15 Ingredients That Make Preparing Easy, Healthy Meals a Cinch
May 22, 2018
When we're strapped for time, healthy eating is a challenge, but these days there are tons of products we can pick up at the grocery store that make cooking a nutritious meal a breeze. These are 15 of our favorite healthy ingredients to have on hand.
365 7 Grain & Lentil Blend ($3): When we're looking for a quick meal, getting protein and fiber isn't usually at the top of our list. Keep this lentil and grain blend around to add both to your meals, whether you're making a frozen veggie-studded pilaf, a simple broth and grain soup, or a tasty sauté.
Melissa's Steamed Baby Beets ($4): Melissa's pre-cooked baby beets are so much easier to deal with than actually roasting and peeling beets from scratch.
Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi ($3): Cauliflower gnocchi is the latest Trader Joe's item to achieve immediate cult-fave status. Pick up a bag so you can enjoy your favorite Italian meal the low-carb, vegan way.
365 Organic Frozen White Quinoa ($4): Sauté this quinoa until warmed through and serve it as a side dish or add it to your favorite stir-fry, soup, or stew for extra protein and fiber.
Noka Sweet Potato Goji Superfood Blend Pouch ($2): Don't forget breakfast! If you don't have time to actually blend up a smoothie, grab one of these pouches instead. This one's made with a blend of sweet potato and goji berry.
Trader Joe's Mexican Style Corn & Quinoa Salad ($5): We're all about ingredients that can be served more than one way. This salad definitely fits the bill. Eat it as-is, stuff into taco shells, spoon into lettuce wraps, or scoop it up with crunchy tortilla chips.
Cucina & Amore Quinoa Meal ($4): Choose from three different flavors of these quinoa meals the next time you need a bite to eat on-the-go. They'll keep you full without making you sluggish like a drive-thru meal would. You can also use them as meal starters, serving them with extra veggies and a protein to create a shareable entrée.
Sambazon Organic Original Acai Berry and Guarana Smoothie Packs ($7): Enjoy an antioxidant-rich acai bowl in the comfort of your own home with these smoothie packs. Just blend with your favorite ingredients and load on the toppings.
Trader Joe's Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry ($3): Low-carb cauliflower takes the place of rice in this stir-fry blend. Keep a few bags in your freezer so you're never left wondering what to make for dinner.
Full Green Sweet Potato Rice ($3): Made with nothing but sweet potatoes, this frozen rice alternative can be used in a number of ways. Use as the base for a low-carb stuffing, spoon into your favorite chili, or stir-fry with tofu and veggies for dinner.
Steamfresh Selects Whole Grain Brown Rice ($2): Brown rice is much better for you than white (hello, fiber!), but it can take almost three times as long to cook from scratch. That's why we love these bags of frozen brown rice, which you can steam to fluffy perfection right in the packaging.
Trader Joe's Seedy Almond Salad Topper ($4): Add protein and heart-healthy fat to your salads and grain bowls with this nutty mix. It's just a little spicy with onion-y nigella seeds adding an extra kick.
Green Giant Veggie Spirals Zucchini ($4): It looks like zoodles are here to stay now that you can get them pre-spiralized in the freezer section of your grocery store. You get all the benefits without the frustration of trying to turn a vegetable into noodles yourself.
Trader Joe's Healthy 8 Veggie Mix ($3): You'll rarely find us without a pack of this crunchy veggie mix in our fridge. Eat it as a salad, turn it into slaw, or supplement recipes that could use an extra helping of veggies.
Trader Joe's Riced Cauliflower and Broccoli ($3): Cauliflower is our go-to rice, quinoa, and couscous replacement, but broccoli is delicious too. Sprinkle some green flavor in your meals and try it in stir-fries.
Follow us on Pinterest for more quick and healthy meal ideas.
Follow us on Pinterest for more quick and healthy meal ideas.
(Photos via Trader Joe’s and Instacart)
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