Foodat is an AI-powered pantry tracker app for iPhone that helps you know what's in your fridge, what's expiring soon, and what you need to buy. Scan receipts, track expiration dates, and get smart shopping lists — never waste food again.

How do I add items to my pantry?

You can scan barcodes, take photos of receipts, or manually add items. Foodat automatically tracks expiration dates and sends reminders before food goes bad.

Is Foodat free to use?

Yes! Foodat has a free tier that lets you track up to 15 items. Premium subscription unlocks unlimited items and all features including receipt scanning.

How does the shopping list work?

Foodat suggests items to buy based on what's running low or expiring. You can also add items manually. The app reminds you when you're near a grocery store.

How to Start Pantry Tracking | Beginner Guid

Pantry tracking might sound technical, but in reality it is simply about knowing what is in your kitchen, how long it will last and what you genuinely need to buy next. When you build pantry tracking into your weekly routine, it saves time, cuts grocery costs and helps reduce food waste without adding extra stress.

If you are new to pantry tracking, this step by step guide will help you set up a system that actually works.

Step 1: Clear and Categorise Your Kitchen

Start by taking everything out of your cupboards, fridge and freezer. Yes, everything.

This gives you a clear picture of what you own and helps you spot duplicates, expired items and things you forgot were there.

As you go through your food, group similar items together:

Tins, jars and packets
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Spices and condiments
Frozen meals and leftovers

Categorising your food makes pantry tracking far easier later on. It also helps you organise your shelves in a way that makes sense for everyday use.

Step 2: Choose a Pantry Tracking Method

There are several ways to approach pantry tracking:

A handwritten notebook
A spreadsheet
Or a dedicated app such as Foodat

While a written list can work, using an app simplifies the process. Foodat is designed specifically for pantry tracking, helping you monitor what you have, keep track of expiry dates and create smart shopping lists based on your stock levels.

Choosing a method that feels easy to maintain is key. The best pantry tracking system is the one you will actually use.

Step 3: Add Items to Your Inventory

Once you have chosen your method, it is time to build your inventory.

If you are using Foodat, you can speed this up with the built in receipt scanner. Simply take a photo of your grocery receipt and the app will automatically add the items to your pantry list.

This makes pantry tracking far less time consuming and reduces the risk of forgetting items. It also helps keep product names and expiry dates accurate from the start.

Step 4: Set Expiry Reminders

A major reason pantry tracking works so well is because it keeps expiry dates visible.

Instead of discovering spoiled food at the back of the fridge, you receive reminders before items reach their best before or use by date. Foodat sends alerts so you know what needs using first.

By checking these notifications regularly, you can plan meals around food that is close to expiring. This small habit makes a significant difference to food waste over time.

Step 5: Review and Update Weekly

Pantry tracking is not something you do once and forget about. It works best when it becomes part of your weekly routine.

Set aside a few minutes each week to:

Remove items you have used
Add new purchases
Adjust quantities where needed

Keeping your inventory up to date ensures your pantry tracking system stays accurate and reliable when you plan meals or write a shopping list.

Step 6: Use Smart Shopping Lists

One of the biggest advantages of pantry tracking is smarter shopping.

Rather than guessing what you need, you can check your inventory before heading to the supermarket. If you use Foodat, it highlights items that are running low and helps generate a shopping list based on your current stock.

This reduces duplicate purchases, prevents overbuying and keeps your grocery spending under control.

Step 7: Plan Meals Around What You Already Have

With a clear pantry inventory, meal planning becomes much easier.

Before planning your week’s meals:

Review what is in stock
Identify items that need using soon
Build recipes around those ingredients

This approach to pantry tracking helps you make better use of the food you already own and lowers the chances of unnecessary spending.

Final Thoughts on Getting Started with Pantry Tracking

Starting pantry tracking is far simpler than most people expect. It does not require complicated systems or hours of organisation. Even ten minutes a week can transform how you manage your kitchen.

Using an app like Foodat removes much of the manual effort and keeps everything in one place, from expiry reminders to shopping lists. Once pantry tracking becomes part of your routine, it feels less like a task and more like a natural part of staying organised.

And once you see how much food and money you save, you will not want to go back.