DheeCuit Case Study
Reducing decision fatigue in meal planning with a mobile-first, favorites-first weekly planner.
Links: dheecuit.com · Instagram · Facebook · Preview the Demo
My Role
- Defined product strategy and content model; set the bar for <90-second weekly planning.
- Drove end-to-end UX: IA, flows, component system, UX writing, accessibility pass.
- Built interactive prototypes (Figma + coded HTML/CSS/JS); integrated public recipe APIs.
- AI-assisted implementation of auth, storage, and Railway hosting; iterated quickly.
Introduction & Objectives
The Challenge We Faced
- Meal planning is a chore; too many choices lead to decision fatigue and abandonment.
- Recipe apps optimize for browsing, not planning; leftovers rarely carry forward.
- People want a plan they’ll actually use—fast, favorites-first, and grocery-ready.
Project Objectives
- Reduce time-to-plan to under ~2 minutes.
- Favor “what you already like” to increase repeat usage.
- Make recipes grocery-ready; reduce waste with leftovers reuse.
Our Solution Approach
Design a single-strip weekly planner with one plan per day, fast add/replacement, and a simple “save to favorites” primary action. Keep cards consistent and scannable. Optimize the first run and weekly return loops.
Features & Functionality
1) 1-Tap Weekly Plan
Seven-day strip with quick replace—no heavy grids. Minimize choices, keep momentum.
Design Rationale: Less branching → faster completion → higher weekly return.
2) Favorites-First Planning
Pin go-tos and reuse them. The fastest path to a usable plan is what you already like.
Design Rationale: Reduces cognitive load; increases plan stickiness.
3) Easy-to-Follow Recipes & Complete Meal Planning
Recipes are structured for quick scan: clear ingredients, concise steps, and consistent metadata. You can go from idea → cooking without digging.
Complete meal planning in one spot. Get smart recommendations for side dishes that pair with your chosen recipe—rounding out the menu so dinner feels “done,” not piecemeal.
4) Leftovers Flow
Carry forward items from earlier in the week to cut waste and save money.
Design Rationale: A simple “reuse” nudge improves perceived value and retention.
Benefits & Impact
- Faster weekly planning with fewer decisions.
- Repeat usage driven by favorites and leftovers reuse.
- Grocery-ready recipes reduce waste and increase follow-through.
Implementation Considerations
- Smooth first-run (auth → first plan) and weekly return loop.
- Accessible color/typography; consistent cards and tap targets.
- Lightweight analytics; privacy-respecting tracking of plan completion.
Challenges & Mitigations
Decision Fatigue
Mitigation: Single weekly strip; fewer, better suggestions; favorites-first.
Inconsistent Recipe Data
Mitigation: Normalize metadata; standardize ingredient formats for shopping roll-ups.
Abandoned First Run
Mitigation: Default starter plan; minimal setup; obvious “Save to Favorites.”
Outcome & Key Metrics
- Live, mobile-first planner with weekly strip and 1-tap adds.
- Usability sessions indicate sub-2-minute plan creation.
- Returning testers cite “simplicity” and “quick planning.”
When available, swap in: early signups, % weekly active planners, median time-to-plan, $ saved/week (self-reported).
Summary Table
| Feature | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Strip | Single strip; 1-tap replace; fewer choices | Faster plan completion; higher return rate |
| Favorites | Pin go-tos; plan from what you like | Reduced decision fatigue; stickier plans |
| Grocery-Ready | Normalized ingredients; shopping roll-ups | Less waste; better follow-through |
| Leftovers | Carry forward items throughout week | Perceived savings; habit reinforcement |
Preview the Demo
Early functional preview (fast iteration; rough edges expected). Open Demo
