Food is so important, not only for our physical health but our mental health, too! Eating foods that make our bodies feel good (or foods that just make us happy!) can change the trajectory of our day and our overall quality of life. Plus, our society has grown so much, and different diets, lifestyles, and cultures have brought new traditions and ways of thinking about food, further expanding what we eat and why.
That being said, as you head to the grocery store (whether you have a list or not), here are some staple grocery items to always add to your cart.
Grains
Grains encompass such a wide variety: rice, bread, quinoa, etc. Even if you have a grain-free or gluten-free diet, having appropriate grains can make such a difference in your energy levels and overall calorie intake. Make sure that every grocery trip includes grains that you can pair with meals. Even if you don’t eat them regularly, rice/quinoa can be stored, or bread can be frozen!
Snacks
Outside of your three staple meals, you should always have snacks on hand for when you’re feeling hungry. If you have kids, having snacks is a must to tide them over. Or, if you have guests, snacks are just polite to offer. Stock up on healthy snacks such as nuts, grain-free chips, olives, breadsticks, carrot/celery sticks, popcorn etc.
Spices
Herbs and spices improve everything, and there are so many delectable and mouth-watering flavors. Spices can make the difference in simple ways (like jazzing up your java with cinnamon) or they are the core of your dish (like making a more fragrant chicken biryani). Herbs are quite cheap and last in the pantry indefinitely.
Fruit
It’s always a good idea to have fruits and vegetables on hand. As you shop, think about items that you can freeze, too! Bananas can be frozen and are a perfect add-in for smoothies. Grapes are also a good staple, not only because you can freeze them, but you could make them into ice cubes for your wine or other drink!
Ready-to-Eat Frozen Dinners
Frozen meals have a bad reputation sometimes… but there are going to be days when you’re just not in the mood to cook. That’s why it’s good to keep a stack of healthy frozen meals on-hand for those days you just don’t have the energy.
Dairy Products
Dairy isn’t just milk, cheese, and yogurt. If you eat those items, great! Add them to your list because chances are, you’ll use them. Even if you don’t consume dairy products on their own, ingredients such as eggs, butter, and milk are included in thousands of meals, so they won’t go to waste!
Stock your refrigerator and pantry with these grocery staples and you’ll always have what you need on-hand.
Featured Image Credit: Maddi Bazzocco
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