If you’ve ever stared into the fridge at 5:47 p.m., exhausted and unsure what to cook—while kids ask for snacks and someone needs help with homework—you’re not alone.

For many moms, the daily responsibility of meal planning isn’t just a chore—it’s a major source of mental load.

Let’s break down what the research says—and how Citrus Pear helps lighten it.

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What Is “Mental Load”?
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The mental load refers to the invisible labor of running a household: anticipating needs, planning ahead, remembering details. It’s the constant mental checklist moms often carry.

A 2019 study in Sociological Inquiry found that women are more likely to be “project managers” of the home—even when both partners work. This includes planning meals, remembering dietary preferences, and making grocery lists.
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Meal Planning Reduces Stress—But Takes Time

Studies show that structured meal planning:

• Increases feelings of control
  
  
• Lowers last-minute decision fatigue
  
  
• Reduces food waste and overspending
  
  (Source: American Journal of Health Promotion, 2017)
  
  

But effective planning takes time and mental bandwidth—something many moms don’t have to spare.

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How Citrus Pear Lightens the Load

This is where Citrus Pear steps in. We take the biggest stressors off your plate:

✔️ No planning: Every meal is already selected, balanced, and family-approved

✔️ No shopping: We prep the ingredients for you

✔️ No stress: We deliver them to you or you come and prep for 2 hours with us 

Whether you join an in-person class or use our home delivery, you get the freedom to spend your evenings on what matters most. Try out our monthly menu today!

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