How to keep it stocked

When I was single my grocery budget was about 25$ every 2 weeks.  Honestly.  I'm not sure what I ate for so little.  I'm pretty sure every time my roommate and I went to the grocery store I bought: milk, noodles, spaghetti sauce, cheese, cucumbers, popcorn kernels and bread.  I may have splurged on broccoli, chicken and apples every once in a while.  I don't know how I survived. And I am a dietitian! That's a terrible grocery list.

When I got married to Andy our grocery budget more than doubled.  And now, I can't keep a consistent budget or plan.  These boys eat eat eat.  Although Eli doesn't eat a lot at one time, I still put it on his plate-just in case he has a good day.  And to top it off, now that I am part time, I am feeding the boys breakfast and lunch 3 more times a week than we used to, so keeping enough variety around is important.  (I remember a friend pointing out that when you are home with your kids you use so many utensils every day.  NOW I get it!!!  3 spoons, 3 forks every meal, sometimes 4 if Andy is home. Don't forget cups and snack cups.  Plus I use at least 2 knives at every meals as well to prevent cross contamination). 

And I'm not one of those ultra healthy dietitians either. You know who they are.  I'm a pretty normal/healthy eater, but I am adamant about having a fruit at every breakfast, a fruit and veggie at lunch and dinner.  So it all disappears fast.  If Eli, Andy and I each eat an apple and banana each day (plus Hughie....) we could be eating more than 15 apples and 15 bananas a week.  Who can keep up with that?  I mean who can keep their fruit bowl stocked for that?  We also buy melon, grapes, berries or other fruits when the price is right.  But who am I kidding...if we had all that there would be no room for anything else!  And just when we are running low on milk (whole for Hugh, skim for us) we know we cannot run out or Hugh will just DIE (have you seen this boy when he is thirsty???) Therefore we often end up with 4 (YES 4!!!) gallons of milk in our fridge.  Is it time for a 2nd fridge in the garage?  Ugggg. 

  I know that now that I am gluten free everything is exacerbated.  We have two of everything, or so it seems.  My bread and noodles are much more expensive. And since we've been married Andy has taken a turn for the better and has learned to eat a wider range of vegetables and fruits, making it easier to stock the crisper drawers.  In the last year he has started grabbing fruit or cereal for snacks instead of ice cream or chips and salsa.  We also ALL eat yogurt and enjoy different flavors.  Andy and Eli love cottage cheese. Andy is obsessed with tortillas.  The boys eat eggs for breakfast multiple times a week.  I just don't know how to stock the fridge. 

So let's forget the budget.  That is going to work itself out. It has to.  But I'm wondering who goes shopping multiple times a week?  And not just for 1 or 2 things but to replenish the fruit and veggie drawer?  Who shops 1 time/week or 2 times/week?  Do you buy in bulk when it comes to fruit or veggies you go through fast?  Are you successful at buying at the right time (i.e. not before a weekend that you will be traveling etc?)  Who plans the meals and totally sticks to it? Who tries to stick to it? Who doesn't plan anything and flies by the seat of their pants? I need advice.  And I know know know know that I ain't seen nothin' yet.  Give it 5 more years and Hughie will be eating triple portions and Eli will be eating 2 bowls of cereal between every meal.  Right now when Andy makes homemade pizza he shares it with the boys and has enough to take to work the next day (While I eat my expensive gluten free noodles) but I know that in 5 years Andy will be making 2 pizzas and then 3 when sports and puberty kicks in. 
What do you stock a LOT of in your house for your kids? What arse staples?  Do you look for deals?  From one mom to another.....help a gal out.