Many meal prep apps focus on calorie-counting and weight loss—which are admirable efforts, when appropriate—but sometimes meal planning comes down to simply getting a delicious, satisfying meal on the table. Finding an app that will do that (and not send ill-timed reminders about exactly how many calories are in that pizza) is key. Fortunately, plenty of apps out there focus on the organizational aspect of meal planning. The best ones store recipes, offer suggestions, and maintain grocery store lists—all while making sure you always have an answer to, “What’s for dinner tonight?” Certain apps even go above and beyond dinner, with suggestions for breakfast and lunch (including packing lunches to go to school or the office). A good meal planning app can limit the shopping and planning options and make it all feel manageable. Take a look at these top meal planning apps and decide which might work for you. Features vary—and online reviews can be helpful—so do your research before committing. These apps are all free (though some offer in-app purchases), so you can test them to make sure your new cooking assistant is the right fit. To buy: Free; mealime.com. For iOS and Android devices. To buy: Free; cozi.com. Available for iOS and Android devices. To buy: Free; lalalunchbox.com. Available on iOS devices. To buy: Free; bigoven.com. Available on iOS and Android devices.
