The Viral Grocery Shopping Method That Will Streamline Your Weekly List

If your grocery trips feel chaotic, expensive, or uninspired, this simple formula might be the refresh you need: On TikTok and Instagram Stories, creators are sharing the "6 to 1" or the "5-4-3-2-1" grocery shopping methods, easily actionable systems that limit your grocery list to a certain number of staple items, plus one special treat. The goal is to streamline your weekly grocery runs and budgets. As a bonus, the methods also encourage creativity in the kitchen as you learn to get versatile with your ingredients list. 

Below, we’ll explore why these methods are gaining momentum and how you can adapt them to your home for more a simplified food shopping experience.

Why They're Trending (and How It Works)

From decluttering trends to quick-cleaning tips, we all crave a little simplicity in our lives now and then—and this extends to grocery lists and shopping trips, too. With endless food options and impulse buys around every corner, many of us feel overwhelmed at the supermarket. A clear framework can help bring some calm while avoiding overbuying and food waste.

Whether you’ve stumbled upon the "5-4-3-2-1" grocery shopping method or the "6 to 1" method on social media, the idea behind either is similar. As Chef Will Coleman, the creator of the "6 to 1" method, says in his now-viral TikTok, "If you're new to the 6 to 1 method, it's super simple."

Limit your grocery list to:

• Six vegetables 
• Five fruits
• Four proteins 
• Three starches 
• Two sauces or spreads 
• One special treat

"This makes grocery shopping way easier, way cheaper, and you get in and out so you're not there all day long," Coleman explains.

The "5-4-3-2-1" grocery shopping method is another iteration of the concept, with grocery lists similarly limited by category (or store aisle): This might look like:

• Five vegetables
• Four fruits
• Three proteins
• Two sauces or spreads
• 1 grain and 1 special treat

Or 

• Five vegetables
• Four proteins
• Three fruits
• Two grains
• 1 special treat

The important thing to keep in mind is that the formula is not overly rigid. You don’t have to change your diet to refresh your grocery list—and budget. As it happens, you can create a grocery list that works for you and your family's eating habits, without feeling restrictive and allowing for modifications.

(Note: This shopping method may not work for everyone, including those with specialized diets or health requirements. You should always consult your medical provider before changing your diet.)

Tips for Making the "6 to 1" and "5-4-3-2-1-" Grocery Shopping Methods Work in Real Life

Ready to give it a try? Here's how to bring these trending methods to life.

Stay Flexible with Brand Choices

To make the most of this method, try to stay flexible with your brand selects. If milk is on sale, buy the knockout deal. Just stay within your the framework.

Use Your Freezer

If you find a protein or frozen produce deal, use your freezer to take advantage. This will give you a bit more flexibility in the future without busting your weekly buy limit.

Rotate Your Fresh Items

Keep a list of your favorite vegetable or fruit selections and rotate them frequently and seasonally. When one week features berries, the next might feature citrus. Variety keeps things exciting.

Make It a Real Treat

Don't forget your special treat! It should feel like a real treat—this part of the formula is vital, after all. It'll help prevent burnout and keep things joyful.

Example Shopping List Using the "6 to 1" Method

Your vegetable selection should offer plenty of versatility. Challenge yourself to get creative with how you prepare your weekly vegetables, too.

1. Spinach
2. Carrots
3. Brussels sprouts
4. Broccoli 
5. Garlic
6. Onion

Fresh produce offers texture, color, and nutrition.

1. Clementines
2. Bananas
3. Apples
4. Avocados
5. Frozen berries

Look for a few easy, go-to protein sources that you're comfortable preparing and can be incorporated into different meals.

1. Chicken breasts or thighs
   
2. Canned tuna or salmon
   
3. Dried beans
4. Tofu or eggs

The next category on your list can be filled with grains, starchy vegetables, or pantry items like boxed pastas.

1. Brown rice
2. Sourdough bread
3. Potatoes

For sauces and spreads, consider the meals you plan to prepare this week and the extra "cherry on top" they'll need to complete them.

1. Jam or fruit preserves
2. Jarred pasta sauce

Your special treat is up to you and your cravings! It might be:

• A bar of dark chocolate
• A bottle of prosecco
• A pint of ice cream