The Essentials for Stocking a Healthy Kitchen
Keeping your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer well stocked is key to managing a healthy diet. When you have the basics on hand, you’re always ready to put together a well-balanced meal or snack, even when life gets busy! A well-stocked kitchen that is full of various, accessible, and ready-to-eat foods is an excellent way to start making healthier choices.
Pantry Essentials
- Low-sodium canned goods
- Black beans
- Chickpeas
- Tomatoes/tomato sauce
- Low-sodium broth
- Chicken
- Vegetable
- Olive oil & vinegar
- Nut butter
- Unsalted nuts & seeds
- Whole grains
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Oats
- Whole wheat pasta
- Whole-wheat bread
- Whole-wheat crackers
- Dried herbs & spices
- Sweet potatoes
- Low-sodium canned tuna
Refrigerator Essentials
- Fresh fruits & vegetables
- Apples
- Clementines
- Berries
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Eggs
- Lean proteins
- Chicken breasts
- Ground Turkey
- Fish
- Reduced-fat dairy products
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Fresh garlic
- Hummus or guacamole packets
Freezer Essentials
- Frozen fruit & vegetables
- Broccoli
- Green beans
- Zucchini noodles
- Riced cauliflower
- Spinach
- Corn
- Berries
- Peaches
- Mangoes
- Avoid added sauces and ingredients. Look for just the fruit or vegetable name on the ingredients list!
- Meat, poultry & fish
- Lean ground beef or turkey
- Chicken breasts
- Salmon burgers
- Homemade soups, sauces, etc.
- Whole-wheat bread products
Download the Free Resource
Access a printer-friendly version of the resource to reference later.