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What Should I Eat Tonight?

Get a personalized meal idea in 10 seconds. No signup, no AI fees, 100% free.

400+ curated meal ideas across 10+ cuisines and every major diet

What meal are you planning?

How to Decide What to Eat

Stuck on what to cook? You're not alone. Dinner is consistently the hardest meal decision of the day, and it hits when your brain is already fried from a full day of choices. Here's how to make it easier.

Quick Dinner Ideas by Diet

Whether you're vegan, keto, gluten-free, or just trying to eat healthier, the best dinner is one you can make with what you have. High-protein options like grilled chicken bowls, salmon stir-fry, or lentil curry take under 30 minutes. Keto favorites include zucchini noodle bolognese and cauliflower crust pizza. For plant-based eaters, try chickpea tikka masala or black bean tacos.

Vegan meal planningKeto meal planningGluten-free mealsHigh-protein on a budget

What to Cook When Nothing Sounds Good

When you're stuck, simplify. Pick one protein, one vegetable, and one carb. Season with whatever's in your spice rack. A sheet pan dinner with whatever's in your fridge almost always works. The paradox of choice is real. Having fewer options actually makes deciding easier. That's why this tool limits your results to one great suggestion at a time.

Fridge full but nothing to eat?Cook with what you haveStop Googling dinner ideas

The Science Behind Dinner Decision Fatigue

Research shows willpower depletes throughout the day, making evening decisions hardest. A study in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition found that meal planners had 21% lower odds of obesity. Not because planning is magic, but because it removes the decision. The less you have to think about dinner, the better you eat.

Food decision fatigue explainedThe 5pm panicMeal planning for people who hate it

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I eat for dinner tonight?
Use the tool above to get a personalized suggestion based on your meal type, dietary preferences, and mood. It filters through 400+ curated meals to find one that fits. If you don't like the first suggestion, hit "Try Another" for a new idea instantly.
How do I decide what to eat when nothing sounds good?
Decision fatigue is real. By evening, your brain is tired of choosing. The trick is to narrow your options instead of expanding them. Pick a vibe (comfort food, quick & easy, etc.) and let the tool filter for you. Having one great suggestion beats scrolling through 100 recipes.
What are some healthy dinner ideas for weeknights?
Quick healthy dinners include: sheet pan salmon with vegetables (25 min), chicken stir-fry with brown rice (20 min), lentil soup (30 min), Greek chicken bowls (15 min), and veggie-packed pasta (20 min). Use this tool with the "Healthy" or "Quick & Easy" vibe to get more ideas.
Can I use this for vegan, keto, or gluten-free diets?
Yes. Select your diet in step 2 and every suggestion will be compatible. The tool covers vegan, vegetarian, keto, paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and high-protein diets. Each meal's macros and key ingredients are shown so you can verify it fits your needs.
How many calories should I eat for dinner?
Most adults should aim for 500-800 calories at dinner, depending on total daily needs and activity level. Use our free Macro Calculator to get your personalized calorie and macro targets, then use this tool to find meals that fit.
What's the easiest dinner to cook?
The easiest dinners require 5 ingredients or fewer and under 20 minutes: scrambled eggs with toast and avocado, quesadillas with whatever's in the fridge, pasta with jarred sauce and frozen vegetables, or a rice bowl with canned beans and salsa. Select "Quick & Easy" vibe for more ideas.
What should I eat to lose weight?
Focus on high-protein, high-fiber meals that keep you full. Think grilled chicken with roasted vegetables, salmon with quinoa, or lentil soup. Select "Healthy" or "High-Protein" in the tool above. For personalized calorie targets, try our free Macro Calculator.
Is this tool really free?
100% free, no signup required. You get 3 meal suggestions per session with no account needed. If you want unlimited ideas with full recipes, exact portions, and shopping lists tailored to your kitchen, that's what MealThinker's meal planning subscription is for.

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