The gamification of meal planning
There should be an app for this. Actually, there probably already is.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Here are some truths:
I dread meal planning.
I live in a city with an astonishing array of food choices, from those locally grown to those shipped from across the globe.
I am fortunate to be able to afford to buy said array of foods.
I feel some shame and guilt as I think about how I take those things for granted. How can I possibly resent meal planning when I am so privileged?
But here’s the thing about shame and guilt: While they may motivate me in the short term, they don’t have staying power. And they don’t feel like the most productive emotional places for me to dwell.
Enter: gamification. As in, turning meal planning into a game. Yes, I’m a full-grown adult, but why can’t I turn a chore into something fun?
That’s what I decided recently when I met with one of my wellness coaches. I told her I wanted to diversify my protein sources. As we explored this in our session, I realized I was bored with my typical meal routine. I had gotten some inspiration from a trip to Florida, where I realized shrimp really is the fruit of the sea. But I needed more.
As we talked, I thought about how much I love playing Wordle and using the game-style app Duolingo to learn a new language. What if I made meal planning into a game?
Author Jane McGonigal, in her book “SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully,” writes that gamification of real-world goals can help us tap into strengths like creativity, focused attention, determination and optimism.
In the spirit of game playing, my husband and I filled two bowls with folded notecards. The cards in one bowl had various proteins written on them, and the others had an assortment of vegetables. One notecard said “new to us” to encourage us to branch out a little. We picked three cards from each pile, and I found recipes on social media that incorporated the items.
I can’t remember the last time our refrigerator has been stocked with so many different types of vegetables. We’ve been cooking more together, found new recipes we like, and I’m excited to visit the farmers market to keep this inspiration train going.
Now if I could just find a way to make cleaning the bathroom fun.
Want extra support in your wellness journey? I’m here to walk alongside you and explore what that change might look like, whether it be increasing your energy level and mental clarity, reducing stress, sleeping better and feeling more rested, rediscovering your career passion, or reconnecting with loved ones. Schedule a free 15-minute wellness coaching consultation here.