Grocery shopping has become a bigger challenge for many households, with rising food prices and busy schedules making meal planning feel more complicated than it needs to be. People online have been sharing simple strategies designed to make shopping and cooking easier, and one method in particular is getting a lot of attention.
The method
Recently on TODAY Food, a new grocery shopping strategy known as the 5-to-1 method was discussed. The simple formula has been gaining traction on TikTok, where many people say it takes the stress out of meal planning and grocery shopping.
Chef Will Coleman appeared on the show to explain the idea, introduce his new cookbook, "From Cart to Kitchen," and share how the concept first came together.
Coleman said his love of cooking and entertaining always begins at the grocery store, but he realized his shopping habits were not always efficient. "I was shopping with my eyes first, spending way too much money at the grocery store. A lot of food was going to waste." Wanting a better system to save both time and money, he developed what he now calls the 5-to-1 grocery method.
The structure is intentionally simple. People pick up five vegetables, four proteins, three fruits, two starches, and one fun item. The idea is to create a flexible mix of ingredients that can easily be combined into multiple meals throughout the week.
This flexibility allows people to build meals around what they already have rather than feeling locked into a plan. It's like having your own set of grocery shopping hacks that isn't complicated or hard to remember.
"Veggies are going to lead our meals here," Coleman explained while showing a selection of peppers and other fresh produce.
For his “fun item,” Coleman chose a wedge of Parmesan cheese. It is something that can easily be added to several dishes, bringing extra flavor while also boosting protein.
The goal, he said, is to keep grocery trips focused and intentional. "In and out the store," he said. "We're getting ingredients we can actually use, and not just shopping for random stuff."
The approach also leans heavily toward whole foods. During the segment, it was noted that the method avoids heavily processed items. "We are prioritizing whole ingredients." Snacks are not completely off the table, however. If someone wants a treat, that can simply become the one “fun item” in the formula.
Using ingredients from a single 5-to-1 grocery trip, Coleman demonstrated how they can be turned into several meals over multiple days. He prepared mini breakfast frittatas for breakfast, potato and chicken soup for lunch, and a sheet pan salmon dinner.
According to Coleman, the ingredients gathered through the method can typically last 3 to 5 days, depending on how they are used and portioned.
He also clarified that pantry staples such as spices and condiments are not included in the formula. Those items are assumed to already be stocked at home and used as needed when preparing meals.
When asked whether the method is available online, Coleman directed viewers to his cookbook, where the system is explained in more detail. The book includes a 10-week meal guide and 60 recipes designed around the same grocery strategy.
"So you open the book, choose a week, get your list, and make your meals."
People online were quick to try the new method, and many shared their shopping online.
@thetoted gives a peek inside her Aldi shopping using the 5-to -1 method in action.
@8mystique also keeps it simple by loading her cart and following the method.
Why this matters
The popularity of the 5-to-1 grocery method highlights a broader shift in how many people approach cooking and grocery shopping. With food prices still top of mind for many, people are looking for ways to simplify their routines while reducing waste and unnecessary spending.
Traditional meal planning can feel overwhelming. It often requires choosing several recipes in advance and hoping everything actually gets used before it spoils. Methods like the 5-to-1 approach flip that process by focusing on a balanced mix of ingredients instead of strict recipes.
The approach also reflects a broader interest in cooking with whole ingredients. Many people are trying to rely less on packaged foods and more on simple items that can be used across multiple meals. By prioritizing the various food groups, the method naturally encourages that kind of cooking.
Social media has played a big role in spreading these ideas. Platforms like TikTok have become spaces where people share practical kitchen strategies, not just recipes. Visual explanations of grocery systems or cooking shortcuts often resonate because they offer solutions to everyday problems.
In that sense, the 5-to-1 method is less about a strict rule and more about a mindset shift. It encourages people to be intentional when grocery shopping, making it easier to cook at home and waste less food along the way.
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