Meal planning moms (and dads), let’s play a game. It’s 4 p.m. Do you know what’s for dinner?

If you just laughed, cried, or looked longingly at the frozen pizza box in your freezer, you’re not alone. According to a 2016 survey, around 80% of American adults are right there with you—clueless about what’s hitting the table tonight. And that little daily mystery? It adds up. A 2017 survey found that American couples spend 5.5 days per year just deciding what to eat. That’s almost a full vacation… spent debating tacos vs. pasta.

Why does this matter? Because adults make around 35,000 decisions a day (thank you, Harvard Business Review), and by the time dinner rolls around, our brains are basically soggy toast. That’s when decision fatigue sets in, spontaneity takes the wheel, and suddenly you’re eating cereal out of a mixing bowl while your kids are three Gogurts deep.

Here’s the good news: There’s a better way, and it’s something I learned the hard way (so you don’t have to).

That Time I Fed a Few Thousand Kids Lunch

Before I became a dietitian and gym owner, I spent 12 weeks in school food service as part of my training. Picture thousands of picky eaters, state nutrition guidelines, and a food budget tighter than your favorite pair of post-holiday jeans.

You learn real quick what works—and what absolutely doesn’t. The biggest lesson? People overcomplicate meal planning.

The cafeteria secret to feeding thousands with your sanity intact? Cycle menus.

How Can a Cycle Menu Help Meal Planning Moms?

A cycle menu is a menu that repeats every few weeks—think of it like your greatest hits album for meals. You plan 2, 3, or 4 weeks’ worth of meals, then rinse and repeat.

Why is this genius?

• Decision-making? Done. You’ve already figured it out once. No more daily “What’s for dinner?” crises.
  
• Budgeting gets easier. You know what you need and can buy in bulk or catch sales.
  
• Time-saving magic. Fewer trips to the store, less mental gymnastics, and more time for important things—like catching up on your shows or lifting heavy things.
  
• Built-in balance. If you plan the cycle well, you can spread out proteins, veggies, and family favorites so everyone’s happy and nourished.

How to Create a Cycle Menu (Without Losing Your Mind)

1. Pick your time frame. Start with a 2-week cycle if the idea of 4 feels overwhelming.
   
2. Make a master list. Jot down 10–15 dinners your family actually enjoys (bonus points if they’re easy or freezer-friendly).
   
3. Plug and play. Distribute those meals across your chosen weeks. Try to vary proteins and types of cuisine to keep it interesting.
   
4. Theme it up. Taco Tuesdays, Soup Sundays, or Leftover Fridays—these themes reduce thinking and add some fun.
   
5. Build your grocery lists. Once your meals are in place, create shopping lists for each week. Save ‘em, print ‘em, treasure ‘em.
   
6. Test and tweak. Give it a run for a month. If your kids revolt against the lentil stew or you realize you need a fast option for soccer nights, adjust and re-cycle.

Bottom Line for the Meal Planning Moms

Meal planning doesn’t have to be an overachiever’s game. You’re not auditioning for a cooking show—you’re just trying to keep your crew fed and fueled. Cycle menus let you meal planning moms (and dads) reclaim your time, your money, and your decision-making power.

So next time 4 p.m. rolls around and your brain’s about to short-circuit, you’ll smile, check your plan, and calmly say, “It’s chicken stir-fry night.” Victory.

Need a little more help with this? I created a quick 10-minute training on how I do this for my family as a single mom of three. Click here to get the video sent to your inbox!