Healthy Ingredients You Should Always Have In Your Kitchen
Every kitchen should have specific ingredients to make your meals healthy and tasty. The last thing you want to do is settle for an unhealthy dish because you ran out of some ingredients. You’ll also agree that running off to the grocery store while preparing a dish isn’t ideal. So, ensure that you stock your kitchen with these six ingredients for healthier, tastier meals.
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Dairy Products
Unless you’re lactose intolerant, dairy products are excellent sources of calcium. If you have kids at home, dairy products should be a must in your kitchen, as they are critical for bone health. In many cooking projects, you can also use dairy products like cheese, eggs, and milk. They are also easy to purchase, depending on the type of dairy product you want. For example, you can buy cheese online or visit a local farm for fresh milk and eggs.
Garlic
The health benefits of garlic are already well documented, from boosting the immune system to reducing cholesterol and high blood pressure. It’s no secret what garlic can do to improve the taste of most dishes. That’s why you must always have this ingredient in your kitchen. Garlic can easily replace most herbs and seasoning without affecting the taste. Plus, they have quite a long shelf life and can stay fresh for long. Not only does it taste great, but it has anti-inflammatory and immune boosting effects.
Coconut and Olive Oil
Every kitchen needs cooking oil, as they play a crucial role in many dishes. But vegetable cooking oil isn’t ideal, considering its many health risks. Coconut and olive oil are healthier alternatives for your kitchen, whether you need to make salad dressing, saute vegetables, or deep-fried meat. Coconut oil, especially, offers numerous nutritional benefits, including burning fat and boosting skin health.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are better sources of fibre compared to other grain types. They also offer more nutritional benefits, such as magnesium, potassium, selenium, folate, iron, and vitamin B, to mention a few. Various studies have shown that regularly eating whole grains can reduce your risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes due to increased fiber which has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Dried and Canned Beans
Known for their long shelf lives, dried and canned beans are among the healthiest non-perishable foods to have in your kitchen. Their rich protein content also makes them an excellent alternative to meat, not to mention the added benefit of fibre. You can add different varieties of beans to various dishes, from soups to salads. And, speaking of salads, the next ingredient is also important.
Fruits and Vegetables
This list will not be complete without mentioning fruits and vegetables. Not only can you eat fruits and most vegetables raw, but you can also use them in various dishes. For example, you can serve vegetable salad as a side dish or snack on some fruit smoothies. The only problem with most fruits and vegetables is their shelf life, as you’ll need to find ways to keep them as fresh as possible. For starters, you can cut them up in cubes to freeze them till they’re ready for use.
