Sydney, Australia, 20 May 2025 – Nearly two thirds (66%) of Australians surveyed report experiencing decision fatigue when it comes to their meal planning, including feeling overwhelmed or stressed by the process, claims new research from global nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal.
While meal planning may be a common weekly routine for most households – with over half (55%) of Australians surveyed reporting planning meals for five to seven days a week on average – more than one in five (22%) admit they often avoid it altogether due to the stress it causes. For those feeling the pressure, almost half (48%) say it’s because of the sheer number of tasks involved, from finding recipes to making shopping lists. Meanwhile, more than a third (34%) say they’re simply overwhelmed by too many choices, leading to indecision and burnout.
Nutritionist and MyFitnessPal ambassador, Michaela Sparrow says,“From managing work and family, to daily decision-making, Australians are mentally stretched – so it’s no surprise that figuring out dinner every night can become a real source of stress. The intention to plan is there, but the time and headspace often aren’t. MyFitnessPal’s Meal Planner is here to make it easier, turning stress into simplicity ”
Even with the best intentions, meal planning takes time – 65% of Aussies spend 1–2 hours a week on this per week, with some even dedicating up to 5 hours. Yet more than three quarters (78%) say even this can feel like time down the drain. It's not only time being wasted, as more than two thirds (68%) of meal planners estimate they waste 1kg of food per week.
The overwhelming mental fatigue may also affect eating habits. Nearly half (45%) of Australians report that when meal planning becomes too much, they turn to processed or prepackaged foods for convenience. Around the same number say they order takeaway at least once a week simply because they can’t decide what to eat.
Parents are feeling the strain even more, with almost half (47%) of regularly planning their children’s school lunches, while nearly one in five (18%) of those who don’t, say they simply lack the energy to do so. But for those who do make the effort, the payoff is clear — with more than half of the respondents estimating they save over $50 a week by planning their child’s lunches instead of purchasing them from the school canteen or tuckshop, potentially saving more than $2,500 annually.
To support Australians and help ease the mental burden of meal planning, MyFitnessPal has launched its new ‘Meal Planner’ tool, designed to simplify the process and help users save time, money, and headspace.
“With MyFitnessPal’s new Meal Planner, Australians can spend a fraction of the time they are spending now to create a personalised, easy-to-follow meal plan tailored to their goals, dietary preferences, and budget,” adds Michaela. “It takes the guesswork out of mealtimes and helps users stick to a balanced, affordable routine.”
To discover more about the app’s latest feature, and MyFitnessPal, visit: www.myfitnesspal.com or download the app for free via the Apple App Store or Google Play.
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About MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is the #1 global nutrition and food tracking app founded in 2005 with a mission to help people around the world reach their health goals through better food choices by providing knowledge, motivation, and a sense of progress. Supporting nearly 1 million people in reaching their nutrition and fitness goals every year and with a community of over 280 million members in over 120 countries, MyFitnessPal offers members one of the world’s most comprehensive nutrition and food tracking platforms, allowing them to track their food, create personalized and goal-driven meal plans, record exercise activity, and log their weight. With one of the largest food databases in the world comprising over 20 million foods, access to over 2,000 recipes, and over 35 connected fitness partners, MyFitnessPal provides members with the tools for positive healthy change.
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