Plain-English reference
Meal planning glossary
Simple definitions for grocery budgeting, pantry planning, leftovers, and meal-cost tools.
- Batch cooking cost
- The estimated cost of a cooking session divided by the portions or meals the household expects to use.
- Cost per meal
- The estimated total cost of one meal, usually built from user-entered ingredients, pantry items, and sides.
- Cost per serving
- A planning estimate that divides a total meal or batch cost by household-defined portions. It is not nutrition advice.
- Food date label
- A package date that may relate to quality, sale, or other information. It should not be treated as automatic safety advice without official guidance.
- Food waste cost
- The estimated value of edible food bought but not used. This site uses user-entered values rather than fixed promises.
- Pantry-first planning
- Building meals and grocery lists from food already on hand before buying more.
- Price per unit
- A package comparison method that divides price by size using the same unit.
- Stock-up week
- A grocery week where spending is higher because the household bought longer-lasting items.
- Use-up plan
- A short plan for food that should be used before buying more or before quality declines.