3 More Healthy Kitchen Essentials to Add to Your List

In these strange times that we're living in thanks to the pandemic, I’m doing my best to support local restaurants via takeout. Waitressing is how I paid for college and part of my private high school’s tuition - once a food server, always part of the food server-hood. With that being said, I’m still cooking more than I ever have because I want to stay safe, and honestly, I'm on a budget.

Essential food items for type 2 diabetes management

I always have essentials in my pantry, fridge, and freezer, so even when I don't feel like making a big meal, I can still make something tasty, comforting, and healthy!

Tofu

I like tofu and for many reasons. Tofu takes on the flavors of whatever you’re cooking it with, it’s loaded with good stuff, and is carb and calorie friendly - and it’s downright cheap! Sidebar: It’s even more economical when purchased in large tubs at your local Asian Market.

Once you press out the extra water, which is key, you can serve it stir-fried with veggies, scramble it like eggs with lots of spices and fixings (this tofu scramble recipe is awesome), or put it in wraps and chili. Tofu can also be baked and freezes easily to use in future stir-fries. Look, I'm aware that tofu can be an acquired taste for many, but trust me, once you learn to prepare it properly, which is so easy, you are going to love it and will always make sure that you have some on stand-by!

Garbanzo and black beans

Both garbanzo and black beans are great add-ins to vegan chili, salads, soups, or served as the main dish, over quinoa, rice, or veggie burgers. Canned or dry, these beans are easy on our wallets, have long shelf lives, and are great pinch hitters when you’re too tired to cook! FTR: I love garbanzo beans in my salads - either roasted or raw, and I love Cuban black beans. Also, black bean soup, and blacken burgers!

Apples

Apples are sturdy and delicious, economical, low in calories, and are loaded with fiber and vitamins! Apples are versatile - they can be eaten plain, topped with peanut butter, baked with cinnamon and nutmeg, or slow-roasted with squash.

What are some of your kitchen essentials?