Weekly shopping list – how to write it from your menu
Short answer
Write the weekly shopping list after the menu: list the ingredients of every dish, add up the quantities of the same product, remove what is already in the pantry and sort the list by store section. Sharing it with the family avoids duplicates and forgotten items.
A list written from memory always forgets something and often adds things you already have at home. The European Union generates about 129 kilograms of food waste per person per year, and more than half of it comes from households (Eurostat data for 2024): buying the right quantities is the first way to reduce it.
Start from the menu, not the shelves
First decide what you will eat during the week, then write the list. For each dish, note the ingredients and the quantities for the number of people at the table that day. A list that starts from the menu contains only what you need.
Add up the quantities
The same ingredient often appears in several dishes: the onions for Monday’s sauce and those for Thursday’s soup. Add them up on a single line, so you know how much you really need to buy.
Check the pantry before you go
Remove from the list what is already at home and look at the dates: a product that expires soon should be used in the first days of the menu, not bought again.
Sort by store section
Group the list by section (fruit and vegetables, chilled, dry goods, frozen, household goods). At the supermarket you do a single round, without going back.
Share it with the family
If the person who writes the list and the person who does the shopping are not the same, a list shared on the phone avoids duplicates. Ticking items off as you pick them up tells everyone what is still missing.
How to do it with Sunny Family
In Sunny Family the shopping list comes from the approved menu, with quantities already added up for the whole week, and it is shared with the people in your household. With Premium, after shopping the products move to the pantry with their expiry dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is one big shop a week better than lots of small ones?
One main shop based on the menu, plus a quick trip midweek for fresh food that does not keep long, helps you buy only what you need.
How do I avoid buying the same thing twice?
Use a single list shared by the whole family and tick items off as you put them in the trolley.
Should I also write down the products I use every week?
Yes, but it is better to keep them in a fixed basic list (bread, milk, fruit) to add each time, checking first how much is left at home.
Sources
The guides give general information and do not replace advice from a doctor or a nutritionist.