Grocery shopping is the bane of my existence. As a city slicker, not having a car offers many sustainable benefits, but the process of grocery shopping isn’t one of them. Instead of buying everything I need, I’m typically limited to what I can realistically schlep all the way home. Recently, however, I’ve seen multiple TikTok influencers use what’s called the “3-3-2-2-1 grocery shopping method” as a way to ensure they’re eating enough of every food group. To really test whether this method works, I did a deep dive into what the 3-3-2-2-1 method is, how to use it, and the benefits of treating grocery shopping as a formulaic activity—and it’s a true game changer.

What Is the 3-3-2-2-1 Grocery Shopping Method?

The 3-3-2-2-1 method is simple, as the name tells you exactly what you need to buy: three vegetables, three protein sources, two grains, two fruits, and one dip. For vegetables—which I’m always weary of buying in bulk for fear that it’ll spoil quickly—I chose cauliflower, spinach, and okra, aka the most versatile and nutritional options I could find. I’m also partial to traditional South Asian dishes, so vegetables I could chop up, sautee, and eat with roti were a big priority. For protein sources, I immediately grabbed some boneless chicken (my favorite protein), some Greek yogurt (along with granola, of course), and a pack of seasoned almonds (which count as protein and make for a delicious mid-day snack!). Once the hard part of selecting three items per category was over, I moved on to my two-item selections.

For grains, I tossed a box of whole wheat rigatoni in my cart, along with Trader Joe’s signature marinara sauce, which tastes perfectly delicious and garlic-y. I chose whole wheat toast for my second grain—if I could only choose one food item to buy per week, it would always be bread. For fruits, I picked out oranges and apples, both of which require little to no preparation. Lastly, I chose hummus as my dip. It’s versatile, packed with good-for-you ingredients, and equally delicious and healthy. I walked home with all my groceries, and for the first time, my hands weren’t hurting from the weight of overshopping.

My Experience Trying the 3-3-2-2-1 Grocery Shopping Method

I was overwhelmingly satisfied with my grocery haul, and the results immediately paid off the next day. For breakfast, I was able to make myself some toast (with butter) and pair it with Greek yogurt mixed with granola—a nutritious and ultimately healthier option than a bowl of cereal. For lunch, I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich and ate it with a side of seasoned almonds, while being oddly surprised at how well they paired together. For dinner, I cut up some cauliflower, sauteed it in a medley of turmeric, mustard seeds, and garam masala, and ate it with roti, which is made from whole wheat flour.

There are still multiple ingredients sitting in my fridge waiting to be cooked, but I’ve already benefited greatly from the 3-3-2-2-1 grocery shopping method. If I’m craving a quick snack, like mini pretzels, I already have hummus in the fridge that I can pair with it and boost my nutritional intake. When I’m out of dinner ideas, there’s pasta stocked in my pantry that I can whip up in 10 minutes. If I want to make a grilled cheese sandwich healthier, there’s spinach I can overlay on top. When I’m itching for a snack, I grab a few clementines or slice up an apple. And while I didn’t expect to find this shopping method so groundbreaking, it’s definitely changed the way I approach the stressful act of buying groceries—just try it out for yourself.