We all have the best of intentions when it comes to our health and eating right. We also know that it’s usually more economical to eat at home rather than to go out. Going out to eat has multiple downsides which can curb your goals for a healthier lifestyle and finances.

So, how do you balance a busy schedule with time to cook? Download SmartCook’s Healthy Eating Starts at Home to find out. This app is free to download and super easy to use. All you have to do is use it. It offers several options for you to choose based on what your current constrictions are, dietary and ingredients-wise. The app can also be used as a shopping list tool, if you get to the point where you are creating your menu for the week.

Bottom line, it takes the guess work out of, “what should I make today?”

To start, simply select what you want to cook: Appetizer, Main Dish, Salad, Soup, Side Dish, Breakfast, Condiments…the list goes on. Next, select Ingredients. This would be ingredients you have on hand. This list kind of changes based on the dish or genre you want to cook. Finally, select any dietary restrictions you need to consider: Vegetarian, Vegan, Pescatarian, and more. I did not see anything for Gluten Free, which was surprising.

In order to use all of the features in SmartCooks, you will need to create an account. This can be your Facebook profile, Google account or an account based on an email address. You won’t be able to do much without an account, so I was not quite sure why they did not ask for this from the get-go.

Once you unlock all features, you’ll see the following app areas in SmartCooks: What to Shop, What to Cook, What’s in the Pantry, Recipe Search, Calendar and My Favorites. So, it’s easy to see that the functions are numerous and it allows to easily set your plan for the week with the assistance of a digital soux chef, if you will.

You can change your options in terms of what item or meal you are searching for or even dietary restrictions by selecting Recipe Search. Once you’ve found a recipe you are interested in, you can add the ingredients to your shopping list, mark it as a favorite, Share it and even schedule it on your Calendar.

What would be nice to see is better options for Ingredients when you’ve chosen your dietary restrictions. I had selected Vegetarian and it still offered Beef as an option, in addition to Chicken, Pork and Turkey. That just didn’t make sense.

SmartCooks app is simply the best in terms of being able to find something good to eat, whether it’s in the moment or planned. It helps you make your decisions quicker which helps you eat better. Looking for an easier way to eat healthier and use your time wisely? Download SmartCooks and give it a try.