Creating a Flexible Grocery Plan that Works

Currently, product availability in grocery stores across the nation has fluctuated significantly from week to week. As individuals' schedules are also in flux, there may not be a set day that one can get to the store, causing even more uncertainty when planning meals. Here are some ways to make your grocery list more adaptable!

• Outline your meals for the week - This will alleviate any unnecessary trips to the store. We find that picking a dinner "theme," such as breakfast for dinner or Mexican-themed foods is enough to guide you through the isles while giving you enough flexibility based on whatever is available. 
  
• Have a backup plan - This is especially the case with proteins. For example, pinto beans and rice would make an easy pantry-based swap for ground beef, if your store is all out. 
• Make sure your items can be multi purposeful - One tip we always share with clients is that they can batch cook things like rice and meat, which can be later tailored to fit varying flavor profiles. For example, a large batch of penne pasta can be cooked at once, but can be used with a red sauce one night and then also turned into a cold pasta salad for lunch the next day.
• Remember your essential food items - We have all left the grocery store and realized we forgot the flour!  Including the basics, such as olive oil, flour, butter, or lemons on your list helps you remember. 
• Break up your list - divide it into proteins, grains, dairy, pantry staples, snacks, etc and come up with a couple options for each.  This allows you to mix and match based on what you need for the week, and gives you flexibility if something is available.

Don’t forget the freezer! - whether that is the grocery store freezer section, or buying the meat that is on sale and freezing that until you are ready, remember to keep frozen foods in mind.