Food decisions multiply endlessly: What to eat? When? How much? Where? With whom? Cook or buy? Healthy or comforting? Your audit likely showed 200+ food decisions daily.
The Meal Matrix Method
Create a rotating menu that handles 80% of your meals automatically:
Breakfast Matrix (7 options, one per day): - Monday: Overnight oats - Tuesday: Scrambled eggs and toast - Wednesday: Smoothie bowl - Thursday: Greek yogurt parfait - Friday: Avocado toast - Weekend: Flexible/special
Lunch Matrix (5 workday options): - Monday: Salad bar from specific place - Tuesday: Meal prep container #1 - Wednesday: Soup and sandwich combo - Thursday: Meal prep container #2 - Friday: Team lunch (social, not solo decision)
Dinner Matrix (14 options, two-week rotation): Week 1: - Monday: Pasta night - Tuesday: Taco Tuesday - Wednesday: Stir-fry - Thursday: Sheet pan dinner - Friday: Pizza - Saturday: Eat out - Sunday: Meal prep
Week 2: Different but equally simple options
The Implementation Key
The matrix only works with preparation: - Sunday: Prep ingredients for the week - Automated grocery lists for each week's menu - Standard shopping times - Batch cooking where possible
Michael and Lisa implemented this system and cut their food decision time from 45 minutes to 5 minutes daily. They still eat out spontaneously, but the default is automated.