Fridge Essentials:
You may not want to or need to purchase ALL of the below ingredients, but here you will find a comprehensive list of foods to keep on hand for a healthy and more vibrant life. Mix it up. Some of the ingredients – especially the produce, may vary from week to week depending on your work, travel, and social schedule as well as your family’s preferences.
Fresh Produce. An essential to healthier living is to eat more fruits and vegetables. A few staples include: lettuce, onions, red and green bell peppers, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, mushrooms, lemons, apples, oranges, and berries.
Quick produce alternatives. If you never seem to get around to washing, cutting, and eating the fresh produce you purchase, then start filling your basket with healthy “fast food.” Pre-cut and pre-washed fruits and vegetables and cut varieties are now available. A few of those convenience produce items include: cherry tomatoes, pre-sliced carrots, baby carrots, pre-rinsed lettuce, pre-sliced mushrooms, steam in the bag vegetables such as broccoli, snow peas, sugar snap peas, and California Blend…just to name a few.
- Additional foods to stock the fridge with:
- Eggs
- Liquid egg whites
- Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt can be an excellent, high protein, low calorie alternative to sour cream.
- Milk (if you are sensitive to milk or dairy, then use almond, rice, or soy milk)
- Reduced fat cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Wholly Guacamole 100 calorie packs
- Laughing Cow light cheese spread
- Organic butter (unsalted)
- Light whipped butter such as Brummel and Brown Yogurt Butter Spread.
- Turkey or center cut bacon. For a healthier alternative buy nitrate free.
- Tofu Shiritaki Noodles
- Salad dressings such as: Walden Farms Balsamic Vinaigrette (or other salad dressings of choice), Annie’s Gingerly Vinaigrette, Buttermilk Ranch Dressing and Annie’s Low Fat Raspberry Vinaigrette
- 100% Natural Fruit Spread
- Sabra Hummus and single pack hummus
- Rotisserie Chicken
Adrien Paczosa is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian practicing in Austin, Texas and the surrounding counties.
She is the owner and founder of I Live Well Nutrition her Dietitian practice which started in 2007 and serves clients in the Austin, Texas area in two locations. Fearless Practitioners, the division of her business that offers training to dietitians and wellness professionals.