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How to create a grocery store list
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If you've ever gone to the store without a grocery store list, then you've most likely done one or more of the following:
--Bought something you really didn't need
--Bought everything you needed for a meal, except for one item
--Spent way too much time and money
In order to get in and out of the grocery store with no stress, no unplanned cookies, and no gaps in your dinner for tomorrow night, it helps to create a list of things you need and bring it to the store with you.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Get a pad of paper that sticks to your fridge (a magnet is great) and use that paper as a "go to" list to jot down randoms items you need that you think of throughout the week between menu planning.
- Pick one day of the week that you like to go shopping. The night before, get a larger piece of paper and decide how many nights a week you are likely to cook dinner.
- Make a blank grid, list, or columns based on that number.
- Pull out or research any recipes that you would like to use.
- Decide on the protein you would like to have for each night and write it in the appropriate column. Tofu, beans, shrimp, chicken, beef, turkey, salmon, etc.
- Decide on a "big" vegetable that you would like to have alongside each protein. I.e. Salmon with swiss chard, chicken with broccoli, bean soup with butternut squash. Fill those vegetables in the appropriate column. If you have specific recipes, pull them out now and plug them into your meal plan.
- If you want a whole grain or starch, slip those in the appropriate place as well. Brown rice, quinoa, barley, bulgur wheat, whole wheat cous cous (not officially a grain, it's technically pasta, but high in fiber and good to have on hand for a quick meal) white potato, sweet potato, whole wheat pasta, etc.
- Take another sheet of paper and create sections based on the section of the grocery store. Fruits, Vegetables, Meats, Fish, Dairy, Grains and Pasta, Frozen, Toiletries, Paper Products, etc.
- Look at your meal plan, recipes, and fridge "go to" list and make a list of the items you don't already have, filling those items in under the appropriate store section. This way when you are at the store, you don't have to spend extra time doubling back for items on the list that you may have already passed.
- Add salad ingredients for your side salad or lunch salad
- Add breakfast and lunch items you need to replenish
- Add any additional items (snacks, toiletries, cleaning products, diapers, etc)
- Don't forget to check your pantry for items you may already have on hand before you create your plan--sometimes you can put together a whole meal based on one or two items from your pantry you want to use up.
Once you do this a few times, it becomes second nature! Take these suggestions and adapt them to your own needs. Some people even create their menu planners and sectioned shopping list on the computer so each week they can just print out a fresh copy. It seems simple, but planning ahead and creating a grocery store list can save you valuable time and money, not to mention your health.
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