I met with an in-home care representative that will provide someone to cook for my husband now that the VA has approved this service for him and I am no longer well enough to cook for him. I wondered if ChatGPT 4o could formulate meal plans that used my husband's meal preferences and knowledge of his medical conditions so they could be used by the caregiver and I think CharGPT came through with flying colors!
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I provided the AI with his age, height, weight, and medical conditions that would affect his dietary needs including his sensitivity to red meat. Then I gave it his list of preferences and dislikes:
My husband likes:
Vegetables: Russet potatoes, French-cut green beans, petite peas, yellow summer squash, fresh corn on the cob, canned corn, canned spinach, fresh tomatoes, dill pickles, pickled beets, avocado, hominy, pork and beans, Acorn squash, breaded and fried zucchini and breaded and fried okra.
He dislikes: carrots, sweet potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, tofu, and brussels sprouts
He likes:
Fruit: bananas, grapes, pears, canned peaches, blackberries, apples, apple sauce, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, kiwi, and fresh mandarin oranges.
Salads: 3-bean salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, green salad, banana-apple salad, and cottage cheese.
Meats: Chicken, turkey, pork, ham, shrimp, and salmon; Beef irritates his GI tract now.
Main dishes: beans and ham, chicken and dumplings, soft tacos with chicken, barbecued country ribs, pork chops, chicken tenders, roast chicken, spaghetti, tamale pie, curried scalloped potatoes, and salmon patties.
I told ChatGPT his dessert favorites included: apple crisp, apple pie, banana pudding, angel food cake, berry cobbler, strawberry ice cream, chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, Pepperidge Farm's coconut cake, tapioca pudding, chocolate pudding, and cheesecake.
I asked for 24 dinner meal plans. Here are the meals that the AI suggested:
Roast Chicken with Russet Potatoes and French-cut Green Beans
Side: Green Salad with Avocado
Dessert: Apple Crisp (small portion)
Grilled Salmon with Yellow Summer Squash and Fresh Corn on the Cob
Side: Green Salad
Dessert: Strawberry Ice Cream (small portion)
Chicken and Dumplings with a side of Fresh Tomatoes
Dessert: Banana Pudding (small portion)
Soft Chicken Tacos with a side of Petite Peas
Side: Avocado Slices
Dessert: Peanut Butter Cookies (small portion)
Barbecued Country Pork Ribs with Breaded and Fried Zucchini and Dill Pickles
Side: Green Salad
Dessert: Berry Cobbler (small portion)
Shrimp Stir-Fry with French-cut Green Beans over White Rice
Dessert: Cheesecake (small portion)
Salmon Patties with Russet Potatoes and Pickled Beets
Side: Avocado and Tomato Salad
Dessert: Angel Food Cake with fresh berries (small portion)
Roast Chicken Thighs with Petite Peas and Yellow Summer Squash
Side: Green Salad
Dessert: Canned Peaches
Grilled Pork Chops with Fresh Corn on the Cob and Dill Pickles
Dessert: Pepperidge Farm's Coconut Cake (small portion)
Baked Salmon with a side of Pickled Beets and Macaroni Salad
Side: Green Salad with Avocado
Dessert: Apple Crisp (small portion)
Chicken Tenders with Breaded and Fried Okra and Cottage Cheese
Dessert: Strawberry Ice Cream (small portion)
Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce and Grilled Chicken
Side: Fresh Tomatoes
Dessert: Peanut Butter Cookies (small portion)
Beans and Ham with French Bread
Dessert: Cheesecake (small portion)
Pork Chops with Roasted Russet Potatoes and 3-Bean Salad
Dessert: Snickerdoodle Cookies (small portion)
Grilled Chicken Breast with Petite Peas and Fresh Corn on the Cob
Side: Green Salad
Dessert: Berry Cobbler (small portion)
Chicken and Dumplings with a side of Yellow Summer Squash
Dessert: Pepperidge Farm's Coconut Cake (small portion)
Ham Steak with Mashed Russet Potatoes and Green Cabbage
Side: Bakery French Bread
Dessert: Chocolate Pudding
Polish Sausage with Baked Potato, and Sauerkraut
Dessert: Cantaloupe slices
Tamale Pie with French Bread and Cottage Cheese
Dessert: Blackberries with a sprinkle of sugar (small portion)
Roast Chicken with Acorn Squash and Macaroni Salad
Dessert: Kiwi Fruit and Honeydew Melon slices
Roast Turkey Breast with Curried Scalloped Potatoes and Yellow Summer Squash
Side: Avocado and Tomato Salad
Dessert: Banana Apple Salad
Grilled Pork Chops with Pork and Beans and Hominy
Side: French Bread
Dessert: Strawberries with a dollop of whipped cream (small portion)
Chicken Wings with French fries and Green Beans
Dessert: Kiwi Fruit and Honeydew Melon
Roast Chicken with Oven-roasted potatoes and Acorn Squash
Side: Buttermilk Biscuit with honey and Cantaloupe
Dessert: Chocolate Pudding
Naturally, I would make a few substitutions. For example, I make spaghetti with meat in the sauce so I would not serve both spaghetti and grilled chicken together. I also rarely serve two cooked vegetables together unless one of them is potatoes. But the meal plans give me a very good outline for meals and I would only make an occasional substitution or add bread since my husband likes fresh French bread and Buttermilk biscuits with honey.
ChatGPT even provided a shopping list for each week. I pointed out to ChatGPT that the cook will have only 2 hours per visit however.
Mary: To simplify things a bit since the cook only has 2 hours for each visit, I would purchase the cookies (both Snickerdoodles and Peanut Butter) and purchase either Philadelphia Brand Cheesecake filling or prepared cheese cake. I do prefer the apple crisp to be homemade, though, since we have an apple orchard. Any other substitutions I should make considering the time constraint?
ChatGPT: Given the 2-hour time constraint for the caregiver, here are a few more suggestions to simplify meal prep:
Additional Substitutions:
Macaroni Salad and Potato Salad: Consider purchasing pre-made versions from the deli section, especially since these can be time-consuming to prepare from scratch.
3-Bean Salad: Opt for a pre-made version, which is often available in grocery stores. Alternatively, canned beans can speed up the process if the caregiver prepares it.
Breaded Vegetables (e.g., zucchini, okra): Pre-breaded frozen options can save significant time. They are easy to air fry or bake without needing to prepare the breading and frying process.
Roast Chicken: A pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a quick option that can be shredded or sliced for various meals (tacos, salads, or as a main dish).
Dumplings for Chicken and Dumplings: You could use frozen dumplings or pre-made biscuit dough, which will cut down preparation time.
By focusing on quicker-prep dishes and ready-made options for some sides, the caregiver can focus on fresh salads, cooked proteins, and key homemade items like apple crisp.
Mary: "I don't like deli-prepared macaroni or potato salad but could have my husband purchase boiled eggs to speed up prep. He will need onions and mustard though. I have a special recipe for 3-bean salad that he especially likes. It is not difficult, just one can each of green beans, garbanzo beans, and red kidney beans drained, chopped onions, commercially prepared minced garlic and vinaigrette dressing. I use Bisquick baking mix that I keep on hand with a little milk for dumplings. I did plan to suggest frozen breaded zucchini and okra."
ChatGPT: "It sounds like you have a great plan! With those modifications, the caregiver should be able to prepare meals efficiently while keeping the flavors your husband enjoys. The pre-purchased boiled eggs, your simplified 3-bean salad recipe, and using Bisquick for dumplings will definitely help streamline the process. The frozen breaded zucchini and okra will also be a big time-saver."
Then I asked if ChatGPT had suggestions to what I need to ask when I meet with the in-home care representative.
ChatGPT:
When meeting with the in-home care agency representative, here are some important questions you can ask to ensure the caregiver can meet your husband's needs:
Experience and Training
What experience does the caregiver have with meal preparation for individuals with heart failure, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome?
Are the caregivers trained in managing dietary restrictions and portion control for medical conditions like diabetes?
Meal Preparation and Planning
Will the caregiver follow specific meal plans or recipes, and can they accommodate my husband's food preferences and dislikes?
Can the caregiver prepare meals ahead of time for easy reheating if needed?
Are they familiar with low-sodium, heart-healthy cooking methods?
How do they ensure proper portion sizes, especially for desserts and carbohydrates, to manage blood sugar levels?
Shopping and Ingredients
Will the caregiver be responsible for grocery shopping, or will we provide all ingredients?
Are they able to adjust meals based on what is available seasonally or what we prefer to purchase?
Communication and Feedback
How will the caregiver communicate about meal preferences or changes in diet needs over time?
Can we provide feedback on meals, and how will adjustments be made based on my husband's preferences or health conditions?
Scheduling and Flexibility
What is the typical schedule for meal preparation? How flexible are they if our schedule or needs change?
Can the caregiver prepare extra meals in advance for days they may not be present?
Special Requests
Are they comfortable preparing more complex dishes like cobblers, homemade apple crisp, or other desserts in moderation?
How will they handle any kitchen safety concerns or special equipment needs?
Then I summarized the appliances I had available for meal prep:
Mary: In addition to a new gas range with computerized controls, I also have a Ninja Foodi with 37-functions including air frying and pressure cooking, a convection-equipped toaster oven and a variety of small appliances such as a blender, grill, and mixer for use in food prep. I plan to set out the manuals for each so she/he can familiarize themselves with their operation. Any other suggestions?
ChatGPT: "It’s a great idea to set out the manuals for your appliances. Here are a few additional suggestions to help the caregiver:
Provide a Tour of the Kitchen: Show the caregiver where all key items are located—pots, pans, utensils, spices, and ingredients commonly used in meal preparation.
Highlight Preferred Cooking Methods: If your husband prefers certain methods (e.g., air frying for crispy textures with less oil), point those out so the caregiver can prioritize them in meal prep.
Label Essential Ingredients and Supplies: Clearly label any specialized ingredients (like low-sodium or low-carb items) to avoid confusion.
Create a Quick Reference Guide: Along with the manuals, provide a brief written guide that summarizes how each appliance is most commonly used, particularly for cooking his favorite meals.
Introduce Portioning and Storage Preferences: Let them know how you like food to be portioned, stored, or labeled for future meals. This can include whether your husband prefers leftovers and how to pack them.
Review Safety Practices: Remind the caregiver of any kitchen safety protocols, such as the safe use of pressure cooking with the Ninja Foodi or handling sharp knives and hot appliances.
Schedule a Trial Run: Have the caregiver prepare a meal while you’re around, so they can ask questions or troubleshoot any appliance concerns in real time.
This should help the caregiver feel comfortable and confident in using your appliances effectively."
In a comparison of ChatGPT 4o with Google's Gemini, I found ChatGPT far superior to providing appropriate suggested meal plans based on both my husband's medical restrictions and his personal palate. Gemini kept listing meal plans that included many of the things I had specifically told it my husband didn't like and seemed to resist (?) or ignore my requests for changes. ChatGPT 4o asked me after each response if I wanted to tweak the meal plans further.
