Printable Grocery List Templates

How to Make a Grocery List

Follow the steps below to create a helpful and reliable grocery list.

• Step One – Determine Goal
• Step Two – Select a Template
• Step Three – Check the Pantry
• Step Four – Bring List to Grocery Store
• Step Five – Safely Store Grocery List

Step One – Determine Goal

When making and organizing a grocery list, consider the overall reason for the shopping trip. For example, you may want to plan meals for the week, purchase foods for a new diet plan, or stock up on pantry staples. However, you might also have another personal motive for making a list. Regardless, understanding the primary purpose of the grocery list can help you choose the most appropriate template. 

Step Two – Select a Template

Grocery list templates have many different organizational structures and designs. Choosing a format that best suits the list’s purpose is vital. For instance, an individual might sort the list based on the grocery aisle layout. Another person might find it more helpful to sort the list by their daily meals (along with the necessary ingredients) for the week. Other templates have a checklist format with typical foods in a category, such as vegetables, refrigerated items, baking needs, and similar groups.

Step Three – Check the Pantry

After choosing the proper template, check the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for items currently on hand. This process ensures that you do not purchase an item if you already have it. Similarly, it helps identify low or empty staples, such as butter, milk, eggs, or flour.

Step Four – Bring List to Grocery Store

With the grocery list template filled out and in hand, head to the grocery store. Use the list while shopping to cross off items as you pick them up. This step prevents impulse buying – negatively impacting both a diet and budget.

Step Five – Safely Store Grocery List

Instead of throwing away the grocery list, consider keeping it on file to reference in the future. Organizing and storing the list helps identify shopping and eating trends. Those who follow a strict grocery budget might keep the receipt(s), along with the list, to determine how they might cut costs moving forward. Lastly, holding onto the template makes it possible to re-use or skim through it when creating a new list.

Sample Bodybuilding Grocery Lists

A bodybuilding grocery list focuses on meats, dairy, starchy vegetables, and bulk protein powder to help build and maintain muscle. This eating plan is stricter than most, as the individual must have certain foods at specific times during the day. Therefore, bodybuilders should choose a template that suggests realistic options, rather than foods they cannot have, such as alcohol, added sugar, or fried foods.

Healthy Grocery List Examples

Since healthy eating habits differ from person to person, various grocery list formats exist. Individuals can create their own plans or follow suggestions from another person when incorporating mindful foods into their diet. The Mediterranean, Paleolithic, and Ketogenic diets, for example, are popular diets that allow and restrict certain food items.

Moreover, a Mediterranean diet promotes healthy fats, seasonal vegetables, and a variety of whole grains and fish. It does not allow processed red meats, refined grains, or butter. In this case, a list helps to keep this information organized to ensure that the shopper purchases the right foods.

Types of Grocery Lists

The type of grocery list needed depends on the goal of the list. Athletes training for their next marathon might opt for a list highlighting their macronutrients (i.e., complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and lean proteins). However, busy parents juggling numerous responsibilities may choose a simple checklist to create quick and easy meals throughout the week. To download the most helpful list for your needs, consider your eating goals and time commitment to shopping or making meals.

• Healthy Eating
• College Students
• Weight Loss
• Budgeting

Healthy Eating

This list focuses on well-balanced meals, such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, dairy, fish, meat, and poultry. These foods promote heart and digestive health, weight maintenance, immunity, bone strength, and quality sleep. They may also have other health benefits that make them a preferred choice. For example, the foods can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of developing diabetes and some cancers. 

College Students

The needs of college students vary. A first-year student living in a dorm with limited kitchen space may resort to quick-cook or microwave meals. This grocery list can feature a checklist of common college-friendly foods, such as rice and pasta meals, frozen dishes, and microwave soup.  

On the other hand, a college senior may have their own apartment and a larger budget but still need easy and convenient meals. A grocery list that focuses on weekly meals that share ingredients can assist in smart shopping and better cooking. 

Weight Loss

When losing weight, consider finding the right foods and sticking to a diet. Grocery lists help you shop for healthy ingredients and follow a set routine. Templates also allow you to add variety to your meals through planning. Similarly, you can include “fun” or new foods in your list to keep your choices exciting.

Budgeting

Cutting back on grocery spending helps you increase your savings or use money in other areas. Creating a budget does not mean you have to cut back on meals or your favorite foods. However, it does mean that you are more aware of prices and take advantage of grocery store discounts.

More specifically, grocery store lists help you plan for weekly deals and choose items that keep costs low. Without a list, shoppers can find it challenging to stick to cheaper options or avoid impulse buying. Therefore, utilizing a budgeting chart and planning skills decreases overall spending.

College Student Grocery Lists

Preparing and eating meals at home not only provide healthier options, but it also tends to be more affordable and convenient. Since college students have restrictions based on their kitchen equipment, they aim for minimal cooking requirements. In addition, most students do not work or have part-time jobs while attending university. Therefore, they typically opt for less expensive grocery items when compared to the average grocery shopper.

Weight Loss Grocery Lists

An individual can download a pre-filled grocery list with healthy items or use a fillable template to include meals of their choosing. The list typically has categories like vegetables, fruits, dairy, or oils, as well as foods you can or cannot eat while following a specific diet plan.

For instance, ketogenic weight loss grocery lists promote animal proteins, nuts, and dairy but restrict refined sugars, starchy vegetables, and high-sugar fruits. On the other hand, a paleolithic diet grocery list includes whole foods (e.g., meats, vegetables, nuts, and seeds). However, it bans processed items, grains, and artificial sweeteners.

Tips for Grocery Budgeting

The average household spends between $355 – $415 per month on groceries. The cost can vary, depending on many factors: buying habits, food prices, or use of sales or coupons. Read below for tips to reduce the monthly grocery bill and maximize savings.

• Establish a Budget
• Shop in Bulk
• Head to the Farmer’s Market
• Look for Deals

Establish a Budget

Take a look at a recent grocery shopping receipt to determine the expected price per item and the relative total bill. Incorporating this information into a grocery list will help determine how much to spend – and what to cut out if it goes over budget. A Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets budget template can automatically calculate the total cost, saving you both time and money.

Shop in Bulk

Every household goes through cycles for needing essential items. Shopping at bulk stores such as Costco or Sam’s Club can save money when it comes time to replenish paper goods, flour, or pasta. Using a grocery list for this kind of shopping also reduces the chance of impulse buying. It can be tempting to buy the 500-piece assorted candy mix, but it is probably not very budget-conscious.

Head to the Farmer’s Market

On average, local farmer’s markets sell fruits and vegetables for a lower price than the grocery store. The produce is often organic and fresher than the grocery store as an added benefit. Although prices vary based on location and the season, it is worthwhile to check your local market to save.

Look for Deals

To lower your final bill at the checkout counter, read through your grocery store’s weekly flier to add sale items to your list. Start a conversation with your cashier or staff at the customer service desk to see if the grocery store offers free discount cards, as this method can help you save, as well.

Shoppers can save money by buying their non-perishables in bulk online. For example, taking advantage of sites (like Amazon) can benefit your wallet and prevent you from taking an extra trip to the store. When buying groceries online, search for coupons or sales that you can add to your purchase to save additional money.

Budget Grocery Lists

Budget grocery lists make shopping easy and less costly. Having an idea of each item’s cost and the total grocery bill will reduce shock at the checkout counter – and the temptation to overspend. 

Key Takeaways

Whether you follow a diet, use a meal plan, or have a grocery budget, preparing a grocery list before the shopping trip ensures a hassle-free experience. Download or print a template to build a grocery list geared towards your specific needs. Change the template as needed or choose a new list each week to keep motivation flowing. Furthermore, bring inspiration to your meal plan or list by researching foods that will best fit into your routine. Overall, the goal is to enjoy the process of making and using a grocery list template.

Editable Grocery List Templates