AI Does SA Groceries

Have you ever been so busy that you forget to do the little things?

This week was particularly busy for me. I had articles to write, meetings to prepare for, and deliveries to make. I hadn’t had a chance to update my shopping list, and with my kids staying with their other parent for the week, I needed to restock for the week ahead.

To save time, I decided to put NotionAI to the test.

apples and bananas in brown cardboard box
Photo by Maria Lin Kim on Unsplash

The prompt was to write a list of halal food items to purchase for a family of 1 adult and 2 school-going children that would provide enough food for the family to prepare 1 main meal each day and lunch boxes for the children for the next 7 days. Include sweets or chocolates. Try to keep the cost under R1000.

The response includes a meal plan and shopping list to meet these requirements.

Here is a meal plan and shopping list for a family of 1 adult and 2 school-going children.

Meal Plan

Day 1

  • Breakfast: Oatmeal with milk and honey
  • Lunch Box 1: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple, granola bar
  • Lunch Box 2: Cheese sandwich, banana, trail mix
  • Dinner: Baked chicken with roasted vegetables and rice

Day 2

  • Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with toast and orange juice
  • Lunch Box 1: Turkey and cheese wrap, grapes, pretzels
  • Lunch Box 2: Hummus and veggie wrap, orange, popcorn
  • Dinner: Spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread

Day 3

  • Breakfast: Yogurt with granola and mixed berries
  • Lunch Box 1: Sliced meat and cheese sandwich, carrot sticks, fruit snack
  • Lunch Box 2: Tuna salad with crackers, grapes, chocolate
  • Dinner: Beef stir-fry with rice and steamed broccoli

Day 4

  • Breakfast: Pancakes with syrup and butter
  • Lunch Box 1: Grilled cheese sandwich, apple slices, trail mix
  • Lunch Box 2: Chicken salad with crackers, orange, fruit snack
  • Dinner: Grilled fish with roasted potatoes and green beans

Day 5

  • Breakfast: Cereal with milk and sliced banana
  • Lunch Box 1: Pita pocket with hummus and veggies, grapes, trail mix
  • Lunch Box 2: Egg salad sandwich, apple, popcorn
  • Dinner: Beef and bean chili with cornbread

Day 6

  • Breakfast: French toast with syrup and butter
  • Lunch Box 1: Turkey and cheese sandwich, carrot sticks, fruit snack
  • Lunch Box 2: Peanut butter and banana wrap, popcorn, chocolate
  • Dinner: Chicken fajitas with peppers and onions

Day 7

  • Breakfast: Bagels with cream cheese and orange juice
  • Lunch Box 1: Sliced meat and cheese wrap, grapes, pretzels
  • Lunch Box 2: Veggie and hummus wrap, apple, fruit snack
  • Dinner: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans

Shopping List

  • Oats (R30)
  • Milk (R15)
  • Honey (R25)
  • Bread (R15)
  • Peanut butter (R30)
  • Jelly (R20)
  • Apples (R25)
  • Granola bars (R25)
  • Cheese (R40)
  • Bananas (R20)
  • Trail mix (R30)
  • Chicken (R80)
  • Vegetables (R35)
  • Rice (R20)
  • Eggs (R25)
  • Orange juice (R25)
  • Turkey (R35)
  • Grapes (R25)
  • Pretzels (R20)
  • Hummus (R30)
  • Carrots (R15)
  • Fruit snacks (R20)
  • Tuna salad (R40)
  • Crackers (R15)
  • Chocolate (R20)
  • Beef (R100)
  • Broccoli (R20)
  • Pancake mix (R25)
  • Syrup (R30)
  • Butter (R20)
  • Fish (R50)
  • Potatoes (R25)
  • Green beans (R20)
  • Cereal (R30)
  • Pita pockets (R25)
  • Cornbread mix (R20)
  • Beans (R20)
  • Fajita seasoning (R15)
  • Peppers and onions (R30)
  • Bagels (R25)
  • Cream cheese (R30)

Total cost: R990

Note: The cost may vary depending on the store and location. Also, the shopping list includes some sweets and chocolate to fulfil the children’s cravings.