One of the best ways to make grocery shopping feel less intimidating is by having a well-organized grocery list that helps you navigate the store with ease. A good list can keep you on track so you buy only things you'll actually need, which can help you save money and cut down on food waste, too.

As a dietitian on a budget , here are my best tips on making a useful grocery list for your next shopping trip. One of the biggest mistakes people make is writing a grocery list without thinking about the meals they plan to cook throughout the week.

Menu planning doesn't have to account for every single thing you eat each day, but a rough plan can help focus your list and, therefore, the foods in your cart. I typically plan dinners for five nights a week. This allows me the flexibility to eat out one night and to have leftovers or be spontaneous another night.

I usually stick to the same few breakfasts and lunches so I can just buy a few ingredients to cover the bases more on that later.

After I make my menu plan, I add the ingredients I need into the appropriate sections of my list. When I write my grocery list, I think about how I will navigate around the store.

If your store's layout is different, you may need to shift the order of your list. Grouping items together by area of the store is super helpful, so you can have an efficient shopping experience because when I grocery shop, I'm all about efficiency.

Plus, having an organized list means less risk of needing to double back through the store to pick up a forgotten ingredient. The first and usually largest section of my grocery list is devoted to the produce section. In most stores, it's the first area you see when you enter, so it's a natural place to start filling your cart.

Regardless of my menu plan for the week, I always pick up some fresh fruit and salad greens, usually opting for what's on sale.

Then I'll pick up any fruits, vegetables and herbs I need for my menu plan. Before I move on to the next area, I'll make a point to check out what's on sale and see if I could add it to any of the meals I'm making that week.

For example, if I'm planning to make pasta and I see that bell peppers are on sale, I'll throw a few of them in my cart for sautéing and snacking. The next part of my list is devoted to any proteins I need for the week. The meat counter is usually behind the produce section so I can move intuitively through the store.

Meats and seafood are usually the most expensive items on my list, so to help stay within my budget, I'll choose smaller portions and more budget-friendly cuts bonus points if they're on sale. I'll also include things I need from the deli counter, such as sliced meats, cheese or olives, in this part of my list.

I like to eat a variety of different types of protein throughout the week, but things like eggs and canned beans or fish are on different sections of my list based on where they are in the store.

The middle section of my list is you guessed it devoted to the aisles in the middle of the store. Your fingers will be less likely to slip, and the skin will pull away in one easy motion.

Check out our guide to pulses for the best way to prep and cook these tasty budget savers. Chickpeas and lentils add hearty texture to tomato-based pasta sauces, kidney beans stretch out a pot of chili to feed a crowd, and split peas satisfy in Quebec-style pea soup.

Tip: Lentils are very fast to cook. They make an excellent base for a quick soup or stew. Long-grain rice Long-grain rice, such as jasmine, is another superb pantry staple. It makes a quick side dish and comes to the rescue when a guest who avoids gluten stops by for dinner.

Less pricey than the short-grain variety, long-grain rice is just as versatile: Serve it steamed alongside veggies and meat, use leftovers the next day in a fried rice dish or rice pudding, or make it into a cold salad with julienned vegetables and a ginger-lime dressing.

Tip: Rinse long-grain jasmine rice in cold water before cooking to remove surface starch for a fluffier result. Take full advantage of an abundance of produce by swapping in-season ingredients for those close in flavour and texture in recipes.

Swiss chard can be substituted for spinach, for example. Minced green onions can take the place of chives, and most berries are interchangeable as the summer progresses. Find more food-swap ideas in our handy guide to substituting produce.

Tip: Display washed and ready-to-eat fruit in a bowl, and place it in a high-traffic zone. Your family will reach for these seasonal gems instead of packaged snacks. Ground beef, pork, chicken and turkey A package of ground meat is a meal-planning superstar and a home-economics essential pick.

Brown some ground meat for DIY family tacos, or drop homemade meatballs into a simmering tomato sauce. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising.

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They make an excellent base for a quick soup or stew. Long-grain rice Long-grain rice, such as jasmine, is another superb pantry staple. It makes a quick side dish and comes to the rescue when a guest who avoids gluten stops by for dinner.

Less pricey than the short-grain variety, long-grain rice is just as versatile: Serve it steamed alongside veggies and meat, use leftovers the next day in a fried rice dish or rice pudding, or make it into a cold salad with julienned vegetables and a ginger-lime dressing.

Tip: Rinse long-grain jasmine rice in cold water before cooking to remove surface starch for a fluffier result. Take full advantage of an abundance of produce by swapping in-season ingredients for those close in flavour and texture in recipes.

Swiss chard can be substituted for spinach, for example. Minced green onions can take the place of chives, and most berries are interchangeable as the summer progresses. Find more food-swap ideas in our handy guide to substituting produce. Tip: Display washed and ready-to-eat fruit in a bowl, and place it in a high-traffic zone.

Your family will reach for these seasonal gems instead of packaged snacks. Ground beef, pork, chicken and turkey A package of ground meat is a meal-planning superstar and a home-economics essential pick.

Brown some ground meat for DIY family tacos, or drop homemade meatballs into a simmering tomato sauce. Shape it into patties for grilled hamburgers, or spice up ground meat for Middle East—inspired kofta kebabs. Tip: Leftover ground turkey, chicken or pork mixed with sage, salt, pepper and brown sugar makes delicious sausage-style breakfast patties.

You only need a small bottle of luscious extra-virgin olive oil because a little goes a long way. Drizzle it over salads, pastas or pizzas right before serving, or pour a little in a saucer as a dip for crusty bread. Tip: To keep your extra-virgin olive oil at its peak, store the bottle in a cool, dark place away from the stove.

Real vanilla extract Real vanilla extract is worth the splurge for its intense aroma and flavour. In addition to using it in cakes and cupcakes, you can mix real vanilla extract into French toast batter, add a drop to brewed coffee for a vanilla-infused morning cup of joe, or pour a capful into a pot of porridge sweetened with maple syrup.

When used just a little at a time, even a small bottle can last for months. Tip: Add a drop or more, to taste to plain yogourt, stir well and top with fresh fruit for a quick dessert. Maple syrup Authentic maple syrup from Canadian maple trees has no equal. You can add it to cocktails for a stylish twist, mix it with sriracha for a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, or blend a little into whipped cream for a maple-infused dessert topping.

Tip: Use maple syrup as the secret ingredient in salad dressings or glazes for grilled chicken to add depth of flavour. Coconut oil Solid and white at room temperature and clear when melted, coconut oil is a worthwhile purchase, given its flexibility and long shelf life, not to mention its slightly sweet and mildly nutty flavour.

To prolong the life of your celery, place it in a jar with a small amount of water. Lemons are great for adding an acidic kick to your dishes and can be used in both savory and sweet recipes.

They make great marinades and dressings as well, like my Lemon Vinaigrette. For example, powdered milk is a cheap alternative to fresh milk. Sweet cream butter is often the cheapest option, and since butter can be easily frozen until you need it, if you see a deal, stock up!

If you really want smooth whipped butter, you can make your own! My Honey Butter recipe is a perfect option for spreading on cornbread or biscuits. Instead of buying smaller containers of flavored yogurt, buy non-fat yogurt in larger containers and add cinnamon, honey, raisins, or other flavors yourself.

Plus, yogurt can be used as an egg substitute in baking if the cost of eggs is too high. Avoid the pre-sliced cheese bags and save some cash by grating your own cheese. Opt for harder cheese like Cheddar, Colby, Gouda, parmesan, and Swiss, which last several weeks in the refrigerator after being opened.

If you need some hearty meal ideas to stretch your budget, check out my Stovetop Mac and Cheese and my Cheese Grits recipe. Frozen items last much longer than fresh and can be portioned out, which means less waste in the long run.

You can also save even more money by freezing your leftovers for another day. Frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, and beans , provide a good selection of different nutrients and are one of the most affordable bags of frozen veggies.

Berries can be added to a number of items including desserts, overnight oats, or cereals. I use berries in breakfast recipes like my Croissant Breakfast Casserole , as well as in sweet treats like my Strawberry Cake recipe.

Ground beef can be used to make a variety of meals, including chili , burritos , spaghetti bolognese sauce , and casseroles. You can save money by buying larger packs in bulk look for sales , portioning, and freezing them.

Similar to ground beef, buying chicken breasts in bulk can be very cost-effective, and buying it frozen is often cheaper than fresh. In the U.

Do your homework before you shop to find the stores that have the best deals and prices. Sign up to benefit from member-only discounts and special offers. Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper than buying individual items. The savings might seem small, but it all adds up.

Going along with buying in bulk, if you order a larger cut of meat like chuck roast for example , it can be cooked and then used in many different recipes like filling casseroles or hearty stews. Generic grocery products were first introduced in the s during record levels of inflation and are still incredibly relevant today.

Branded products are more expensive than generic or supermarket-owned brands. Often cheaper brands have the same ingredients as big brands but are half the price. Supermarkets constantly run promotions to compete with other leading retailers, so take advantage of BOGO buy one get one sales and other discounts whenever you can.

Get the most out of your supermarket shopping by clipping coupons. Get a copy of the weekly newspaper in the mail and spend time finding deals that are relevant to you. Cut out and save the coupons for your next shop. Alternatively, there are digital coupons that can be found on relevant shopping apps.

You can check popular sites like Pillsbury. com, BettyCrocker. com, and Coupons. Not only will using your leftovers save you money, but it also helps to reduce food waste. Make your food last longer by preserving and storing it correctly. Common methods of food preservation include freezing, chilling, salting, sugaring, canning, and vacuum packing.

Experiment with different methods and find one that works for you. You can make your own preserves using leftover fruit, like my Damson Plum Reserves. Creating wholesome and affordable meals for your family is easier than you think.

The following recipes only require a small number of ingredients, making them great budget-friendly meals for your whole family to enjoy:.

Read More. Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Wonderful information. Thanks for all your work composing the lists. I enjoy your Sunday post and keeping up with your family.

I was surprised and pleased that your budget shopping list was so close to my own shopping list. My husband and I are seniors on a fixed income and have made lots of adjustments to our grocery shopping in the last few years. Thanks for this article and for your recipes. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy. Skip to content Get 5 quick-prep meals you can make tonight. Home What to Buy The Ultimate Budget Grocery List to Help You Save Money The Ultimate Budget Grocery List to Help You Save Money by Blair Lonergan published on Apr 04,