Must-Haves In The Kitchen

kateistoned

What are your must-haves in the kitchen to create easy meals and good snacks?

I'm going grocery shopping and looking to spice up what I eat (I live on protein drinks, turkey sandwiches, and frozen entrees).

mrsclc

Definitely a lot of fresh fruit/ veggies. I also love twizzlers & Quaker rice cakes. I would be careful with too many frozen meals do to the amount of sodium in them.

achampionsheart

toufayan bakeries wholesome wheat wraps
organic girl 50/50 mixed greens
peanut butter
fresh fruit/blueberries/sliced apples/frozen fruit for smoothies
fresh veggies
chicken
turkey meat
black beans
salsa

Bethannny

Fruit, lettuce, chicken and bread are all must haves for me

Dootzy1

Greek yogurt, lowfat cheese sticks, salsa, sweet potatoes, popcorn, low-fat wheat tortillas, oatmeal, fiber one bars.

eating4balance

Egg beaters
Baby carrots
Natural peanut butter
Protein powder
Bananas
Low calorie bread/wraps
Almonds
Fresh veggies
Low sodium tuna
Apples
Oatmeal

angela828

fruit (apples, oranges, watermelon, strawberries)
salad mixers (lettuce, cucumbers, shredded cheese, the chinese noodles)
weight watchers jello... SO GOOD and only 10 calories, I eat 1 everyday at work haha
whole wheat bread
whole grain english muffins
frozen broccoli

ahappyapple

Air popped popcorn, string cheese, peanut butter, oatmeal, granola bars, pre-portioned snacks, fruit...

eating4balance

Greek yogurt, lowfat cheese sticks, salsa, sweet potatoes, popcorn, low-fat wheat tortillas, oatmeal, fiber one bars.

Yes. Greek yogurt and air popped popcorn are the best!

aejbx4x7s

Eggs! So cheap and versatile. Also, spinach, garlic, and onions are cheap and go well with almost everything.

MZNIKKIBOO

BUMP

Jonicha26

I like to keep instant oatmeal around for quick breakfasts, Love laughing cow cheese or babybel cheese -- both pretty low in calories (I also eat cottage cheese some mornings), I am obsessed with Nature's Own thin sandwich rounds and thin bagels -- great for those turkey sandwiches!, grilled chicken (I usually buy frozen and then grill a few breasts or several strips to have ready in the fridge for a few days), Easy fruits and veggies like celery, grape or cherry tomatoes, spinach to mix into things, I drink a glass of low sodium V8 almost every day (with my nose plugged...haha), raspberries, grapes, apples, strawberries, bananas.

I just try to have lots of options and they always say things that will go bad eventually are better for you... so, I'm trying to mainly shop the outside perimeter of the grocery store and eat less and less prepackaged junk food!

avenathus

I almost always have:

Salad mix/mixed greens
Frozen veggies (because I only cook for myself and when I buy fresh they end up going to waste!! )
Greek yogurt
Oatmeal (quick oats)
Liquid egg whites
Peanut butter
Bananas
Quinoa and/or brown rice
Frozen chicken
Minced garlic
Tortilla wraps
Protein powder

I think those are my main essentials!

leanan21

grilled chicken to add to salads
green vegetables, esp. romaine lettuce and spinach
whatever kind of fruit is in season
cherry tomatoes
eggs
black beans
vegetarian "refried" beans
fresh salsa
whole wheat tortillas
peanut butter
hummus
almonds
raisins
oatmeal

lollie1285

I love this thread! These things are staples for me:

Eggs
Wheat Toast
English Muffins
Kashi Cereal
Bagel/Sandiwch Thins
Smart Balance Buttery Spread
Fruits: Bananas, Oranges, Strawberries, Blueberries, Pineapple, Nectarines, Mango, Apples, etc.
Vitalicious Vitatops
Laughing Cow creamy wedges
Ritz Crackers
Veggies to dip into the Laughing Cow cheese: Carrots, etc.
Cottage Doubles
Yogurts (I love Dannon Light and Fit)
Baby Spinach Leaves
Ranch Dressing
Low fat shredded cheese and low fat american cheese slices
Boneless, skinless chicken breast
Whole wheat pasta

I could go on forever, but those are the foods I eat the most.

kitinboots

Other than fruit, I try not to buy anything that can be eaten without preparation. Im less likely to snack if I have to chop or cook something.