By: Alexis Taliento
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives and is only going to become more influential as time goes on. Although this concept may seem scary, knowing how to utilize AI to its fullest potential can help contribute to an optimized lifestyle – especially as a college student!
Imagine having a free personalized nutritionist 25/8 who suggests delicious recipes based on the ingredients available in your fridge and consistently helps you achieve your wellness goals. Well… you don’t have to imagine because the resource is right at your fingertips!
AI tools such as ChatGPT can analyze the contents of your refrigerator when prompted and provide you with recipe ideas no matter what your dietary restrictions may be. This not only reduces impulsive purchases but also makes grocery shopping less stressful. I personally struggle with knowing what to buy when going to the grocery store so knowing I have a reliable tool that can assist me through the process makes the task a lot less daunting.
Additionally, with inflation increasing to 3.1% as of January 2024, everyone can use a little help from AI to ensure that meals are not only easy and delicious but also easy on the pockets. AI can suggest recipes that align with your financial goals while still helping you achieve a healthier and more balanced diet. It considers the prices of ingredients and helps you prioritize cost-effective options that you maybe didn’t even know existed before.
For example, if I have a budget of $80 this week to spend at the grocery store, want to increase my protein, and won’t have time to cook every day, I can generate a phrase like this in ChatGPT:
“Please make me a grocery list for meal prep this week (5 days) that is high in protein, can be refrigerated for up to 5 days, and will cost under $80”
Following the response to the prompt, you can respond in real time and make any adjustments if there’s something you would like to change.
Cost-effective meal planning is a great strategy and habit to get into when learning how to manage a budget and can influence future behaviors and money-spending habits.
This resourceful approach to meal planning is great for not only your budget but also your planet. College students are reportedly responsible for generating 142 pounds of food waste per year with that number increasing annually. Especially as a generation with growing attention toward sustainability and environmentally friendly habits, this is a great one to implement that can contribute to making a big difference.
By harnessing the power of AI, we not only make smarter, cost-effective choices but also contribute to a healthier planet, fostering a future where technology aligns seamlessly with our well-being and environmental consciousness.
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