Does the idea of going to the grocery store stress you out?
Do you go into the store not knowing what to buy and end up buying whatever looks good at the moment?
Here are our top 5 tips on how to have a less stressful experience at the grocery store. If you plan ahead, you may be able to get in and out of the store in less than 30-minutes!
5 Tips for a Less Stressful Trip to the Grocery Store:
- Take inventory:
- Figure out what ingredients you have in your cupboard and fridge to avoid buying duplicates and to avoid waste.
- Meal plan:
- Start with simple, versatile ingredients that can be used for different meals and courses. (Think sweet potatoes, eggs, sautéed veggies, rice/cauliflower rice, pre-chopped leafy greens and veggies for salads or stir fry)
- Look up your favorite recipes and take note of the ingredients.
- Variety is the spice of life:
- Shop for 2-3 different types of protein (chicken, beef, pork, etc.), vegetables (that can be used in a salad, sandwich, stir fry, pasta, or stew), and fresh fruit to get you through the week
- 1-2 different types of carbs (rice, pasta, bread, etc.)
- Organized shopping list:
- Start a grocery haul list based on the ingredients listed in your recipes and/or according to tip #4. I use the Google Keep app to organize my grocery haul list. I love the check-box feature!
- Plan of attack:
- Once you’ve created your shopping list, organize the list according to how your favorite grocery store is laid out from the moment you enter the store to avoid going back and forth in the store.
- I usually enter my local Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods stores and start in the produce section, then I work my way into the meat, dairy, and eggs, frozen food section, and finish off in the pantry goods section. Getting acquainted with the lay of the land will help you get in and out of the store much quicker.
And those are my 5 tips, friends! Check out all my recipes, meal plans, and grocery haul shopping lists for some help and inspiration for your next trip to the grocery store.
Happy shopping!
XO,
Jasmine