One of the top questions I’m asked is “What are the most healthy foods to stock in my refrigerator?”
I think on some level we all like to know what’s going on in other peoples fridges. Yes, it’s somewhat voyeuristic, but it also can be a great source of inspiration for meals and snacks. There are days when my fridge is running on empty and there are other days when it’s packed with great, healthy stuff. We all need a little inspiration from time to time.
Here are some healthy foods you’ll find in my fridge.
Garlic
Garlic is one of my all-time favorite spices. I add it to almost everything from pizza to roasted vegetables and broccoli. Not only does garlic add exceptional flavor to food, it also has several other super powers.
Onions
Whenever I cook onions are generally part of the recipe. Onions have a variety of medicinal effects. Early American settlers used wild onions to treat colds, coughs, and asthma, and to repel insects. Have you ever tried re-growing onions or using them for an ear infection? The uses are endless!
Tempeh
Tempeh is relatively new to those of us in the west, but it’s been a staple for hundreds of years for many living in Asia. Tempeh is made from cooked and slightly fermented soybeans and formed into a rectangular patty. The consistency is similar to that of a veggie burger. Many use it as a meat substitute in dishes. It has a nutty, grainy flavor.
Organic Apples
Apples have been voted the best after school snack by my middle son. Apples consistently make the Environmental Working Groups ‘Dirty Dozen’ list, which means you should by the organic version whenever possible. Although I don’t like my apples cold, I do store them in the refrigerator to help extend their shelf life. We have an entire drawer dedicated to apples.
Baking Soda
There are so many amazing uses for baking soda. I use it for everything from baking to cleaning. Think outside of the cookie box and the baking soda options are endless. Baking soda is considered very safe and non-toxic. So many foods contain baking soda. It doesn’t taste very good straight up, but you technically could take a teaspoon of baking soda and eat it.
Almond Milk
Many people are opting for dairy free milk alternatives and fortunately there are some great options out there. Almond milk is a staple in our fridge since it is lactose and cholesterol free. I generally buy unsweetened and organic almond milk. Maybe someday I’ll be adventurous and make my own.
Braggs Liquid Aminos (instead of soy sauce)
I’ve been using Braggs Liquid Aminos
Carrots
Carrots are a rich source of beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant which can be converted into vitamin A in the body to help maintain healthy skin. We never peel our carrots, just give them a good wash and they are ready to eat!
Broccoli
Broccoli is one of those veggies that’s either hit or miss with most kids (some adults too). Just mentioning broccoli can make the cutest child crinkle up their nose and say “ewww”. My kids are in the “we like broccoli” camp. No crinkled noses. Steamed is their prep of choice, which gets a wee bit boring after a while (but I’ll take it).
Eggs
We use eggs a lot. We were members of a CSA for many years and received half a dozen organicfresh eggs each week directly from the farm. Prior to our CSA we were buying organic eggs mainly from our local Whole Foods Market. Eggs can last for a long time in the fridge. To test if an egg is too old to eat place it in a bowl of cold water. Eggs that float at the surface are bad and should not be consumed.
What healthy foods are in your fridge?
Inside the refrigerator | Stock Photo © Michał Adamczyk #1936046
Sounds like my fridge! I have many of those same items on hand at all times! I also keep yogurt and homemade granola. I never knew you could substitute Bragg’s Liquid Aminos for soy sauce! Thanks!
Kristina (The Greening Of Westford) recently posted..Think Before You Trash
Jicama, agave, greek yogurt, quinoa, couscous are my staples!
We have many of the same items in our fridge, but I also like to keep a bunch of kale in there (because I’m currently on hooked on kale chips) and Organic Greek Yogurt. It’s such a great replacement for sour cream…..and yummy in my smoothies, too.
Cathy recently posted..EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates 20th Year!
These last few years have been some of the first I have ever gone without apples. We have SO many fresh fruits in the summer in CA I try not to buy apples grown elsewhere and only eat them in season. But if I can get them from WA or OR, we have them. Apples are a nearly perfect snack and my kids never seem to tire of them. I love how portable they are. You don’t actually store your garlic and onions in the fridge, do you? Never tried tempeh or liquid aminos. We ALWAYS have to have eggs in the fridge. I can go a long time without going to the store if I have eggs and milk. I also almost always have organic fresh lettuce greens and cilantro – which are available year-round at my farmer’s market. I also ALWAYS have tomatoes in my house when they are in season. Fun topic, Lori!
Betsy (Eco-novice) recently posted..Finding Non-toxic Lipstick Using the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
I have most of these in my pantry already bit I’ve never tried tempeh or brags liquid aminos. Can you find them at a regular grocery store or just at health food/natural food stores?
Calley recently posted..10 “Green” Things Every Baby Registry Should Include
Hi Betsy, It always amazes me that apples are available year round in the northeast! I certainly look forward to summer and fall when there’s a wide variety of fruits that are actually in season. I do keep my onions and garlic in the fridge! I’ve tried in and out and it works for me. Everything lasts much longer. Tempeh is one of my favorites. I love it in stir fry. Liquid aminos taste very similar to soy sauce and I use as a replacement in many different dishes. Tomatoes are a good one to add to the list!
Great list, Lori! I’d add avocados to mine. Yup, I bulk up on green ones when they are on sale and keep them in the fridge, pulling out a few every week to ripen.
Kim recently posted..On the Moo-ve with Stonyfield: K-Bear’s 1st Day Skiing
Than Kim! I’m the only one in our family who likes avocados so there are rarely any in the fridge. I like the idea of bulking up on greens and storing them to use on an as-needed basis.
We have most of these but also have kale and avocados always on hand. Love adding them to smoothies and B eats avocados like they are going out of style.
Jen @ Go Green recently posted..Kicking Toxic Air Freshener to the Curb
I wish my kids ate avocados. I’m the only one! Kale is a great staple to keep in the fridge. I use it in my smoothies too!
Ditto on avocado! I use them in place of mayo on sandwiches and to make an awesome Green Goddess dressing!
Paige recently posted..My Compost Bin Was Invaded: Can We Make This Work Again?
That sounds great Paige. I’m the only avocado lover in my family!
Carrots and eggs are always in our fridge too. I also keep lemons and limes on hand because they work for so many things even cleaning.
Check, check, and check! I think I have most of these foods – great list! I need to eat more tempeh, but thanks to my backyard vegetable garden – we get plenty of delicious broccoli and carrots.
If there is no ingredient list, it is in my fridge. From the garlic, onion, broccoli you mentioned… to apples, oranges and strawberries.
First garlic should not be in the fridge. And neither should tomatoes!!!!! I don’t understand why people put tomatoes in the fridge! They aren’t in the fridge section at the grocery store! When put in the fridge they freeze and lose the majority of their nutrients. It also becomes miely and inedible. Keep the tomatoes on your counter in a metal or ceramic bowl. Never plastic because it has too much bacteria.
I have similar opinion like Jen. Fridge and refrigerator systems are always good to increase the life of food items. But, there are certain fruits and vegetables that you should not put in the Fridge. Not just “not”. Never. There are certain fruits and vegetables that could loose its taste, colour or quality when refrigerated. Here is the list of fruits and vegetables that you should never put in fridge.Read [email protected]://www.ripecandy.com/fruits-and-vegetables-that-you-should-not-refrigerate-2343/