Healthy Foods to Keep in Your Fridge

If you are looking for ways to trim your waistline and improve your health, then having the right foods in the fridge will set you up for success. Because when the hunger hits, it’s tempting to reach for a treat if you don’t have anything convenient on hand. When you have a well-stocked kitchen with all of your favorite healthy foods, then it means that you always have the building blocks available to prepare delicious meals that are packed with nutrition.

The key is to plan your favorite recipes and then choose your shopping strategy to match. Here are a few tips to prepare your fridge, freezer, and pantry with a well-balanced stock that will help you maintain the best levels of health for yourself and your family:

Stocking the Fridge

In the fridge you will put all of the freshest ingredients you will need. Examples include fruits and vegetables, as well as any fresh herbs that you might want to cook with. Try to choose a variety of colors since there are different nutrients and antioxidants in different types of plants.

Select a combination of leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. Always have the staples on hand, such as carrots, celery, and cucumbers. Common fruits include berries, apples, oranges, and pears. It’s also nice to have limes and lemons for drinks and to add flavor to your meals.

It’s also a good idea to have fresh dairy products on hand if you eat these things, such as eggs, yogurt (no sugar added), and milk.

Filling the Freezer

The freezer can be a great resource to ensure that you always have the best ingredients for meal preparation. Some good things to keep in the freezer include frozen veggies (peas, corn, and mixes for stir-fry). Also, grab a bag or two of frozen fruits because they make it easy to blend up a healthy smoothie with protein powder.

It’s nice to keep meat in the freezer since this method of storage will extend the life of these ingredients. Select a variety of high-quality meats, including lean ground turkey, chicken breasts or thighs, fish filets, and steaks for special occasions.

Pantry Staples

The pantry is the place where you will keep dry goods, such as whole grains (rice, quinoa, and pasta), as well as legumes, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils. It is also convenient to keep canned goods such as tomatoes, vegetables, broths, herbs, and spices in the pantry.

Having all of these things on hand makes it easier than ever to throw together a healthy meal when it’s time to feed your family. The goal is to make it simple to stay on track with your clean eating plan.

Need a meal in a pinch? Consider any Backpacker’s Pantry meal kit! There are a variety of cuisine types, serving sizes, and diet preferences (gluten free, vegetarian, vegan).

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