My Top 10 Fridge Staples

Between family get-togethers, company parties, and holiday shopping, this season is always busy. It’s easy to get thrown off your normal routine of cooking and eating healthy with all these events. During this time, I heavily depend on these healthy fridge staples to get me through. Gotta have all hands on deck health and energy-wise during this season, therefore it’s essential for me to have these food items available to me. Here are my 10 refrigerator must-haves always and especially during the holiday season.

1. Spinach or dark leafy greens
   1. Whether adding to my eggs in the morning, soups in the evening, or just making a simple salad, these are a must-have for me. They are a great source of vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, iron, calcium, and vitamin C.
2. Unsweetened soy milk
   1. Soy intake in moderate amounts may have a protective effect against cancer risk. Moderate amounts includes about 2-3 servings of whole soy foods daily (i.e. soy milk, edamame, tofu, etc.). Because I don’t consume tofu and edamame on a regular basis, I try to consume at least 1/2-1 cup of unsweetened soy milk daily. It’s a great source of soy-based protein (as compared to many other non-dairy based milks), potassium, vitamin B12, folate, calcium, and vitamin D.
3. Plain Greek yogurt
   1. My go-to uses of plain Greek yogurt is rarely for eating just plain yogurt. It’s one of my favorite healthy swaps in dips, sauces, and spreads. I find myself continually subbing it for sour cream in dips and Mexican cuisine. It’s low in added sugar, high in protein, and a great source of calcium. Try spreading on toast with sliced apples topped with a honey, nut butter, and coconut milk drizzle for a delicious mid-afternoon snack.
4. Ground flaxseed
   1. Some people may not store in the refrigerator but I often do just to keep it as fresh as possible. Ground flaxseed meal is a great source of fiber, protein, and iron. With 2 tablespoons providing 2430 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, it’s also packed full of all those heart healthy fats. It adds a lovely nutty flavor to your favorite cookies, energy bites, fruit smoothies, or my favorite…old-fashioned oatmeal.
5. Avocado
   1. Oh the holy grail! We all know avocado is all the rage right now, but honestly how can you resist. It spreads beautifully on toast and blends easily in your favorite smoothie or savory sauce. It’s jam-packed with the heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and provides at least 20 vitamins and minerals in one-third a medium avocado (one serving). Enough said.
6. Kombucha
   1. My booch 😉 This fermented tea beverage is a probiotic that can help maintain gut microbiota. I try to drink at least one Kombucha a week to maintain my gut health. Taking care of your gut health is essential to support regular bowel and immune function. Plus, there are ample flavors to choose from…don’t tell me you can’t find one you like.
7. Cage-free eggs
   1. Once while traveling the country, I drove past a large semi truck carrying caged chickens that were literally packed in tighter than sardines. My face while driving past the truck turned to the driver in pure horror. I never looked back. Cage-free eggs fa’ life. Plus they’re delicious and the yolk is always plump and never saggy (ew saggy!). Eggs are good any time of the day for me…breakfast, snack, lunch, brinner, you name it. Eggs provide high quality protein and are bursting at the seams with great nutrients, such as B-vitamins, choline, iron, vitamin D, lutein and zeaxanthin.
8. String cheese
   1. I must admit I never string the cheese. I eat it by the whole bite-size. To those who have the patience to pull apart the strings of cheese and eat them slowly, I applaud you. I don’t have that patience. This snack helps hold me over between meals due to 6-7 grams of protein. It provides a good source of calcium and limited fat (if you are purchasing the light version!) for all my low fat friends.
9. Hummus
   1. The phrase “hummus is yummus” holds true in my mind. I often make my own (see here for a chipotle pumpkin version), but in the case I don’t, I almost always have a store-bought container on hand. Hummus is a great plant-based snack, blending cooked chickpeas and tahini sauce as the classic foundation. Spread on toast and/or pita bread or enjoy with your favorite crackers and fresh vegetables.
10. Baby carrots
    1. Well what on earth are you going to eat with the hummus?! Dem baby carrots. Baby carrots are a great go-to snack. Ready-to-eat, low in calories and can be paired with hummus of course, your favorite nut butter, grapes, veggie dip, or just eaten by themselves. Carrots offer excellent sources of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.

What are some your favorite refrigerator staples? Comment below 🙂

-EAW