6 to What?

The 6-1 grocery method has been circulating social media for some time now, so I thought I would share what a dietitian thinks of this plan!

• First, what is the 6-1 grocery method? It is a grocery shopping method that includes picking 6 vegetables, 5 fruits, 4 proteins, 3 starches, 2 sauces/spreads, and 1 fun item.

• So, what would this look like? This could mean getting cucumbers, tomatoes, kale, spinach, carrots, beets, apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, bananas, turkey, ham, beans, greek yogurt, potatoes, pasta, frozen waffles, hummus, almond butter, and some chocolate ice cream! 

• Pros: this encourages moderation and getting items from all different kinds of food groups! Plus, if you find yourself stuck in a rut of meal planning, you can throw things together more spontaneously throughout the week, rather than being stuck with the same dish for 5 days. 

• Cons: it can be stressful to find things that you think will go together, and this may not be enough or the right kind of foods for everybody. Everyone needs different amounts of different nutrients, so this may need to be adjusted for your needs.

Conclusion: This is a great starting point for people who tend to get lost when it comes to grocery shopping or find themselves strictly following a meal plan that they don’t enjoy. While it includes a variety of foods and nutrients for most people, you will likely need to tailor it to fit you & your family’s needs. 

If you need help at the grocery store contact us for a grocery store tour! We can help you cut through the decision fatigue and feel confident shopping each week.

Written by Trinny Duncan, Student Intern and Peggy Pratt PhD, RD, LD, CEDS-C