How to write a HEALTHY weekly shopping list...

This may sound like I'm really dumb but I am a little confused as to how to worl out a healthy shopping list. I would love to have a weekly meal plan but really can't work out where to start and you have to pay for them online.

I'm not asking anyone to make one for me (that would just be lazy) but does anyone have any suggestions as to how to go aboutnthis. I have fallen off the wagon a  bit and so would like to be really strict with myself for a bit to ensure I get right back on!!

Thank you in advance :-)

I actually eat most of the same things. Not all the same things, but I normally eat lots of chicken with rice and veggies, protein bars, stuff with whole wheat products and lots of cereals. Normally after I find something healthy that I like, I eat it a lot, until I can't stand it anymore. Because I trust it. I'm not really open to new foods. But it is always good to make a list, always! If you don't have a list of some sort, then you will end up buying stuff you don't need, so the list saves you calories and money! if you are one who likes to prepare meals out ahead of time, do so when making a list. Like I said, I pretty much eat the same stuff all the time. =P

Don't know if I was any help, but oh well, lol.

I tend to start out by looking at the weekly circulars for the grocery store I go to. I see what is on sale in terms of fresh produce or grocery stock items I need and plan my meals around those for the most part. I'm a vegetarian, but you could do the same for meat. It helps me to get a variety of foods from week to week, because I don't just rely on the same old fall-to recipes every week.

I have a few favorite meals with each type of food, like if it's zucchini on sale for the week I'll have it sauteed in a stir fry with some tofu, broccoli and brown rice one day, then a few days later make a noodle-free lasagna with it. Sometimes, though, I like to do a search of recipe sites (I love Allrecipes.com) for a specific ingredient to get new ideas.

I find that basing my meals off what's on sale not only helps keep costs down, but gets me to try things I wouldn't otherwise.

Do you have healthy cookbooks at home?  It's good to skim through those every once in a while and pick recipes that you want to make this week and then put those items on your list.  They don't even have to be "diet" cookbooks but inspire you to make the healthy versions of dishes. 

I also keep shortcut food, food that is already prepared that you don't have to assemble or cook.  So, you have no excuse for not eating something decent at home when you're tired and don't want to cook.  Pre-mixed salads, V8 juice, tuna fish, salsa.  I make beans in a batch so that I have them ready during the week. 

Yes, healthy cookbooks are a good start.  I would highly recommend any of Bonnie Stern's heart healthy books.  She uses pretty simple recipes and they are really good.

I plan my shopping around my protein choices, and add fruits and veg according to what's in season and a good buy.  If you always choose foods that are close to their original condition, you're bound to be better off, I would think.  For example, I try to eat actual (whole) grains more than bread, and I don't buy any kind of processed meat like weiners.  i like fish a lot, so I have that often and try to eat fresh more than canned.  I do have to resort to prepared food items now and then, just for time constraints, so choose the ones that list real food ingredients, and not a string of chemicals.  And, i keep bags of frozen veggies around and add them to things like lasagna, soup, etc. just for an extra hit.

A general rule is to shop the perimeter of the store, and avoid the aisles, where they keep the less healthy choices.  Not a hard and fast rule of course, but definately avoid the potato chip aisles.

Hi, I had never logged food or had a written plan before CC+, but I have enjoyed for years reading the 7 day plans on Susan Nicholson's website

http://www.uexpress.com/7daymenuplanner/

I dont feed a family (just me), but some of her ideas for leftovers or simple meals, also budget meals, are really tasty. I love to cook and like trying new things. These days I get 2 recipes and make them both up on the weekend to alternate during the week. I also eat 2 or 3 standard breakfasts, and usually buy a fast food salad for lunch.

I like browsing the recipes on CC+, especially if I have a particular food I want to eat. I got a cookbook from Rodale Press called Eat Up to Slim Down, and I have enjoyed those recipes as well.

My challenge is to get enough protein (25% of calories) into my meals. I've gotten some good ideas from reading the forums. Gosh there's a lot of information here.

Thank you so much everyone- that's really really good advice :-) can't wait to start an even healthier lifestyle :-)