Weekly Meal Planner: A Web-Based User Preference-Driven Menu Planning System

Abstract

The Weekly Meal Planner: A Web-Based User Preference-Driven Menu Planning System addresses the common problem of meal planning being repetitive, time-consuming, and often inefficient for individuals managing busy schedules. Many users struggle to decide meals daily, leading to wasted time and lack of variety. To overcome this, the proposed solution is a simple yet effective web-based meal planner that automates the meal planning process based on user preferences. The system is developed using a user-input-based framework, where users can enter their meal preferences and customize plans according to their needs. The core methodology relies on a JavaScript-based randomization technique that generates weekly meal plans dynamically, providing varied meal plans whenever sufficient meal preferences are available. Key features of the system include the ability to edit meal plans easily, keyword-based allergy filtering, shuffle meals for quick alternatives, and store preferences using local storage, enabling users to access their saved schedules across browser sessions and allowing data persistence without requiring complex databases. The result is a lightweight, user-friendly, and interactive web application that simplifies meal planning while offering flexibility and convenience. Overall, this system demonstrates how a user-centered design combined with basic web technologies can effectively solve everyday problems, making meal planning faster, more convenient, and more engaging for users.