How do I plan for a family?Updated 2 months ago

Quick Answer

CENTR offers family-friendly meals that you can scale to feed your household. Adjust serving sizes in recipes or the Shopping List to match your family size, and use the swap feature to find recipes everyone will enjoy. All ingredient quantities and Shopping List totals update automatically when you scale recipes.

Scaling Recipes for Your Family

Adjusting Serving Sizes

1. Open any recipe from your meal plan or Explore
2. Find the serving size option at the top of the recipe
3. Increase servings to match your family size (4, 6, 8, etc.)
4. Ingredient quantities automatically recalculate
5. Nutritional information adjusts per serving

See "Can I customize portion sizes?" for detailed serving adjustment instructions.

In the Shopping List

You can also scale recipes directly in your Shopping List before grocery shopping:

1. Go to Home > My Plan > Meals
2. Access your Shopping List
3. Adjust serving sizes for recipes you're cooking for the family
4. Ingredient quantities update to buy the right amounts

Finding Family-Friendly Recipes

CENTR offers family-friendly meals designed to appeal to various ages and preferences:

• Browse Explore for family-friendly recipe options
• Look for recipes with familiar ingredients and flavors
• Use the swap button to replace complex recipes with simpler family meals
• Choose recipes with shorter ingredient lists for picky eaters

Swap for family appeal: If your weekly meal plan includes recipes that won't work for your family, swap them for more family-friendly alternatives using the swap button in My Plan.

Managing Different Dietary Needs

When family members have different dietary preferences or restrictions:

• Base recipes: Choose meals where protein can be added separately (e.g., salads, grain bowls, stir-fries)
• Customize portions: Make the base recipe and let family members customize their plates
• Prepare sides separately: Cook shared vegetables and sides, add protein based on individual preferences
• Allergy-safe cooking: Use allergy filters in Explore to find recipes safe for all family members
• Dietary preferences: Consider setting your dietary preference to the most restrictive family member's needs, then add extras for others

Meal Prep for Families

Save time by batch cooking family meals:

• Scale recipes to 6-8 servings for multiple meals
• Use swap feature to find meal prep-friendly recipes
• Cook on weekends when you have more time
• Portion into family-sized containers for the week
• Freeze extras for busy weeks

See "How do I meal prep efficiently?" for more batch cooking strategies.

Shopping List for Family Cooking

The Shopping List makes family grocery shopping efficient:

1. Select which days you're cooking for the family
2. Adjust serving sizes to family portions
3. The Shopping List totals all ingredients needed
4. Shop once for the entire family's weekly meals

Tip: Include multiple family members on shopping trips - kids who help shop are often more willing to try new foods.

Tips for Family Meal Success

• Start simple: Begin with familiar family-friendly recipes, then gradually introduce new flavors
• Involve kids: Let children help choose recipes from Explore or assist with age-appropriate cooking tasks
• Flexible serving: Make extra for adults who need larger portions, scale appropriately for children
• Build-your-own meals: Taco bars, grain bowls, and salad stations let everyone customize while cooking once
• Plan for leftovers: Scale up favorite recipes to have lunch or next-day dinner ready
• Keep backup options: Have simple sides (rice, pasta, bread) available for extremely picky eaters

Cooking Times and Equipment

When scaling recipes for families:

• Cooking times: Larger batches may need slightly longer cooking - use a food thermometer to verify doneness
• Pan size: Ensure your cookware is large enough for increased quantities
• Oven capacity: You may need to cook in batches if making very large quantities
• Storage: Have adequate containers for storing family-sized portions

Common Questions

Do I need separate CENTR accounts for family members? No. You can use one account and scale recipes to feed your entire family. Each family member could have their own account if they want personalized workout plans, but meal plans can be shared.

Can I filter for kid-friendly recipes? While there isn't a specific kid-friendly filter, you can use the swap feature to find recipes with familiar ingredients and simple flavors that appeal to children.

How do I handle very picky eaters? Start with recipes featuring ingredients your family already enjoys. Use the allergy and preference filters to exclude foods that are consistently rejected. Consider serving new recipes alongside familiar backup options.

Can recipes be scaled to any size? Most recipes can be scaled to accommodate families of various sizes. Very large families (10+ people) may need to make recipes in multiple batches depending on equipment size.

Need Help?

If you need help finding family-friendly recipes or have questions about cooking for your household, contact our support team at [email protected]