How do you manage grocery shopping and meal preparation?

I’m going to add:
1. Use the dump and go method. Find recipes that only use one pan, on bowl, one pot…you get the idea. We use our crockpot, instant pot/pressure cooker, and sheet pan meals a lot.
2. Buy in bulk if there’s a sale and you have the storage space.
3. Stock up on frozen produce (the nutrients are pretty well-preserved during freezing). Whatever you like. It’s nice to have things already chopped up, and there are some good mixed varieties, too. Costco has one with chopped sweet potatoes, red onion, and brussel sprouts that’s easy to spread onto a lined cookie sheet and roast. We buy a lot of the chicken and turkey sausages, which are easy to cut up and add to the veggie mix for roasting.
4. Do you like smoothies? There are tons of recipes for those. There are also the pre-made bottled kind (I like the Orgain brand) if you really don’t have the energy to cook anything.
4. If you are cooking a meal, consider doubling the recipe (as long as it doesn’t add too much more effort) and putting the leftovers in the freezer. Chili, soups, casseroles (baked in those tin pans), grilled meats, leftover bread or pastry items all do well for this. I will also scramble a dozen eggs at a time to have on hand for easy breakfasts during the week.
5. Have canned and pantry items on hand, too. Since I have to watch out for histamines, lectins, oxalates, etc., I buy Eden brand beans (they’re already soaked and pressure cooked before being canned), sprouted nuts and seeds, trail mixes, high protein, gluten free cereals/grains, and various healthy bars. Do what’s good for you.
6. As for dishes, the family pulls together for this job. Try to use only what can be put in the dishwasher, be recycled, or thrown out. If there’s a lot to put away, I do it in 10 min. increments. Literally set a timer, then stop and rest once it goes off (for me, resting can be anywhere from 15min. to an hour). Then, repeat as needed to finish the job. The rest of the family helps, too.
7. Whatever you do, always keep energy conservation and pacing in mind. For example, I will lie down on the couch while things are cooking. Avoid things that are triggers (i.e. certain strong smells, and the loud oven fan can set off my symptoms-I use ear plugs). If you start to feel the signs that you’re overdoing it, try to get to a stopping point as soon as possible. Dishes can be done another time. Let the food cook until done, leave it out a little while to cool off, then stick it in the fridge for another day if you need to. Eat a handful of sprouted pumpkin seeds, and immediately go to bed. You can shower and change your clothes tomorrow. When I don’t listen to my signs, I’m often bed-ridden for DAYS afterwards. But, if I pace consistently, even though it feels slow, I’m often more successful.
Good luck!

@pdoubrava
I started online shopping at food lion during Covid and it’s definitely come in handy now. Teeter is good too but pricey and whole foods delivers through Amazon.
I also use Hungryroot. It’s very customizable so I can change up ingredients in the meals or order from the pantry. I am on a migraine diet so that leaves a lot out. I like that they do simple foods with simple prep b/c I just don’t have the energy to prep and cook anymore.
It also doesn’t cost much more than what I would spend on groceries and definitely less than I was spending on take out b/c I didn’t have energy to prep/cook.
I love the instapot liner idea that was shared! I also use a lot of aluminum foil and parchment paper. Thanks for the question! I need these tips too!