Grocery Shopping List

rae_mayer

I'm getting a bit tired of the same old food choices... so I was curious what are your go-to grocery shopping items? It can be anything really. I'm just trying to get some new ideas and maybe new foods to try.

Example:
My go to items are (in no particular order)-
- Chicken
- Bananas
- Emerald Nuts 100 calorie packs
- Skim milk
- Eggs
- Wheat bread
etc.

What do you go shopping for regularly?

marycmeadows

spaghetti squash
eggplant
mushrooms
onion
spinach (flat leaf - for salads)
pistachios
ff ranch
granny smith apples
frozen mixed berries
greek yogurt
ground turkey
egg whites
salsa
tortillas (for wraps)
romaine
frozen veggies (california blend, zucchini, corn, stir fry blends)
salmon
vita tops

goodfido

You might not have to change your shopping list, it's amazing what some good spices will do to change the flavor of the regular items you eat. I'm a huge fan of Penzey's spices, when I go there I'm like a kid in a candy store. If you don't have one locally you can order online.

NeuroticVirgo

Hmm.....
Apples (I almost ALWAYS have apples in my house)
Skim Milk
Natures Own 50 Calorie Bread (they also have 40 calorie bread).
Corn Tortillas
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Lettuce
Eggs
Shredded Cheese
Tuna
Chicken
Ground Beef
Tilapia Fillets

A LOT...I mean A LOT...of steamable veggie bags / pastas etc. (pastas I try to get the lowest calorie/ lowest sodium ones) I try to get them when they are on sale...but when looked at cent per ounce, they were only a few cents more than regular frozen veggies...so I buy them. It takes a lot of pressure off me during the day, I can throw a piece of chicken and a steamer bag in the microwave and wa-la LUNCH.

tmm01

Mine is pretty similar each week.

To spice mine up I add
Maggi So juicy for Chicken - transforms a bland chicken breast.
Sainsburys Hoi Sin Soup - makes a lovely lunch (300cals)
Basics incl:
carrots, onion, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, salad veg. Load of veg really. Sometimes add sweet potatoes and butternut squash for variety.
Always keep in chicken strips and lean mince beef, for a quick and easy meal.
Brown rice and wholewheat pasta are also staples.
Tins of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups - add to a meal to make a low cal sauce.

marie_2454

Chobani Greek yogurt, feta cheese, spinach, edamame, egg beaters, coffee, and vita top muffins are things I am never without...

rae_mayer

Thanks for the suggestions!

My biggest problem is I'm single and I hate cooking large meals and eating leftovers. I tend to gravitate toward the quick-and-easy which also tends to not be as good for you.

I'm also trying to get more vegetables in my diet, but aside from raw or steamed I don't really know what to do with them.

stephl21uk

i love vegtable stir fry, i throw anything and everything in mine! i also make homemade vegtable curry....i add potatos, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, courgette and aubergine, mushrooms and onions xx

both are very easy to make 1 portion.....my family wont eat what i eat so i always make 1 small portion for me!

Melysa1988

greek yogurt
oatmeal
special k
eggs
whole wheat wrap
lean meat
brown rice
pregresso light soup
tons of produce

nickscutie

apples
baby carrots
bananas
yogurt
rotisserie chicken for breakfast/lunch sandwiches
part skim cheese sticks
tzatziki sauce
pepperidge farm whole wheat cinnamon raisin swirl bread
chunky natural peanut butter
mini 100 calorie bags of popcorn
dried fruit and nuts to make my own trail mixes

In my freezer I always have vitatops and frozen kashi or vans waffles

For veggies, recently i have been buying broccoli or broccolini, toss with a teaspoon or two of oil, and grill the stalks in a non stick pan, halving a lemon and grilling that with the broccoli. Then I salt and pepper the broccoli and squeeze the grilled lemon juice on it - simple, delicious and low cal.

nickscutie

This is also really tasty and is a nice change from my normal steaming of veggies:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/creamy_mashed_cauliflower.html

aehartley

Asparagus
Chicken
Talipia
Sweet Potatoe
Low sodium rice cakes
steel cut oats
fruit
Egg whites
99% fat free ground turkey

OnWisconsin84

Greek yogurt (Fage 0% plain)
Frozen fruit (for yogurt)
Raw almonds
Eggs
Bananas
Brown rice
Frozen veggies
Hummus
Baby carrots
Celery

charliesmagic

Bump for ideas

blink1021

brown rice
skim milk
yogurt
cheese
almonds
almond butter
ground turkey
turkey/chicken sausage
tilapia
lettuce
cherry tomatoes
broccoli
eggs

Dayna154

Try eating new veggies and try baking them.. Totally changes the flavor and some things I wouldnt eat raw or steamed I love to eat baked.
Little bit of olive oil and some seasonings and bake 350 time depends on density of vegtable

jellybeanhed313

fresh spinach
zucchini
apples
bean sprouts
broccoli
bell peppers
onions
garlic
fresh herbs
milk
lean ground beef
chicken breast
pork tenderloin
filet mignon
tilapia
salmon
a varity of cheeses
eggs
greek yogurt
whole grain pasta & bread

kaetmarie

Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
Natural Peanut Butter
Whey Protein Powder (vanilla and chocolate)
Spring Mix, Spinach, Romaine Hearts, Butter Crunch Lettuce (one of these...)
Mushrooms
Greek Yogurt
Eggs
Chicken Breast
Ground Turkey
Sargento Light String Cheese!!!!!

katyconser

well, my go-to snacks are:

apples and almond butter
pistachios
trader joe's falafel chips and spicy hummus
greek yogurts (fat free, all types of flavors)

for meals i have been on a real quinoa kick, always have spinach in the house cuz it goes in ANYTHING, and lots of veggies! i buy whatever veggies are on sale and figure out delicious and healthy ways to cook em up later

jellybeanhed313

Thanks for the suggestions!

My biggest problem is I'm single and I hate cooking large meals and eating leftovers. I tend to gravitate toward the quick-and-easy which also tends to not be as good for you.

I'm also trying to get more vegetables in my diet, but aside from raw or steamed I don't really know what to do with them.

When you make large meals, portion them out into plastic containers and freeze for later. Some things don't freeze well, but most things do. I do this all the time for quick grab & go lunches or when I don't feel like cooking.

sbourden

lots of fruits! i am usually on the go, so i like to pick up fruit cups. i get the ones in 100% juice. also, i really love mott's healthy harvest applesauce. i like the strawberry apple flavor, but there a few other flavors that are also tasty!

i also get yogurt. i like the dannon light and fit ones, they have only 80 calories, whereas the light yoplait usually has 100-110 calories. these are really great for when you get a craving for something sweet. i will sometimes put some granola or crushed up cereal in it too. you can make a great fruit and yogurt parfait with some fresh strawberries and/or bananas, vanilla yogurt, and a little granola on top.

one thing that i REALLY love to get is propel water. i have trouble drinking all my water for the day....i'm a former pepsi addict.... lol. the propel had just enough flavor in it. there are also some grocery stores that carry what me and my friend call "fizzy water." i believe you can find it at wal-mart, it's called "quenchers." if you like sprite, then the fizzy water has a lemon lime flavor that is pretty good, but no calories in it!

these are just a few of my favorites

mamagooskie

almond milk (unsweetened chocolate and vanilla)
mangos
strawberries
pineapple
salad (and various dressings)
protein bars
rice crackers
hummus
beets
tofu
high protein, high fiber pitas (use these for EVERYTHING......from breakfast foods, sandwiches to pizza crust)
non dairy cheese
bell peppers (usually red, orange, yellow)
cucumber
tomatoes
sweet potatoes
eggplant
zuchini
mushrooms (fresh)
squash (butternut and spaghetti)
onions
beans and lentils (canned mostly for convenience)
grains (rice, quinoa, millet, cous cous and any other that I want at the time)
canned veggies (mushrooms, corn and peas)
pasta (various shapes most often spaghetti, rotini and shells)

I have tons of other staples as well but too many to list......I make all sorts of meals from the same ingredients but change it up and add different things. I feel like I almost never eat the exact same meal twice.

rdmchugh

Cooking for one or even just two can be a challenge. You can spend one day a month cooking like mad, fill the freezer, then spend the rest of the month in grab and go mode and still have lots of variety. Some good once a month cooking web sites are:

http://www.30mealsinoneday.com/?gclid=CJbBpf231a4CFYSc7Qodzx77ew
http://organizedhome.com/freezer-cooking/guide-once-a-month-cooking
http://onceamonthmom.com/
http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/how-to-plan-bulk-cooking.html
And my favorite:
http://www.30daygourmet.com/FreezerCooking.aspx

doonesbury

Produce
Tuna
Salmon
Whole grain bread
Brown rice (some boxed dinners are great)
Vitamin Water Zero (for on the go)
Rice cakes
Zone bars (or equivalent)
Diet friendly popcorn
Olive Oil
Agave Nectar
Honey
Green tea
Skim milk
Pretzels
Protein powder
Did I mention produce?!

alwaysme89

I would say to just think of really looking into different spices, it can make a huge different when it comes to your meat or veggies. Salsa is also a great addition to change up the flavor. Hope this helps :0)

kleighsamboer

tilapia
romaine
avocados
yams/sweet potatoes
tomatoes
ezekiel bread
apples
dark chocolate-above 70%
collard greens
celery
almond butter
dried fruit
raw goat cheese
muir glen pasta sauce
shredded broccoli and carrots

KyliAnnHobson

Chicken breasts
Lean ground turkey
Canned tuna
Frozen veggies
Edamame
Garlic
Onions
Green peppers
Mushrooms
Cilantro
Frozen fruit
Apples
Greek yogurt
Cottage cheese
Shredded cheese
Cheese sticks (I love cheese!)
Aunt Millie's 35 calories/slice bread
Natural peanut butter
Tortillas
Salsa
Beans
Cheerios (the dulce de leche flavor is delish!)
Eggs
Almonds
Kashi granola bars
Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches
Jell-o pudding cups
Mrs Dash spices
Healthy Choice meals for lazy days!

robertthesnail

Bag of bagels (6 bagels)
Package of cream cheese
Package of pita bread (10 pitas)
Hummus (16 ounces)
6 kroger carbmaster yogurts

That covers my breakfasts and lunches generally, dinner varies depending on what I feel like eating that week, or my mom will give me foods that she cooks like soup and black beans that I'll combine with rice from the rice cooker. It's hard to diet as a poor college student!

Moriarty_697

My holy trinity for grocery shopping are onions, red peppers and mushrooms. I'm a single guy so pretty much everything I do for dinner revolves around protein done on a George Foreman grill, a little bit of rice and the holy trinity sauteed in a teaspoon or two of olive olive with lots of black pepper and a little salt. Quick, simple and tasty. I'm also big on fresh fruit and occasional batches of cut up carrots and radishes.

When I'm being bad, I'll keep some popcorn kernels and canola oil on hand because popcorn done on a stove top tastes far better than anything you can pop in a bag.

invisibubble

My regulars are:
semi milk
wholegrain seeded bread
lean ham slices
chicken breasts
pork loin
beef steak
5% or less fat beef mince
tinned tuna
cod/hake/pollock fillets
venison
broccoli
carrots
baby potatoes
broad beans
petit pois
sweetcorn
2% natural yogurt
blueberries
strawberries
oats
baked beans
lettuce
cucumber
beansprouts
eggs
mushrooms
less than 5% fat oven chips (or fries if you're American)
soya milk
green tea
protein powder
onions
powerade zero
sugar free squash
fun-size candy (no, not for portion control - I like tiny versions of EVERYTHING lol)
low fat nibbles like pretzels or cracker bites
low fat/calorie cooking spray
flour
Flora Cuisine (for baking, I love baking)
Soooo much cereal (whole grain)
Scampi and prawns

...as you can see, i get bored of food quite quickly and keep a diverse stock. That's all I can think of from my usual list for now.

Edit: Ice cream, how could I forget you, icy temptress?

smplycomplicated

Staples on my list.

Chicken breasts
Pork loin
90/10 ground sirloin
ground turkey (not as often as i would like, but i'm slowly but surely converting the Hub's.)
greek yogurt
oatmeal
whole wheat pasta
squash (any kind..depending on what looks good that day)
greens
grapefruits
apples
kiwis
cuties
bananas
organic petite sweet baby carrots
grape tomatoes
frozen fruit for smoothies (strawberries,raspberries,blueberries,peaches)
cottage cheese
skim milk

everything else either depends on the sales and what i have coupons for.