Americans are making costly grocery mistake even before entering the store, expert warns

Cookbook author Jenn Lueke says shoppers can cut grocery costs and reduce mealtime stress by planning meals and making a shopping list before heading to the store. She argues that relying on familiar, adaptable recipes can also help people avoid buying unnecessary ingredients to make a different, impressive dinner every night.

Lueke recommends keeping affordable staples such as beans, rice, pasta and quinoa, and using frozen proteins to reduce shopping trips. For a $50 to $75 shop, she suggests adding lower-cost produce such as carrots, onions and potatoes, choosing proteins including chicken thighs, tofu or chickpeas, and using ingredients like canned artichokes across more than one meal.