I'm still new to calorie counting, as it's only been a few weeks. I'm currently aiming for about 1600-1700 a day especially since I have a job that requires me to sit at a desk all day, though I walk about 3/4's a mile in the morning to get to my desk and 3/4's a mile after work to get to my car.

My husband and I have decided to try out only going to the grocery store one day a week to shop for the whole week, that way we don't buy on impulse as much as we used too.

Tomorrow is the day! So, I had a few questions for you beautiful people.
1. What are some staples you generally buy every week at the grocery store? 2. Any suggestions for a yummy whole grain pasta for a whole grain newbie?
3. Favorite tips for calorie counting / grocery shopping?

fresh veggies, fresh fruit, whole wheat pasta, sauce, eggs, lowfat cottage cheese, nuts, greek yogurt, non fat milk, lean meat (chicken, turkey), eggs, lowfat cheese, whole wheat bread, olive oil is a staple in my house.

Tips: Just write it all down, keep your journal with you. Get in the habit of tracking it all after each eat so you know how much you can have and save room for your entire days eat!

Frozen veggies and frozen berries!

For whole wheat pasta Hodgson Mill is the brand I generally pick up.

Other than fruits & veggies - both frozen and fresh

Weekly to bi-weekly usuals are: eggs/egg whites, lots of yogurts, cottage cheese, milk, hummus, whole wheat wraps, whole wheat breads, deli meat, turkey bacon, chicken breast, ground turkey, lean ground beef, cans of beans (for chili and soups).

That's very general, though.

Tips - Have a decent meal before you shop so that you aren't going into the store hungry. If you go when you're hungry or starving everything is going to look good and you'll pick up things that you really don't need.

I always make sure I have Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges and Non Fat Yogurt on hand so look for them to be on special and stock up. The other suggestions apply to me as well, fresh fruit and vegies as well as frozen vegies. and ground turkey can be used in place of ground beef.

Veggies: baby carrots, snap peas, broccoli (lots and lots), turnips (make wonderful replacement for potatoes as a mash), cucumber. Different types of frozen mixed veggies
Fruits: frozen strawberries for various things, apples, avocados.
As far as fats/protein go, lean cuts of chicken and pork, salmon, canned tuna, etc.
If I get grains (I don't anymore, watching carbs as well), Catelli Healthy Harvest is good, and organic brown rice

Wholegrain pasta, and come to that gluten-free pasta too, always seems to do best when it's the fusilli (spirals) shape.

Thanks so much for the tips! I'm eating a grilled chicken sandwich on one piece of bread with some veggies and water while I make my list (I'm not much of a breakfast person and it's already 11:00). So I don't go hungry and can make good choices.

I've been meal planning and grocery shopping one day a week for 12 years without fail. Let me tell you, it makes a HUGE difference in time and money. I write budget meal articles for Examiner.com, and here are a couple of my more popular articles on the subject to help you. They are geared toward Seattle, but the method really can be used anywhere.

Meal planning part I : The basics
Meal planning part II: The shopping plan
Meal plan/grocery list

Something else I would strongly recommend having in your pantry are a good variety of spices and low-calorie condiments.

Spice List
Pantry List

Good luck!