There is no perfect solution as long as there are a limited set of meals.

In my last trip IAD-FRA, skipping around. FRA-IAD, front to back (actually left aisle front to back and then right aisle front to back). No second choices asked.

Note that the first and second choice method has its pitfalls as well. Suppose that a non elite full fare and a UGS 1K are sitting side by side. The full fare gets asked first being closer to the aisle and both of them select the same first and second choices. How do you explain to the full fare passenger that has no clue about the status based distribution when you give the first choice to the UGS and the second choice to the full fare passenger?