Nikki Boswell, Nutritionist for the November 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge provides a list of her favourite pantry and fridge ingredient basics that make healthy meal preparation really quick and easy:
Keeping the fridge, freezer and pantry stocked with all the basics you need makes it so much easier to prepare quick, healthy meals that suit the tastes of the whole family, no matter how short on time you are.
The November 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge recipes include a few staple ingredients that you should always have on hand to help you keep on top of your meal planning and reduce meal preparation time, while still being versatile enough for you to make a variety of healthy, delicious recipes.
Must haves in the fridge, freezer and pantry for the November Challenge are:
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Rolled Oats
- Quinoa
- Popping Corn
- Reduced Fat Natural Yoghurt
- Eggs
- Chia seeds
- Canned Chickpeas (no added salt)
- Reduced fat ricotta
- Reduced fat tasty cheese
- Canned Corn (no added salt), and
- Heaps of fruit and veg
Although not necessarily a staple ingredient in the November Challenge, my fridge, freezer and pantry are also never without:
- Tin Tomatoes (no added salt)
- Baked Beans (no added salt)
- Reduced Fat UHT milk
- Canned Lentils (no added salt)
- Dried Italian Herbs
- Frozen Berries
- Wholemeal flour
- Wholemeal pasta and/or brown rice
- Olive oil
- Tin Tuna or Salmon, and
- A variety of plain nuts and seeds
These ingredients are hugely versatile and can be used to make a range of quick healthy meals and snacks, like sweet or savoury pancakes, lentil Bolognese, mini muffins with berries, Mexican beans and rice, creamy tuna pasta, berry breakfast bowls and parfaits.
Delicious, healthy food doesn’t need to be fancy or take hours to prepare.
Nikki Boswell, Nutritionist.
