sale, while noting that frozen proteins can reduce the frequency of shopping trips. For shoppers managing a $50 to $75 grocery budget, she suggested using hearty, lower-cost produce like carrots, onions, potatoes, and sweet potatoes alongside proteins such as chicken thighs, tofu, and chickpeas.

To maximize value, Lueke advised getting multiple uses from single ingredients. If a recipe requires only part of a can of artichokes, she said the remainder should be incorporated into another meal. Spice blends and homemade sauces can also alter the flavor of a protein, enabling shoppers to prepare the same ingredient in varied ways. Lueke concluded that the most important strategy is having a plan while utilizing one ingredient in more than one way when possible.