How The 6-To-1 Method Makes Going To The Grocery Store Less Painful

Going to the grocery store, especially during those peak weekend hours, can be a soul-sucking and energy-draining experience. Especially in stores like Trader Joe's where seasonal or specialty items are highly sought after, elbows being thrown or carts being cut off isn't an uncommon occurrence. All of this stress can make you start grabbing whatever is around you, throwing it in your cart, and leaving — but by the time you get home, you realize you only have baby carrots, mochi ice cream, and shredded cheese to make a week's worth of meals. But, one creator on TikTok, chef Will Coleman (self-professed king of grocery shopping), is sharing his method for making trips to the grocery store a lot less painful, and all it involves is counting down from six.

@chefwillco

My 6 to 1 grocery method makes shopping cheaper and easier! Let me know how you like this grocery shopping method. #6to1method

♬ original sound – Chef Will Coleman

In a recent video, Coleman explains his hack for grocery shopping — something he calls the "six-to-one" method. The method is simple, Coleman explains that he buys six vegetables, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one fun thing just for you. While there are similar methods out there, Coleman's viral tip takes a lot of the guesswork out of what to buy when grocery shopping and can even save you money.

Will Coleman, who makes lots of cooking and food-related content on TikTok, told Good Morning America that the six-to-one method has saved him a significant amount of time, money, and stress when he hits the grocery store. For him, the best part about this shopping method is that you'll go into the store with a set plan in mind, and this —in theory — prevents you from overspending on things you don't need. We've all gone to the grocery store and thrown a million random seasonal items in our cart, just because. To save even more money, be sure to hunt through the store section chefs always hit first: the clearance aisle.

Besides hypothetically helping you save money, Coleman says that his method has actually helped him to eat healthier foods. Instead of focusing grocery trips on processed items, the six-to-one method focuses on larger amounts of fruits, veggies, and proteins. In terms of the amounts, Coleman does note that if you're planning on feeding more people than just yourself, you'll probably have to adjust the quantities or go shopping twice a week. One apple toward your fruit quota may be enough for just you, but if you're feeding a larger family, you'll need to purchase more — just keep the ratio in mind: five fruits per person.

Being good at efficiently grocery shopping takes practice, but it is also a science that you can nail down by following a few simple tips. Although it's hard to get to the store during the week if you have a full-time job, the absolute worst time of the week to go grocery shopping is a Sunday afternoon — if you've fallen victim to Trader Joe's at this time of day, you know what we're talking about. Instead, try to head to the store during low-traffic hours like early in the morning or later in the evening. This is also when produce is restocked, so you're sure to get fresh fruits and veg too.

There are also rules about the last groceries you should grab on every trip. To avoid food going bad, it's best to pick up anything perishable last — this includes frozen food, meats, and dairy products — so they aren't sitting out at room temperature for longer than necessary.