If I want to eat healthy I must keep healthy foods in the house. And that is exactly what I do. Fruit and vegetables are on rotation depending on what’s in season but these 10 bad boys are always in my pantry or fridge come rain or shine. Some of them make snacking a really good idea.
Ginger: I have been buying fresh ginger and drinking it with hot water for years. I remember it helped immensely when I felt nauseous while pregnant with Georgie. I would keep it in my desk drawer at work. I also use ginger in cooking whenever I get the chance. Sometimes I whip it into a paste along with fresh garlic, coat a bunch of vegetables and stick them in the oven. Grate it, chop it, cut it or slice it, ginger is one of the healthiest foods you can have in your kitchen.
Dips: Georgie, papa and I have different tastes in dips. I am a huge fan of the super-garlicky tzatziki, papa loves a great taramosalata (carp roe) while Georgie has a thing for hummus. Tzatziki is very easy to make as is hummus (click to find some really interesting variations of hummus that do not all include tahini) but I am yet to have a go at making taramosalata. I also like this easy green dip which just goes to show how uncomplicated yet healthy dips can be. All you need is a blender, guys. Oh and some warm pitta bread of course.
Eggs: We are lucky enough to have our own hens that my dad, thankfully, enjoys tending to. Therefore fresh, organic eggs are a huge part of our weekly diet. Imagine all the ways you can cook an egg; in our home it’s done. I especially love making frittatas, which happen to be the best leftover food ever and the healthiest of breakfasts. If you’ve never tried making a frittata you really do not know what you’re missing. Expert advice, an introduction and the ultimate easy frittata recipe is what you need. (Please note that I do not use milk and its still tasty). Remember: eggs are packed with protein and the yolk has vitamin E in it, so don’t skip that part. Another easy way to include eggs in your diet is to prep by boiling a few and storing them in the fridge to snack on during the week.
Almonds are what you need to have healthy skin and hair but I keep little pouches of them everywhere because they are great stress-busters too. They are packed with magnesium and antioxidants and can also be used in many ways. We like putting them in our porridge, smoothies, energy bars and let’s not forget my wonderful homemade dark chocolate bars.
Popcorn: You can make it or buy the unsalted version, just stay away from everything else. Popcorn is an inexpensive and healthy snack, very filling and perfect for those moments when I feel like dipping my hands in a big bag of crisps. I include popcorn in Georgie’s lunchbox almost everyday as it is a great source of whole grains.
Quinoa: Ten years ago I couldn’t tell you what quinoa is let alone attempt to say it! However lately I have come to love its versatility, texture and mind-blowing health benefits. I may not have rice in my pantry but I have quinoa. Always. Apart from papa who finds the taste ‘blah’ as he likes to say, Georgie and I especially like it tossed with feta, cherry tomatoes and spinach. It also throw it in salads, like this one. Cooking a batch at the beginning of the week and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge ensures that even a little bit of this healthy grain will get eaten everyday.
Parmesan cheese: Cheese? On a list of healthy foods? Yes because a high-quality block of parmesan is low in fat compared to many other cheeses, has lower lactose content, is high in protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus and is great if you’re watching your cholesterol levels but still need/want to add flavour to your dishes. I always sprinkle some over my oven-cooked vegetables and add some to breadcrumbs when making chicken nuggets. You can buy organic parmesan from most health food stores and Alpha Mega supermarkets.
Yoghurt: No explanations needed for this one. We all know the amazing benefits of beneficial bacteria which yoghurt contains, just make sure its the plain type. I usually purchase a big tub of Total and use it throughout the week in smoothies, potato salads, to soften oats overnight, with chicken and as a healthy pasta sauce substitute.
Dried fruit: Nowhere near as healthy as fresh fruit but ten times better than many other packaged snack options. I haven’t looked into the minerals and vitamins contained in dried fruit because I can’t imagine there are any since everything is zapped out during the dehydration process. What I do know is that you need to make sure there is no added sugar and perhaps you should look out for sulfur dioxide, which is widely used and considered acceptable but can trigger asthma-like reaction in some people. Dried fruit sans sulfur dioxide can be found at health food stores.
Canned beans: When my pantry is stocked with canned beans I have no excuse not to include them in my daily diet. I am a huge fan of fresh beans, green, black-eye and white but preparing them can be time-consuming so I go for the next best thing. Beans are really good for your heart, they can balance your blood sugar, they’re packed with protein and fibre and are one of the easiest and healthiest food options whether they’re frozen, dry or canned. Kidney beans are a favourite in our house.
What about you? I would love to know what healthy options you always have in your kitchen.
