I Tried the "6 to 1" Method and I've Never Dreaded Grocery Shopping Less (2024)

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Meg Asby

Meg Asby

Meg Asby is a writer based in Portland, Oregon. When she's not at her desk, she's likely trying the latest baking trend or hiking to a waterfall with her family.

published Jan 17, 2024

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I Tried the "6 to 1" Method and I've Never Dreaded Grocery Shopping Less (1)

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No one is more shocked by my adult-onset frugality than my parents. There were exactly zero childhood signs that I would one day stick to a budget, thrift everything, and even cut coupons. Expert saver that I (now) am, I’m rarely surprised by a new way to save money, but when I saw a recent TikTok about the 6 to 1 grocery shopping method, it stopped me in my tracks.

Quick Overview

6 to 1 Grocery Shopping Method

In Chef Will Coleman’s 6 to 1 grocery shopping method, shoppers purchase six vegetables, five fruits, four protein sources, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one item just for fun. This system simplifies shopping, reduces waste, and saves money.

What Is the 6 to 1 Grocery Shopping Method?

Chef Will Coleman (@chefwillco) is the creator of the 6 to 1 grocery shopping method. In the TikTok viewed over 900,000 times, Coleman explains, “We’re all trying to save money this year, and my 6 to 1 grocery shopping method … is super, super simple … you grab six veggies, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one fun thing for yourself.”

The viral video offers a simplified alternative to the traditional ways to reduce grocery bills, such as menu planning, sticking to the list, coupon cutting, sale shopping, and/or eating at your parents’ house (just me?).

How to Shop, the 6 to 1 Way

I arrived at Trader Joe’s with no list, and rolled into the produce section to choose six veggies. This sounds like a lot — “You lost me at 6 veggies,” one commenter says — but it goes fast. Once I included garlic and onion, I was down to four vegetables, and because this trip is meant to last a week, that felt reasonable to me. I chose Trader Joe’s Southwest Chopped Salad for something easy, plus mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, and snacking peppers. Yes, peppers are technically a fruit, but I decided this wasn’t a botany exam.

Next up, I chose five fruits, beginning with bananas, lemons, and avocados. I also grabbed grape tomatoes and some frozen raspberries (yes, frozen and canned foods count). I had olive oil on hand, but I totally would have snuck it into this category if I needed it.

I admit to some angst about the four proteins. I needed milk, but did that count? Should I get dried beans or just nuts since that’s easier? In the end I left with bacon, tofu, cashews, and frozen shrimp.

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For my three starches, I grabbed cereal for my kids, pappardelle pasta, and jasmine rice. This way, I knew I could, at the very least, create a rice bowl out of my random selections.

I tried two sauces that were new to me: Trader Joe’s Bruschetta Sauce and Crunchy Chili Onion Oil. You’re not likely to have space in the list to purchase the building blocks to make your own sauces and spreads, so I’d say this step is pretty important.

Choosing one fun thing was hard, but buying only a single treat made it feel extra special, too. I picked “crew fave” Pecan Kringle, and it tasted like a fancy Pop-Tart; it was nostalgic and delicious.

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Why the 6 to 1 Method Is a Game-Changer

It saves money (without sacrificing fresh foods).

I almost never leave Trader Joe’s without spending $150, but my total on this trip was only $87.63. For a cart full of fresh produce and protein, I’d say that’s pretty incredible. I used to save money by eating pancakes the last week of the month when funds were almost exhausted, but never again.

It eliminates food waste.

Limiting the number of items in my cart does two things: I don’t overbuy on produce and I actually use the fruits and vegetables during the week because that’s the bulk of what I bought. I can’t say, “Let’s just toast bagels for dinner,” because I didn’t buy any.

It limits mental labor.

There’s no list to make or menus to plan. I buy what looks good in the store, and at home I simply search, “recipe with pasta, mushrooms, and bacon.” Boom: Dinner plans done.

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It simplifies the math.

Counting items is much easier than adding prices, and I still saved money — in fact, I saved more than usual.

It’s fun and fast.

The 6 to 1 method gamifies shopping. I love choosing what to keep instead of trying to resist impulse purchases. It’s also fast. I was in and out of the store in a half hour, which never happens.

You can make it your own.

The 6 to 1 method is totally customizable. For my family, I definitely need to add a dairy and beverage category. For a large household, simply adjust it to buy more of each item to feed more people.

Keep in mind that this is a way to save money by limiting the number of groceries you buy. If you don’t need to limit your purchases right now, then feel free to fill your cart to bursting with these Apartment Therapy favorites.

But if you want to simplify shopping, reduce waste, and spend less (time and money), then this method is definitely worth a try. As Coleman says in the video, “This makes grocery shopping way easier, way … cheaper, and you get in and out so you’re not there all day long.”

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I Tried the "6 to 1" Method and I've Never Dreaded Grocery Shopping Less (2024)

FAQs

What is the 6 to 1 grocery shopping rule? ›

The 6-to-1 grocery method is an approach to cooking that involves picking six vegetables, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one fun item. The purpose is to streamline your shopping experience, promote variety, eliminate food waste, and keep grocery costs lower.

What is the 6 1 grocery strategy? ›

Here's the system: Fill your grocery cart with six vegetables, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one "fun" item for yourself. It's a countdown of 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, prioritizing nutritious ingredients without depriving yourself of a little treat.

What is the 6 to 1 food plan? ›

The 6-to-1 grocery method instructs shoppers to buy six veggies, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces and one fun item. Coleman says, “Anyone can use this method, anywhere, at any time.” He advises choosing foods that are on sale, in season and versatile.

What is the 3 in 1 grocery shopping method? ›

We set up a “3 in 1” shopping schedule, consisting of three separate grocery runs on average each week — one larger shop, where my husband or I (or both!) pick up groceries for the first half of the week, and one or two small- to medium-sized shops to fill in what we need for the remainder of our meals.

What is the 5 4 3 2 1 shopping list? ›

How To Use the 5-4-3-2-1 Method
  • Vegetables: spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and carrots.
  • Fruit: grapes, apples, bananas, and oranges.
  • Protein: chicken breasts, ground beef, and shrimp.
  • Sauce/spread: marinara sauce and peanut butter.
  • Grain: bread.
  • Treat: potato chips.
Jan 14, 2024

How much money do you save buying groceries vs eating out? ›

Facts & Findings. Americans save around $12 by opting to cook and eat at home, with the average home meal costing $4.23 versus over $16 per meal at an inexpensive restaurant. Annually, it costs over $13,000 more to eat out than it costs to prepare the same amount of food at home.

What is the 6 to 1 diet plan? ›

In my 6/1 Plan, I tell you exactly what to eat for the first 6 days and then allow you a “diet break” on the 7th day. All you have to do is choose the correct weight category. Eat the meals laid out in the prescriptive programme, stick to the right amounts, and you will drop body fat.

What is a good strategy to spend less on groceries? ›

Plan Your Meals and Make a List. One of the most effective ways to save money on groceries is to plan your meals for the week. By knowing what you need in advance, you can avoid impulse purchases and reduce food waste. Write down all the ingredients required for your meals and stick to this list when you shop.

What is the 6 to 1 grocery method for families? ›

The 6-to-1 grocery method entails buying six vegetables, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads and one treat. Continue to shop carefully while at the store to get the best deals. Flexibility with your purchases will be a key to making this method a success.

Is there a 6 1 diet? ›

6:1 fasting: This pattern is similar to the 5:2, but there's only 1 day of reduced calorie intake instead of 2 days. “Eat Stop Eat”: A 24-hour complete fast one to two times per week. 16:8 fasting: This pattern involves only consuming food in an 8-hour window and fasting for 16 hours a day, every day of the week.

Is it better to eat 5 6 small meals a day instead of eating 1 big meal at night? ›

However, research has found that a smaller dinner and larger lunch could be the key to helping you shift those weight. Even if you have a really healthy diet, eating your biggest meal in the evening is not the best option, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

What are level 6 foods? ›

What is a level six soft and bite sized diet?
  • soft, tender and moist with no thin liquid leaking or dripping from the food.
  • able to be eaten without needing to 'bite off' a piece.
  • chewable 'bite sized' pieces, so they are safe to swallow.
  • able to be mashed or broken down with pressure from a fork.
Nov 8, 2022

What is the 6 1 rule for grocery shopping? ›

In Chef Will Coleman's 6 to 1 grocery shopping method, shoppers purchase six vegetables, five fruits, four protein sources, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one item just for fun. This system simplifies shopping, reduces waste, and saves money.

What is the 5 4 3-2-1 grocery shopping method? ›

The 5-4-3-2-1 grocery shopping method is a method designed to make life easier and cooking simpler. It involves keeping things simple and using similar ingredients for multiple dishes, and preparing one recipe for each meal of the day to minimize food waste.

How long can you go without buying groceries? ›

Most people can survive on the contents of their fridge, freezer and pantry for one week. It will take some creativity and probably a couple boring meals, but you can make it.

What is the 5 4 3 2 1 shopping method? ›

that's supposed to be a kind of catch all. way of saving money on groceries. And take out some of the struggle of what to buy. You pick out six vegetables, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces, and one fun item for yourself.

What is the 6 to 1 rule? ›

You might have heard of the 6:1 rule. The gist of this rule is that for every six preventive maintenance tasks you do, you should find one corrective task. If you end up doing more PMs for each corrective task, you're doing too much PM. If you have more corrective tasks, you're doing too little.

What is the average grocery bill for 6 people? ›

For reference, a family of six typically spends anywhere from $1126 to $1546 per month on food and approximately $1,200 per month on other necessities, such as cleaning supplies.

What is the 3 2 1 food rule? ›

The 3-2-1 meal plan is a simple approach to healthy eating that involves dividing your plate into three sections: one section for fruits and vegetables, one section for lean protein, and one section for whole grains or starchy vegetables.

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