Family meal plan: one menu for everyone at the table

Cooking one dinner for the person following a plan, another for the child, and a third for the one who won’t eat onions is exhausting and unnecessary. Here’s how to cook one meal that works for everyone.

Information checked on 2026-09-30. General information, not medical advice. How we calculate

In short: cook one base for everyone and leave the differences on the plate (sauce, heat, extras). Allergies belong to everyone at the table, not just one person. No diets and no calorie counting for children.

One pot, several versions on the plate

A family menu is easiest when the base is shared: a stew, a soup, a bake, pasta with sauce. The differences only come at the end:

  • heat and spices go on the plate, not in the pot;
  • for children and anyone who likes things “separate”, put the sauce or topping on the side, not over the top;
  • for the picky eater, include at least one part they will eat (bread or rice, say);
  • anyone who wants more or less just takes another spoonful or leaves half.

How much to cook: portions per person

A general starting point: one portion for an adult or teenager, and about 0.6 of an adult portion for a child aged 4 to 12. It’s a rough average that you can adjust to how your family eats. Add it up and, if you can, round to half a portion. We don’t set calorie targets for other family members. We only work out how much to cook.

Allergies: safe for everyone at the table

If someone in the family has an allergy, the menu has to be safe for them, not just “mostly”. The most practical way is to cook one dish without that allergen for everyone. If the allergy is severe or it’s coeliac disease, read “may contain” warnings too and watch for cross-contact: separate utensils, clean boards and hands. There’s more in our guide to food allergies.

Child safety at the table

Children don’t need diets, and we don’t count their calories. General safety principles:

  • Under 1 year: plan first foods with your paediatrician. No honey before 12 months.
  • Choking risk. Don’t give small children whole nuts or seeds, and cut round pieces (grapes, cherry tomatoes) into quarters. Children should eat sitting down and supervised.
  • As little salt as possible. Don’t salt a child’s portion, or only very lightly; adults can add salt on the plate. Avoid very salty foods for the youngest.
  • You decide what and when, the child decides how much. No pressure and no “finish your plate”.

This is general information, not medical advice. If you’re unsure about your child’s diet, talk to a paediatrician.

The picky eater

  • Eat together: children learn by watching you.
  • Offer a new dish next to something they already like, in a small amount.
  • No pressure and no bargaining: a new taste sometimes needs to be offered many times.
  • Invite them to help in the kitchen: washing, stirring, decorating. They eat what they’ve made more willingly.

When to talk to a doctor

If a child refuses to eat most of the time, is losing weight or has stopped growing, or you suspect an allergy, see a paediatrician or GP. If breathing gets difficult or someone chokes, call 112.

One menu for everyone. Family portions in Dumpli Plus let you add other household members (an adult, or a child aged 4–12) and their allergies. The menu is built to be safe for everyone at the table, and the amount to cook is worked out from the people eating. We don’t set calorie targets for the others. The app is still being tested; the waiting list is on the app page. About the app → · Sample weekly menus

Frequently asked questions

How do I decide how much to cook for everyone?

A simple rule: one portion per adult, and about 0.6 of an adult portion for a child aged 4 to 12. That’s a rough average, not an exact number: children vary, so watch your own family’s appetite. Dumpli Plus does the sum this way and rounds to half a portion.

Should I count calories for my child?

We don’t. We don’t set calorie targets for children, and children don’t need diets. You decide what and when to offer; the child decides how much to eat. If you’re worried about your child’s weight or eating, talk to a paediatrician.

What if someone in the family has an allergy?

The simplest and safest way is to cook one dish that is right for everyone at the table, rather than making two versions. If the allergy is severe, also pay attention to “may contain” warnings and cross-contact.

What do I do about a picky eater?

No pressure and no bargaining. Offer the new dish next to something they already like, in a small amount, and remember that a new taste sometimes needs to be offered many times. Letting a child help you cook also works.

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