Tick tock, don't shop 'round the clock: This trick could make your grocery run a snap!
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Navigating the aisles of your local supermarket can sometimes feel like a daunting task, especially when you're trying to stick to a budget and eat healthily.
However, what if there was a simple method to streamline your grocery shopping, ensuring you get everything you need without the fuss or the waste?
Enter this new trick on social media, an online sensation that's changing the way many Australians approach their weekly shop.
The '6 to 1' method, pioneered by chef, TV personality, and social media content creator, Will Coleman, is a straightforward approach to grocery shopping that can help you save time, reduce food waste, and keep more money in your pocket.
The concept is simple: for each shopping trip, aim to pick up six types of vegetables, five types of fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces, and one 'fun' item.
‘You’re also reducing your food waste, because you aren’t buying random ingredients that you don’t really need,’ Coleman said.
As we face a global food shortage and a cost-of-living crisis that's hitting close to home here in Australia, Coleman's philosophy is more relevant than ever.
‘I was personally spending a lot of money on groceries, entertaining with friends, and creating content,’ Coleman explained, saying this method—originally posted by him in March 2022—changed his life.
According to Coleman, adopting this weekly approach enhances the efficiency and affordability of shopping, enabling individuals to incorporate greater variety, freshness, and direction into their menus.
Additionally, it assists in maintaining focus on your objectives, ensuring that you only purchase essential items for your cart, rather than being tempted by the flashy products strategically placed on supermarket end caps to encourage impulse buying.
Regardless of one’s shopping destination, this strategy aims to diversify everyone’s pantry essentials, and inject some excitement without feeling inundated by the myriad choices, potentially overspending. Quick trips for overlooked items are still permitted.
Coleman also explained that this method is not just for those who love to cook or have large families; the '6 to 1' method is adaptable for individuals or couples, too, saying one can scale the quantities up or down, depending on the household size, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth, author and mother of three, tested the '6 to 1' method, and found it to be effective.
‘There are so many benefits to including more diversity in your diet, from different types of produce to new grains, proteins, and even cooking oils,’ she said.
‘Switching up what we usually buy could help us consume more nutrients. Plus, being flexible with shopping is what we all need to do if we want to save money.’
She also appreciated the method's built-in flexibility, which allows for smart substitutions and cost-saving decisions without compromising on nutrition.
The emphasis on fruits and vegetables is particularly beneficial, as many of us struggle to include enough of these in our diets.
‘We all need to be eating more of those, so I like his priorities,’ Largeman-Roth remarked.
‘And you can definitely make several meals out of four proteins.’
She further emphasised that incorporating starches, sauces, and enjoyable foods can contribute to creating well-rounded meals, thereby preventing feelings of restriction, and reducing the temptation to order takeout.
However, this shopping style does require some planning.
Largeman-Roth said that regardless of the budget, nutrition goals, or household size, ‘You can’t just roll up to the grocery store without a plan and think that six veggies and four proteins are going to get you through the week.’
‘You have to think about whether you’re going to put your chicken breasts with asparagus, and whether you need tortillas for the turkey mince you just bought.’
‘Even a rough plan is important… with the right mix of products to create meals with,’ she added.
According to Coleman, before heading to the store, take stock of what you already have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, then plan your meals around your cravings or—if budget is a priority—look for sales, and then find recipes that use those discounted items.
He added that whether you're drawing inspiration from cookbooks, blogs, or Pinterest, having a rough plan is crucial.
If you're comfortable in the kitchen, Coleman said, ‘You can use all these ingredients to make spontaneous meals… pair them with items you already have in your pantry—try pasta, a casserole, soup.”
‘Or butternut squash and egg breakfast tacos with a fruit salad, shrimp and brussels sprout pasta with garlic olive oil sauce, and sliders with a side salad. And, of course, berry-topped brownies for dessert.’
For those seeking further guidance, Coleman has released an e-book with three weeks of grocery lists and recipes aligned with his '6 to 1' method.
‘This is designed to save you some brain power, and gets you cooking and eating more at home,’ he said.
‘Eventually, I want to do a game show where we put the 6-1 method to the test with families around the world.’
Aside from this method, you can also try this grocery trick by an Aussie mum where she made a common kitchen ingredient and more for less than $4!
Experts have also weighed in on some money-saving tips that have been trending on social media. Find out which ones they approve of here.
Are you willing to try this trick on your next grocery trip? Do you have other tips for grocery shopping? Share and discuss in the comments below!
However, what if there was a simple method to streamline your grocery shopping, ensuring you get everything you need without the fuss or the waste?
Enter this new trick on social media, an online sensation that's changing the way many Australians approach their weekly shop.
The '6 to 1' method, pioneered by chef, TV personality, and social media content creator, Will Coleman, is a straightforward approach to grocery shopping that can help you save time, reduce food waste, and keep more money in your pocket.
The concept is simple: for each shopping trip, aim to pick up six types of vegetables, five types of fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces, and one 'fun' item.
‘You’re also reducing your food waste, because you aren’t buying random ingredients that you don’t really need,’ Coleman said.
As we face a global food shortage and a cost-of-living crisis that's hitting close to home here in Australia, Coleman's philosophy is more relevant than ever.
Will Coleman shared his ‘6 to 1’ grocery shopping method on social media. Credits: Shutterstock
‘I was personally spending a lot of money on groceries, entertaining with friends, and creating content,’ Coleman explained, saying this method—originally posted by him in March 2022—changed his life.
According to Coleman, adopting this weekly approach enhances the efficiency and affordability of shopping, enabling individuals to incorporate greater variety, freshness, and direction into their menus.
Additionally, it assists in maintaining focus on your objectives, ensuring that you only purchase essential items for your cart, rather than being tempted by the flashy products strategically placed on supermarket end caps to encourage impulse buying.
Regardless of one’s shopping destination, this strategy aims to diversify everyone’s pantry essentials, and inject some excitement without feeling inundated by the myriad choices, potentially overspending. Quick trips for overlooked items are still permitted.
Coleman also explained that this method is not just for those who love to cook or have large families; the '6 to 1' method is adaptable for individuals or couples, too, saying one can scale the quantities up or down, depending on the household size, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth, author and mother of three, tested the '6 to 1' method, and found it to be effective.
‘There are so many benefits to including more diversity in your diet, from different types of produce to new grains, proteins, and even cooking oils,’ she said.
‘Switching up what we usually buy could help us consume more nutrients. Plus, being flexible with shopping is what we all need to do if we want to save money.’
She also appreciated the method's built-in flexibility, which allows for smart substitutions and cost-saving decisions without compromising on nutrition.
The emphasis on fruits and vegetables is particularly beneficial, as many of us struggle to include enough of these in our diets.
‘We all need to be eating more of those, so I like his priorities,’ Largeman-Roth remarked.
‘And you can definitely make several meals out of four proteins.’
She further emphasised that incorporating starches, sauces, and enjoyable foods can contribute to creating well-rounded meals, thereby preventing feelings of restriction, and reducing the temptation to order takeout.
However, this shopping style does require some planning.
Largeman-Roth said that regardless of the budget, nutrition goals, or household size, ‘You can’t just roll up to the grocery store without a plan and think that six veggies and four proteins are going to get you through the week.’
‘You have to think about whether you’re going to put your chicken breasts with asparagus, and whether you need tortillas for the turkey mince you just bought.’
‘Even a rough plan is important… with the right mix of products to create meals with,’ she added.
According to Coleman, before heading to the store, take stock of what you already have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, then plan your meals around your cravings or—if budget is a priority—look for sales, and then find recipes that use those discounted items.
He added that whether you're drawing inspiration from cookbooks, blogs, or Pinterest, having a rough plan is crucial.
If you're comfortable in the kitchen, Coleman said, ‘You can use all these ingredients to make spontaneous meals… pair them with items you already have in your pantry—try pasta, a casserole, soup.”
‘Or butternut squash and egg breakfast tacos with a fruit salad, shrimp and brussels sprout pasta with garlic olive oil sauce, and sliders with a side salad. And, of course, berry-topped brownies for dessert.’
For those seeking further guidance, Coleman has released an e-book with three weeks of grocery lists and recipes aligned with his '6 to 1' method.
‘This is designed to save you some brain power, and gets you cooking and eating more at home,’ he said.
‘Eventually, I want to do a game show where we put the 6-1 method to the test with families around the world.’
Aside from this method, you can also try this grocery trick by an Aussie mum where she made a common kitchen ingredient and more for less than $4!
Experts have also weighed in on some money-saving tips that have been trending on social media. Find out which ones they approve of here.
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