Meal Planning Made Easy: The 11 Best Apps for Losing Weight

Meal planning can be a game-changer when you're trying to kickstart and stay committed to your weight loss goals. But let's face it, finding the time and energy to plan nutritious meals that match your tastes and health needs can seem overwhelming.

Luckily, there's a wide array of apps out there that can make meal planning, and potentially losing weight, much more doable.

How We Picked the Best Meal Planning Apps

When choosing these apps, we looked at a few key factors to make sure they're user-friendly and effective:

Customization: We made sure these apps can be tailored to fit your personal preferences and dietary needs.

Ease of Use: While many apps offer similar features, we focused on those that are straightforward and intuitive to use.

Recipe Options: Some apps come with ready-made recipes and meal plans, while others let you create your own. We'll let you know where each app stands on this.

Nutritional Info: All the apps listed provide nutritional data, but some have more extensive databases than others. If knowing the nutritional details is important to you, we've highlighted the best options.

Price Guide

We've picked apps that suit every budget. Here's a quick rundown of costs:

$ = $3.00 or less per month $$ = $3.01–$5.00 per month $$$ = more than $5.00 per month

Top Picks for Meal Planning Apps

Best for Budgeting: Mealime

Price: $ Grocery List: Yes Recipe Database: Yes Nutritional Data: Yes, but full access requires the paid version

Mealime is fantastic if you're watching your wallet but still want comprehensive meal planning features. It lets you customize meal plans based on your diet preferences and even excludes foods you don't like. The best part? You get all these features for free!

Once you set your preferences, Mealime offers a variety of recipes with colorful photos and easy-to-follow instructions. It also creates a grocery list based on your meal plan, making shopping a breeze. Just note, some features like calorie preferences and nutrition details are only available in the paid version.

Best for Organizing Recipes: Paprika

Price: $$ Grocery List: Yes Recipe Database: No, you add your own Nutritional Data: Yes, if provided by the original recipe

Paprika is more than just a recipe manager; it helps you plan menus too. Unlike other apps with preset recipes, Paprika lets you save and organize your own recipes from the web. It's great for those who prefer to build their own meal plans with minimal guidance.

With Paprika, you can create customized grocery lists and even consolidate ingredients from multiple recipes. However, the user interface might be a bit tricky for some users, especially with its browser integrations and complex online guide.

Best for Social Support: Plan to Eat

Price: $$ Grocery List: Yes Recipe Database: Yes, but limited to challenges Nutritional Data: Yes, if provided by the recipe

Plan to Eat is perfect if you enjoy sharing recipes and meal plans with friends and family. It allows you to organize your recipes and create meal plans across various platforms, from iOS to Android and desktop.

You can manually enter recipes or import them from the web, and the app organizes them neatly into categories. It also generates a grocery list based on your recipes, making shopping simpler. Plus, you can share your plans with others, which adds a fun social aspect to meal planning.

Best for Limiting Food Waste: Yummly

Price: $$ Grocery List: Yes Recipe Database: Yes Nutritional Data: Yes, but full access requires the paid version

Yummly stands out with its virtual pantry feature, helping you keep track of what's in your kitchen to avoid overbuying. It's great if you're into cooking videos and want to improve your culinary skills.

In the paid version, you get access to full nutrition info for recipes, calculated using USDA data. Yummly also lets you save and categorize your favorite recipes, whether they're from the app or your own creations. Just be aware, its sleek design comes with a learning curve and may not be as straightforward as some other apps.

Best for Meal Prepping: MealPrepPro

Price: $$$ Grocery List: Yes Recipe Database: Yes Nutritional Data: Yes

MealPrepPro is a must if you're serious about meal prepping. It offers tailored meal plans based on your dietary goals, from high-protein to vegan options.

You can customize your preferences, allergies, and even share plans with a partner. The app provides detailed nutrition information and organizes your grocery list for efficient shopping. However, it comes with a price tag, and there's only a brief trial period before you commit.

Best Virtual Recipe Box: Pepperplate

Price: $ Grocery List: Yes Recipe Database: No Nutritional Data: No

Pepperplate is like a digital recipe box where you can store all your favorite recipes. It's ideal for those who already have a collection of go-to recipes and want a simple way to organize them.

You manually add recipes or import them from supported websites, then create meal plans and grocery lists based on your selections. However, the lack of nutritional tracking and user-friendly interface might be a drawback for some users.

Best for Kid-Friendly Recipes: Prepear

Price: $$$ Grocery List: Yes Recipe Database: Yes Nutritional Data: Yes

Prepear is perfect for families looking for kid-friendly meals. It offers a variety of recipes and allows you to filter by dietary preferences and cooking time.

You can create your own meal plans or purchase plans from food bloggers. Prepear also features social sharing, so you can show off your culinary creations. However, its limited variety in recipes might be a downside unless you're adding your own.

Best for Easy Meal Planning: Eat This Much

Price: $$$ Grocery List: Yes Recipe Database: Yes Nutritional Data: Yes

Eat This Much combines calorie counting with meal planning, making it easy to stay on top of your diet goals. You set your dietary preferences and goals, and the app generates meal plans accordingly.

It includes a database of recipes, and you can add your own or scan barcodes for instant tracking. However, the free version has limitations, such as single-day meal plans only. For full features, you'll need the premium version.

Best for Tracking Nutrients: Lose It!

Price: $$ Grocery List: No Recipe Database: Yes Nutritional Data: Yes

Lose It! is more focused on calorie and macronutrient tracking, but its premium version offers meal planning tools too.

You start by entering your personal info and goals, then track your food intake to reach those goals. It's great for monitoring your progress, but the free version has limitations like no grocery list feature.

Most Simplistic: Start Simple with MyPlate

Price: $ Grocery List: No Recipe Database: No Nutritional Data: Yes

Start Simple with MyPlate is a straightforward app from the USDA, using visuals to guide you on healthy eating.

It's easy to use and free, making it accessible for basic dietary guidance. However, it lacks recipe suggestions and meal planning features, which may not work for everyone.

How to Choose

Choosing the right meal planning app can be overwhelming, but most offer free trials so you can try them out. Consider these factors:

Recipe Database: Look for apps with built-in recipes if you need meal ideas or are short on time.

Nutritional Data: For weight management, choose apps with detailed nutrition info.

Cost: Check the pricing structure to find one that fits your budget.

Ease of Use: Make sure the app is user-friendly before committing.

Essential FAQs About Meal Planning Apps

Are there free meal planning apps?

Yes, many meal planning apps offer free versions or trials with varying features.

What are the benefits?

Meal planning apps save time, reduce food waste, and can help you track nutrients for better health.

What's the average cost?

Most meal planning apps range from free to around $120 annually, with the average cost being $35 to $45 per year.

The Bottom Line

Finding the right meal planning app can make sticking to your diet and achieving weight loss goals much easier. With so many options available, it's about finding one that fits your lifestyle and preferences best.

Ultimately, the best meal planning app—or weight loss strategy—is the one that works for you and that you can stick with in the long run.