How do I use the shopping list?Updated 2 months ago

Quick Answer

The Shopping List is located on your Home screen under the Meals section in My Plan. Select which days you want to include from your weekly meal plan, and CENTR automatically compiles all ingredients needed. You can adjust serving sizes, and the Shopping List updates ingredient quantities accordingly.

Accessing the Shopping List

On iOS and Android App

1. Open the CENTR app
2. Go to your Home screen
3. Scroll to the "My Plan" section
4. Find "Meals"
5. Tap on the Shopping List option

On Web (centr.com)

1. Log in to your account at centr.com
2. Navigate to Home
3. Go to "My Plan"
4. Select "Meals"
5. Click on Shopping List

Creating Your Shopping List

Select Days to Include: Choose which days of the week you want to shop for:

• Some members plan for a few days at a time (2-3 days)
• Others create a shopping list for the full week (7 days)
• Select based on your shopping habits and storage space

CENTR automatically compiles all ingredients needed for the recipes from your selected days.

Automatic Features

The Shopping List intelligently handles ingredients:

• Combines quantities: If multiple recipes need eggs, the list totals them (e.g., 6 eggs total rather than listing 2 eggs three times)
• Organizes by category: Ingredients are grouped for efficient shopping (produce, proteins, pantry, etc.)
• Updates with swaps: When you swap a recipe, the Shopping List automatically removes old ingredients and adds new ones
• Recalculates with serving changes: Adjust recipe servings and quantities update automatically

Adjusting Serving Sizes in Shopping List

Customize ingredient quantities before shopping:

1. View your Shopping List
2. Find recipes where you want to change servings
3. Adjust the serving size for that recipe
4. Ingredient quantities recalculate automatically
5. Total amounts update across the entire list

Why adjust here? This ensures you buy the right quantities for your household size or meal prep needs.

How to Use While Shopping

At the Grocery Store:

• Access your Shopping List on your phone while shopping
• Work through each category systematically
• Check off items as you add them to your cart
• Ingredients are grouped to match typical store layout

Tip: Shop category by category (all produce, then all proteins, then pantry items) to be most efficient.

Customization Options

Make the Shopping List work for your needs:

• Add extra items: While the list is auto-generated from recipes, you can add additional items you need
• Remove items you have: If you already have certain ingredients at home, skip those items
• Adjust quantities: Buy larger quantities if you plan to use ingredients for non-CENTR meals too

Shopping Tips

• Review before shopping: Check your Shopping List a day before grocery shopping to plan your trip
• Swap first, shop later: Swap any recipes you don't want to make BEFORE generating your Shopping List
• Check your pantry: Review what you already have to avoid buying duplicates
• Consider shelf life: If shopping for a full week, buy items with longer shelf life or plan to shop mid-week for fresh produce
• Buy in bulk: Pantry staples used frequently can be bought in larger quantities
• Seasonal produce: Recipes adjust seasonally, but you can still swap for what's fresh at your store

Meal Prep Shopping

If you're batch cooking:

• Select all days you're prepping for
• Adjust serving sizes to larger batches
• Shop for storage containers if needed
• Buy ingredients suitable for freezing if making extras

See "How do I meal prep efficiently?" for more batch cooking guidance.

Family Shopping

When shopping for your family:

• Adjust recipe servings to family size before viewing Shopping List
• Select days you're cooking family meals (not necessarily every day)
• Ingredient quantities automatically calculate for your scaled recipes
• Add extra snacks or breakfast items your family needs

Common Questions

Can I share my Shopping List with someone? You can view your Shopping List on your phone while shopping together, or screenshot the list to send to a partner or family member.

Does the Shopping List save from week to week? The Shopping List updates each week based on your new meal plan. It reflects your current week's recipes, not previous weeks.

What if I want to buy organic or specific brands? The Shopping List shows ingredients and quantities. You choose the specific brands, quality levels (organic, conventional), and formats when shopping.

Can I print my Shopping List? If accessing from centr.com on web, you can print the Shopping List from your browser. On mobile, you can screenshot the list.

Need Help?

If you have questions about using the Shopping List or need help with meal planning, contact our support team at [email protected]