Anyone who’s ever endeavored to stock a healthy kitchen knows that it’s much easier said than done. Most of us do all manner of healthy shopping for a week or so, and eventually a bag of processed sweet or salty treats makes its way in… and before you know it there are more corn chips than kale chips… and you’re back to square one.
We’ve found that when it comes to healthy shopping habits, less is more. It’s much more effective to ‘ease’ healthy habits into the kitchen, rather than toss out everything and try to start fresh with a bunch of products that you may or may not want.
Start with obvious substitutes – swapping out tortilla chips for cassava chips (see the folks at Siete Foods for some of the best grain free varieties we’ve ever tasted). Swap out chewy candies for dried fruit, and crunchy things with raw or lightly toasted/salted nuts. Only buy enough for one or two servings… remember less is more.
Then move to perishables, with fruit and veggies that you’re actually attracted to or interested in. It’s a noble notion to vow to drink all the celery juice in the world, but if you don’t really like the taste of celery… then all those stalks had to wilt and rot for nothing. Buy just enough fresh produce to last a couple of days. Eat what you buy, and then go shopping again.
Meal prep will save you every time. Carve out a block of 2-3 hours twice a week according to your personal schedule. Plan a menu, shop accordingly, and make what you shop for. Try to shop and prep in a single dedicated block to keep from ‘forgetting’ about meal prep or wasting perishable food. And don’t stop with just prepping meals. Make dipping sauces, dressings and sauce mixes to activate in a full meal at a later date.
Be curious and keep it interesting. It’s easy to fall into a ‘healthy food rut’ and recycle some of the same old tired dishes. Explore the internet for new and amazing ways to feed yourself. From Google to Youtube, there is no shortage of ideas and recipes to help you truly thrive and reach your highest, healthiest self.