The meal "uniform"...

Taking the guesswork out of your daily meals

With life being so busy, I’ve been looking for ways to simplify my meals. As a private chef, after a full day of cooking for clients, the last thing I want to do is cook again for myself and my boyfriend. But we still prefer eating at home—it saves money and gives us more control over what we’re eating.

That got me thinking about Steve Jobs. He wore the same outfit every day—black turtleneck and jeans—so he didn’t waste time deciding what to wear. It freed up mental space for more important things.

So I thought: What if I did the same thing with my meals?

I decided to create a “uniform” for breakfast and lunch—just one of each for the entire week. I picked a breakfast I wanted to eat and a lunch I’d enjoy (usually a mix-and-match bowl with a protein, rice, sweet potato, and 2–3 veggies). I bought only those ingredients and stuck to that plan. That way, I didn’t have to think about what to eat during the day—and could save my energy and creativity for dinner.

It worked so well that I’ve been doing it for the last six months. I switch up the meals each week to keep things interesting, but the structure stays the same. And as a bonus, I’ve saved money and reduced food waste by buying just what I need.

So if your weekdays feel hectic, try creating your own meal “uniform” for breakfast and/or lunch. It might just make your life a whole lot easier.