Is family meal planning too much of a mental load?

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

IF IT FEELS LIKE THE SAME PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DINNER EVERY NIGHT...

NEW RESEARCH SAYS YOU'RE PROBABLY RIGHT.

A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 PARENTS FROM EVERY-PLATE FOUND MOST HOUSEHOLDS HAVE ONE PERSON WHO HANDLES THE MEAL PLANNING, GROCERY SHOPPING AND COOKING… AND IT'S MOST OFTEN MOM.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, FOUND THE ENTIRE DINNER ROUTINE – FROM PLANNING TO CLEANUP – TAKES NEARLY TWO HOURS A DAY.

MANY PARENTS SAY THE HARDEST PART ISN'T EVEN THE COOKING, IT'S THE CONSTANT MENTAL WORK OF DECIDING WHAT'S FOR DINNER.

SO... WHO'S THE DINNER DECISION-MAKER IN YOUR HOUSE? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 parents of school aged children who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by EveryPlate and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between July 9 - July 16, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.