Do you already know the 5-4-3-2-1 method? The shopping strategy created by chef Will Coleman gained popularity on TikTok in 2024 and gained many followers. Since then, the proposal has even received an updated version, but the original idea remains simple: organize the week's shopping in a practical, economical and balanced way.
Method 5-4-3-2-1 promises to save on purchases and reduce waste
Do you already know the 5-4-3-2-1 method? The shopping strategy created by chef Will Coleman gained popularity on TikTok in 2024 and gained many followers. Since then, the proposal has even received an updated version,...
Coleman presented the method as a way to make meal planning easier and avoid waste. In an interview with Food & Wine magazine, in 2025, he explained that he noticed people's interest in guidance on setting up pantries with more durable foods, which would not be discarded quickly and would also help save money.
What does the 5-4-3-2-1 method consist of?
A post shared by Chef Will Coleman (@chefwillcoleman)
How does the 5-4-3-2-1 method work?
The chef's initial proposal was to include in the cart:
5 vegetables
4 fruits
3 proteins
2 sauces or spreads, such as hummus, tomato sauce, pesto or peanut butter
1 gift, such as chocolate, chips or dessert
Why might the method work?
According to an analysis by the newspaper AS USA, one of the advantages of the strategy is to reduce so-called decision fatigue. Instead of defining all the meals for the week in advance, the person chooses food groups that can be combined in different ways.
Another positive point is that a large part of the cart tends to be made up of fresh and nutritious foods. This increases the variety of recipes and makes it easier to combine ingredients throughout the day.
Over time, Coleman expanded the proposal and created the 6-to-1 method, which adds a new category:
6 vegetables
5 fruits
4 proteins
3 sources of carbohydrates
2 sauces or pastes
1 gift
The new version maintains the simplicity of the original model, but expands the diversity of foods and helps to create a more complete cart. The strategy can also reduce impulse purchases without requiring the complete exclusion of sweets, snacks or desserts.
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Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora
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