It's very easy to get lost in a supermarket.

Wandering from shelf to shelf, forgetting the list you made, and panicking, putting whatever you find in your basket. The result? Cupboards full of junk or products you'll never eat, with no real food to cook for the week. Fortunately, there is a very simple solution that will allow you to organize your shopping, reduce food waste, and make shopping a more efficient and less stressful experience.

The method called 5-4-3-2-1 will save you: it simply consists of buying five vegetables, four fruits, three proteins, two carbohydrates, and one treat. This magic formula was popularized by chef Will Coleman. He claims that with this trick, he can prepare between four and six meals for two people for less than about €86 thanks to this simple formula.

With this technique, even if you are not a great cook, you can easily prepare several dishes from different ingredients. Another advantage of the 5-4-3-2-1 method is that it limits food waste: you only buy what you need for cooking, without accumulating products that you will not use and will ultimately throw away.

By planning all your purchases, you can organize your week and have a clearer idea of what you need. In addition to saving you time in the kitchen, this trick helps you avoid impulse purchases that (more or less) weigh on your wallet.

Initially, you should focus on "basic" products. Choose vegetables and fruits, then try to diversify your protein sources, such as salmon, eggs, and tofu. Rice and pasta complete the list of carbohydrates. The formula ends with a pleasant ingredient, which can be in the form of a sweet treat such as chocolate or, for the more health-conscious, a little fruit as a bonus.

Of course, this trick is not a mantra to be followed literally, but rather a tip that allows you to have enough ingredients to prepare healthy meals in the long run. The list can be personalized according to each person's diet and naturally varies throughout the seasons. Try it, it might save you from leaving the store with three croissants, deodorant, and a bag of lentils. I BGNES