# Meal prep reminder on WhatsApp

> Weekly meal prep reminders on WhatsApp: one to plan, one to shop and one to cook. Keep the grocery list in the same chat for the shop trip. 7-day free trial.

Source: https://www.getmindie.app/reminders/meal-prep (updated 2026-10-31)

## Messages to send Mindie
- Plan the week: "Every Friday at 7pm remind me to plan next week's meals"
- Cook day: "Every Sunday at 10am remind me to meal prep lunches for the week"
- Build the list: "Add chicken thighs, rice, spinach and Greek yogurt to my groceries list"

A meal prep reminder on WhatsApp is a weekly message to plan, shop and cook, so Monday doesn't start with an empty fridge. With Mindie, send "every Sunday at 10am remind me to meal prep lunches for the week" and it shows up every Sunday morning.

Meal prep fails at the planning step more than the cooking step. If nobody decides what to make by Friday, the shopping doesn't happen on Saturday, and Sunday's cook day becomes takeaway.

## When to be reminded

- **Two days before cook day,** to decide the meals and write the list.
- **Before your usual shop,** to check the list.
- **On cook day itself,** at a time you're home.

## Why it falls apart

- **No plan, no shop.** The list never gets made.
- **Ingredients are forgotten,** so the recipe can't be finished.
- **Weekends get busy,** and cook day slides to "maybe next week".

## Habits that help

- **Keep one running groceries list** in Mindie and add to it all week.
- **Repeat what worked.** Save favourite meal prep recipes as notes and rotate them.
- **Cook in one block.** Two hours on a Sunday usually covers weekday lunches.

## How Mindie handles it

1. **Set the weekly reminders** for planning, shopping and cooking in one go.
2. **Add items to your list** by text, voice note or a screenshot of a recipe.
3. **Ask for the list** at the shop and tick things off as you go.

## What Mindie doesn't do

- **It doesn't plan meals or give nutrition advice.**
- **It doesn't order groceries** or connect to shops and delivery apps.
- **It only messages you,** so housemates keep their own reminders.

## FAQ

### Can Mindie plan my meals?
No. Mindie reminds you to plan and keeps your lists. What goes on the menu is up to you.

### Can I add items to the list as I think of them?
Yes. Send "add oats to groceries" any time, in text or as a voice note, and ask for the full list at the shop.

### Can Mindie order my groceries?
No. Mindie doesn't connect to shops or delivery apps. It keeps the list; you do the buying.

### Can I set a reminder to defrost something?
Yes. Send "remind me at 8am tomorrow to take the chicken out of the freezer".

### Can I save meals we liked?
Yes. Keep a named list of favourites and ask for it when you plan the week.

## Related
- [WhatsApp lists](https://www.getmindie.app/features/whatsapp-lists)
- [Mindie for busy parents](https://www.getmindie.app/for/busy-parents)
- [Drink water reminder](https://www.getmindie.app/reminders/drink-water)
- [A Grocery List on WhatsApp That's With You in the Store](https://www.getmindie.app/blog/grocery-list-on-whatsapp)