shopping lists

Does anyone have a good shopping list they use when going to the grocery store. I am single and live by myself and always end up getting home from the grocery store feeling like I spent a bunch of money on nothing. I buy really healthy but always foret veggies, or fruit or protien. My meals end up unbalanced.

Does anyone have a grocery template or any other ideas? Thanks!

Wed. Nov 2, 1:02pm

This is kind of a hard question because everybody likes different foods. If you're aware that you don't buy fruits and vegetables, then make it a point to write it down on the top of your list. I know at most stores the produce section is the first department you go through. Tuna and cottage cheese along with eggs, peanut butter and cheese are always a good protein and shouldn't go to waste for a single person. Frozen fish filets are a great standby and healthy meal. I usually buy frozen bags at Sam's club and each filet is individually wrapped. To thaw them quickly, run COLD water in your sink or a bowl and place the wrapped filet in the sink or bowl of water. Depending on what type of fish you have (thickness of filet) they will thaw in 30 mins. or less. And Fish cooks really quickly. Hope this helps!

Wednesday, November 2, 2005, 1:41 PM

I agree with the poster who said that it's hard to give some one else a list. But it's not hard to make a list for yourself! Try planning out a week's worth of food (or however much you normally buy at one time) on paper. Write out each meal separately, and make sure that they are balanced (one fruit and one veggie per meal, or whatever you are aiming for). Then make a list from that menu plan of everything you'll need. Then you just have tomake sure you take the list with you to the grocery (that's my biggest problem - I always forget the list on my kitchen counter!).

Wednesday, November 2, 2005, 1:55 PM

I read this in a diet book (Zone or South Beach, I think):

Shop the edges of your grocery store. Most stores are set up so that the fresh food is placed along the outer walls, while all the processed, prepackaged, empty carb-filled food is in the center aisles. If you never go to those center aisles (or minimally, for the occasional treat), you'll be much less likely to buy crap, and you'll have walked through the produce, dairy, and meat sections.

Wednesday, November 2, 2005, 1:58 PM

I have learned the only way I will actually come home with food is if I sit down and plan a few meals out in advance. So I plan my weekly dinner menu, write what I will need to for them and I'm good.

Wednesday, November 2, 2005, 8:51 PM

I'm also a single girl living alone. I keep my freezer stocked with frozen berries and veggies - they're cheap (the veggies, anyway), and they're easy to make to add to a meal! They don't go bad, so you can stock up and just refill when you're running low instead of when you run out. Frozen spinach, thrown in a pan with some PAM and spices, is yummy. Mixed frozen veggies make a good side - and there are lots of varieties. And I'm totally addicted to frozen raspberries - a bowl of them is almost like ice cream to me at this point, they're so sweet and frozen!

Wednesday, November 2, 2005, 9:14 PM

this will save you time AND money!

I am married with 3 kids, so I'm sure I buy a lot more groceries than you do, but I think this system could work for anyone.
Get a list from the customer service counter of the grocery store of their food by aisles and/or make your own. I took the store's list (which isn't as complete as you might think) and walked through each of the aisles checking off things I normally buy and writing down things that weren't on the store's list. Go through the entire store. When you get home, print up a customized list, by aisle. And leave a space next to each item for a place to check things off. I recommend using Excel and putting everything in a table.
Each week, print up a new list and leave it on your fridge. As you think of things to buy or when you run out of something, check it off on the list. At the end of the week, just before you go shopping for the following week, go down the list and see if there's anything else you need.
When you go to the store, start in aisle #1 and go through each one in which you have an item checked off. ONLY buy the things you checked off - walk right by the stuff that is not on your list!
It will save you time because you'll already know where everything is and you won't have to wander around looking for it. It will save you money because you won't be tempted to buy impulse items.
Another way to save money (I do this sometimes, too!) is to only allow yourself x-amount of dollars per week. As you pick up each item, round up to the next dollar and keep a running tab. When you get close to your limit, you may have to cross a thing or two off your list, but you'll be surprised at what things you can wait until next week to get.
Good luck!!

Friday, November 4, 2005, 7:25 AM

I find the meal planning approach helps me stick to an eating plan, organizes my shopping, and saves me money in the form of food I don't waste.

I eat the same thing for breakfast and generally for lunch, so dinner is the only meal I really 'plan' out. I have a whiteboard on the fridge and I write out each day and next to it what I'm going to have that day. On the side I keep a running shopping list of 'staples' like milk and eggs 'n such. At the end of the week I copy my 'staples' list, plan what to eat each day and then write down the items I don't have. I go to the store and buy just those.

Keeping the plan and list on the fridge has a couple added benefits:

1. If my husband gets home before me he can't use the "well I didn't know what you had planned" excuse to not start dinner.

2. It helps me stay on course when I want to avoid cooking, cause I know what I need to make and I know that I have those indgredients just sitting there ready to be tossed together.

I don't plan dinners during the week that take longer than 1/2 hour to prepare and cook.

Best wishes!

Friday, November 4, 2005, 11:46 AM

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