Top 10 Healthy Convenience Foods (That You Probably Have in the Pantry?)

 Top 10 Healthy Convenience Foods (That You Probably Have in the Pantry?)

Via Fooducate -

"It’s time for a food attitude adjustment; convenience is not just limited to low-nutrient food choices. Plenty of healthy foods can be easily stored and whipped up in minutes in the time it would take you to pick up takeout.  The supermarket is home to a number of convenient whole foods that can help you turn out healthy meals in minutes; here are my top picks." 

Go look in your kitchen, I bet you have most of this "list" already.  

I have 90% of it.  However, EATING IT is another thing, right?  I mean, I HAVE it at my disposal, but do I CHOOSE these items if there are other options near them?  Erm, no.  

The answer?  Get the other options out of sight, or don't even HAVE THEM IN THE HOUSE, Mama.    (Common sense - IT WORKS.  Do I always use it?  Heh. No.)

*going to check my bare bones kitchen (my kids were on vacation for two weeks, and I went away, this house is void of food) for...*

1. Fresh fruit. The world’s original “fast food", fresh fruit such as apples, pears, bananas, peaches and oranges comes with natural grab and go packaging.  (I have fresh apples, grapes, bananas!)

2. Bagged salad greens. Just toss a bag of pre-washed salad greens into your shopping cart and you’ve got a quick side salad for dinner. Or make salad your entrée by adding chopped cooked chicken, fresh vegetables and a splash of olive oil.  (Nope.  I always buy two bags of mixed greens when I shop though.  I eat greens with Zero Cal Dressing for a damn near negative calorie meal.)

3. Fish fillets. Top an individually frozen fish fillet with herbs, garlic and lemon, throw it under the broiler, and serve it with a side of grains and salad for a quick, tasty meal. (In the deep freezer.  But, do we ever use them? )

4. Whole Grains. Place whole grains such as quinoa, bulgur, brown rice and wheat berries into a rice cooker with water (according to package directions), push the button and walk away. Then toss the steamed grains with cooked lean meat, herbs, garlic, and chopped vegetables for a delicious, nutritious dinner. (I have quinoa, bulgur wheat and whole grain rices.)

5. Yogurt. Throw a cup of yogurt into a briefcase or enjoy it as an after-dinner treat. (I have some Light and Fit yogurt for the kids.  Because they like it.  I am not a fan.  I always have plain fat free Greek yogurt too.)

6. Frozen vegetables. While there’s nothing better than fresh vegetables, if you’re in a rush just pop frozen vegetables into the microwave and you’ve got a healthy sidedish in a flash.  (I have frozen broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, edamame, collard greens, etc...)

7. Canned beans. Rinse a can of beans to remove sodium by up to 36 percent and stir them into salads, sidedishes, soups, and stews.  (You betcha!  Kidney, black, chickpeas, cannellini...)

8. Canned tomatoes. Stir a can of low-sodium tomatoes into pastas, soups, sauces, stews, and casseroles for fast comfort food.  (Always.  I have plum tomatoes, whole, and chopped.)

9. Nuts. A handful of nuts like almonds, walnuts or peanuts makes a perfect nutrient-rich complement for lunch on the run.  (I have slivered almonds, raw almonds, and walnuts in the freezer.  We eat them like crazy -- the good ones are all gone.)

10. Oatmeal. The perfect solution for breakfast; just pop it into the microwave and add milk, nuts and fruit. (I have about 14839849 boxes of various kinds for the kids in every variety of low sugar.  I HATE OATMEAL in it's breakfast-bowl form. I wish I could do it.  Sensory-overload.)

 What's in your pantry? 

Thanks for the tips.  I never thoght of them as a fast or convenience food. 
Z

 Not fast -- convenient - supposedly because they're in the house - instead of grabbing something just as quick, you know?

I have all that stuff except the frozen fish, I do have 5 two lb bags of frozen shrimp though, good sale.  Shimp is the only seafood I will buy frozen, gotta have fresh always.

I have a few types of frozen veggies, but then again I like em fresh.  I have some tomatoes I bought from an old man on the side of the road that are to die for.  Caprese salad for lunch!

I bought some organic barley the other day, great substitute for rice and better for ya.

I panic if I run out of canned tomatoes or beans.

I've got barley in the pantry. Forgot all about it. I may fix it this weekend now that I remember it's there, lol.

 

Didn't I just hear about how canned tomatoes are one of the most toxin-filled foods? Something about the acidity of the tomatoes breaking down the lining of the inside of the can, which contains that oh-so-evil BPA. I personally don't really care, but enough people do that I heard about it on the radio *shrug*

I do not eat whole grains, oatmeal (which IS a whole grain), or fruit (well, VERY rarely) since I focus on eating low in carbs. And no bagged salad greens - they always go bad before I finish them! Which leads me to...why, yes, I DO have a TON of frozen veggies! Like you, I've got broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach, and I also have green beans with almonds, baby/petit brussels sprouts, and some sort of stir fry mix. Now if only I would actually cook at home...

I am all in with #9. I have a jar of salted macadamia nuts in my desk at work and random containers of various flavored almonds around my house and office (cocoa roasted, cinnamon roasted, habanero bbq, salt n' vinegar...).

The only other convenient foods I keep on hand are cheese (LOTS of cheeses) and hard boiled eggs (I am even so lazy as to buy them already cooked AND peeled!).

Same here! You and I eat very similarly. I get a lot of negative feedback about not eating whole grains. I eat mostly proteins followed by vegetables. I have a shake every morning and my snacks are primarily eggs, almonds, and cheese. Works for me!

I don't think raw grains are particularly convenient. I have a ton in the house... becaues we never eat them, just buy them.

As for fresh fruit and veggies, I buy them too. Then throw most of them out.

Instead I grab stuff that requires no prep. Like cheese sticks. Protein bars.

 This is a great thread. thanks.

I do have a few convience foods/tricks that I resort to.

1. Every sunday I cut up a whole big block of cheese, (the 2 pound size from Costco) and put it in a tupperware in the fridge.  When I need a quick snack or breakfast I grab a couple of slices and eat on the run.  I also keep a box of triscuits on hand since they take a long time to eat and are full of fibre.

2. Cheese strings - fast, easy and yummy.  Jus****ch for them on sale.

3. protien drinks-  I use waterbottles that I have saved and washed and i pre-package individual servings on protien powder in them.   I just grab a bottle half fill with milk, cold coffee or water, shake well and then fill to the top.  To do this, you need to use a better quality protien powder that doesn't need to be blended to get rid of the lumps. (although just letting the drink sit far a few mins and shaking again gets rid of most lumps, I find.)  Champion brand and isoflex work well.  (time saving health tip - add a scoop of benefibre in the same bottle and a dose of cheap calcium pill, the pill melts on contact with liquid and there is one dose of calcium in for the day, it a three in one drink.)

4.  pre package your leftovers, I always put my leftovers away in portion sizes.  That way i can grab a container from the fridge, microwave and boom healthy meal in 2 mins flat.  Works well when you are on the run.  THrow the food in the microwave, throw a fork in your purse. By the time you have found your keys and gotten your coat on, the microwave is done. Take the food with you, it is homemade take out.

CNC