Study Reveals UAE Shoppers Are Now Using AI To Plan Meals & Slash Costs

We’ve all felt it, one grocery run and there goes half your paycheque. But in the UAE, shoppers aren’t just complaining, they’re getting clever. Enter: AI. Whether it’s planning meals or syncing shopping lists to fitness goals, they’re using smart AI tools to eat better, save more, and stop throwing food (and money) in the bin.

The Weekly Grocery List Now Starts With AI

Gone are the days of wandering aimlessly down the aisles. Across the UAE, people are turning to tech to shop clever, eat cleaner, and waste less. From fitness-linked grocery lists to meal plans made by AI (yes, even ones that fit under AED 100 for the whole week), it’s all about making smarter choices. Apps now talk to your smartwatch, count your calories, and even suggest what to cook based on your goals and what’s left in the fridge. Meal kits? They’re on the rise too. They’re cheaper than most deliveries and keep you away from random late-night shawarma cravings.

Smart Choices, Healthier Baskets

According to PwC Middle East’s “Voice of the Consumer 2025” report, over 40% of shoppers in the GCC use AI to create personalised fitness or meal plans. The goal isn’t just saving money. It’s also about eating clean and avoiding waste.
Here’s what shoppers are doing:

• Planning meals in advance
  
• Avoiding impulsive takeout
  
• Using apps to scan store discounts and match recipes
  
• Choosing bundles of healthy ingredients over junk food
  

Your Watch Is Now Your Grocery Coach

Wearables have levelled up. Smartwatches and fitness trackers now pair with apps that suggest what to buy and when to cook. Cooking alerts on your phone? They’re stopping people from reaching for the phone to order in. Some apps even remind you when food is about to expire, helping you waste less.

Wellness Now Fits Into Your Budget

 PwC’s findings reveal:

• 67% of shoppers avoid ultra-processed food
  
• 28% subscribe to meal kits for home cooking
  
• 9% use weight-management meds like Ozempic
  
• 38% prefer local markets to get more value for their money
  

This shift is as much about money as it is about feeling good. In the UAE, more families are reaching for local, in-season goodies that don’t break the bank. Sure, taste and price still lead the way, but if it’s fresh, healthy, and easy on the planet,  even better.

Retail Apps Are Getting Smarter

The apps you shop with aren’t just pushing offers. They now:

• Auto-generate affordable weekly menus
  
• Recommend meal bundles to save time and cash
  
• Offer in-app tools that scan your pantry and suggest recipes
  
• Share tips to use up leftovers
  

Shoppers are loving the convenience. No more guessing what to cook or overbuying what you don’t need.

Also Read: From Visas To Scholarships, A Step-By-Step Guide For International Students To Study In The UAE

Sustainability? It’s On Everyone’s Radar

Three out of four people in the GCC care about climate change. That’s huge. No fancy labels needed. Just honest ingredients, smart packaging, and a feel-good bite that doesn’t cost the Earth.

Fast forward to 2035, and PwC reckons the food-meets-tech-meets-health market in the Middle East could hit a jaw-dropping $240 billion. We’re talking AI grocery apps that plan your meals for the week, smart fridges that know what’s inside and what’s going off, and ready-made kits built by nutritionists. It’s about shopping smarter, wasting less, and finally having control without the fuss.

Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/pocstock