I typically enjoy grocery shopping. I like seeing all the delicious ingredients I’m going to cook with later and I feel super productive knowing I’m about to have a fully stocked fridge. But going in with a plan is a must. If I head to the store with no meal plans & no list, it’s a recipe for disaster (pun intended, har-har).

Here are a few tips to help you build a better grocery list, making your trip to the store successful and efficient:

1. Research & prep before you go: Think about what recipes you’re going to make for the week ahead, check the ingredient list and mark everything down. Without recipes in mind you’ll likely end up with a cart full of ingredients but nothing to make.

2. Stay consistent: It’s best if you have a store that you go to on a regular basis. You’ll save time knowing the layout and where certain ingredients live. If you can, I’d suggest sticking to the same one or two grocery stores each week.

3. Get organized: You can do more than just jot down ingredients. My store of choice is the Upper West Side Trader Joe’s. It can be super hectic but if you go in with a detailed plan, it’s manageable. Because the store is two levels I always organize my grocery list by floor. Going up and down continuously for ingredients will make your trip way too long and stressful (this store in particular can be a mad-house, filled to the brim with shoppers). I start downstairs and once I finish that portion of my list, there is no way I’m going back.

4. Stick to your list: If you’re aiming for a healthy haul, strictly stick to your list, don’t even let yourself wander down the sweets aisle. The less you see, the less likely you are to slip that pint of ice cream into your cart. Sure, you  might see something worth adding, but try not to stray too far from your list. You’ll save calories and money.

Above is my list for tonight’s trip to the store. If you’re curious, I’m planning to make PaleOMG Crock Pot Pork Green Chili (although I may swap the pork for chicken or a leaner meat), PaleOMG Pizza Spaghetti Pie, various green smoothies and a breakfast fritata.