Every household is unique. People’s eating habits, lifestyles and favourite dishes can dictate what items are in their grocery bags. If you are a vegan, you have organic and vegan food items like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, etc. If you love meat, your grocery bags will be full of chicken breast, eggs, fish fillets and similar items. People choose the items that suit their lifestyles, and their grocery lists evolve with time.
Though you may not determine the exact items crucial in a grocery list, a basic guideline can help you choose the essential grocery items that you should have in your kitchen. For example, if you are a working professional, you may not have much time to cook meals daily. On top of that, you would be looking for some easy dishes that you can quickly cook without much preparation. Therefore your grocery list must contain items such as instant mixes, snacks, pasta, noodles, rice, idli-dosa batters, eggs, and bread, which you can use to quickly fix breakfast, lunch or dinner. As a working professional, you don’t have enough time to go to the supermarket to buy groceries; you can use online grocery shopping apps like Instamart to get your groceries delivered to your home within an hour. Now that you know where to order your groceries from, take a look at these six house essentials you must have on your grocery list.
1.Cereals and breakfast foods
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives you the energy to start your day and stays satiated by the time of your lunch. If you work full-time at an office, you tend to wake up early, get ready and rush to reach the office. If you don’t eat your breakfast, you feel a lack of energy and may not work productively throughout the day. Sadly you may not have the time to cook yourself a delicious breakfast, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy breakfast. Cereals like muesli and oats are a great breakfast option. They are a perfect source of carbs and protein, giving you the much-needed energy to start your day. You can also add eggs and bread to fix an omelet that will provide you with a lot of protein. Here is the list of cereals and breakfast foods that you should have on your grocery list:
- Multigrain cereals like muesli
- Oats (Plain or Masala)
- Cornflakes
- Eggs
- Bread
- Peanut butter
- Poha
- Rava
- Idli Dosa Batter
- Milk
- Coffee
- Tea
- Biscuits and Cookies
- Energy bars
- Pancake mix
2.Grains, Lentils and Flours
No matter how much you eat outside, Daal Khichdi is still the best comfort food for many. Though you may not have enough time to cook daal rice or khichdi during the weekdays, you can cook it peacefully for a perfectly lazy Sunday afternoon lunch. Grains like rice, barley, and wheat are common in Indian households. You would also need legumes to make daal and sambar for Idli and dosa. Here is a list of grains, lentils and other essentials needed for lunch or dinner:
- Rice
- Wheat Flour(Aata)
- Lentils(Daal)
- Maida
- Quinoa
3.Protein Sources
Protein is an essential micronutrient that strengthens your muscles and gives you the energy to function optimally throughout the day. Protein also supports higher brain function so that you can be productive all day long. There are different ways to incorporate protein into your diet. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast or not, protein is a necessary nutrient for your health. Here are some items that are a great source of protein and should be on your grocery list. :
- Chicken breast
- Eggs
- Meat
- Milk
- Seafood- prawns, shrimps
- Paneer
- Tofu
- Fish fillets
4.Fresh Produce
Fresh fruits and veggies are essential to a healthy diet. Fresh produce like onions and tomatoes are staple for cooking almost any Indian dish. On top of that, a diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables helps lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of digestive problems, reduce the risks of heart diseases and provides you with healthy calories to keep your weight in check. If you have enough time to make meals, you can always eat fruits like apples and oranges to help you satiate your hunger and keep you healthy. So instead of hogging unhealthy junk food, you carry fruits when you leave for your office. Here is a list of some fresh produce that you should have on your grocery list:
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Apples
- Oranges
- Banana
- Mango
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
- Avocado
- Kiwi
- Lemons
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Papaya
5. Frozen products
When you work full time for 5 to 6 days a week, you may not get the time to run to the grocery store daily and gather ingredients for your meals. Thankfully you stock up on frozen food that you can thaw whenever you want and cook your favourite dish. The good thing about frozen food is that it can last for several days and weeks without getting spoiled. It helps you save a lot of the time you would have spent commuting to the supermarket, getting stuck in traffic and carrying those heavy grocery bags. Online grocery shopping brands deliver frozen food and many other grocery items to your doorsteps within 45 to 60 minutes, so you don’t have to step out to buy the groceries. On top of that, you can manually search for each item on the app, so you don’t have to waste time looking for anything, which mostly happens in supermarkets. Take a look at this list of frozen foods you need to have on your grocery list:
- Frozen veggies – carrots, peas, etc.
- Frozen meat, fish
- Frozen instant foods like french fries, burger patties
- Sausages
- Veggie Sausages
- Smoothie fruit mix
6.Health and Personal care products
Health and wellness products are one of the most forgotten items in groceries. When you live as a bachelor, you might neglect your health. But it’s essential to understand that hygiene and sanitation are crucial in a healthy life. You should keep yourself and your surroundings clean and hygienic. Remember to add these products to your grocery list when you order your groceries online.
- Sanitisers
- Bathroom and toilet cleaners
- Wet wipes
- Tissue papers
- Moisturisers
- Sunscreen
- Hair cream
- Hair oil
- Sanitary pads
- Contraceptives
- Antiseptic liquids like Dettol and Savlon
- Washing powders and bars
- Dish soap liquids and bars
- Fabric conditioners
- Protein supplements
- Vitamins
- Shaving razors
- Handwash
- Facewash
- Mosquito repellent creams and vaporisers
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Mouthwash
- Handwash
The items in your grocery bag reflect your lifestyle choices. All these items should be part of your shopping list, and make sure you stock them on time. If you plan to buy groceries on a weekly or monthly basis, you will get more discounts on bulk orders. This basic grocery list will guide you through buying the essentials required in your home.
Read More: 7 Most Common Reasons for Ordering Groceries Via Swiggy Instamart