Meal planning is something that nutritionists adore. I’m one of them, so I would know! Pre-planning your family’s meals isn’t always feasible, even while it is true that doing so can help you eat healthier in the real world. Just keeping a healthy pantry stocked can be a significant step in the right way if you want to eat properly but haven’t yet perfected the art of meal planning with color-coded tabs and comprehensive Pinterest lists. Do you want to turn your kitchen into a one-stop store for the essentials of mealtime? Check out these 15 healthy pantry, refrigerator, and freezer staples.

Chickpeas in a can

Prep suggestions

You can make a variety of dinners (and lunches, too) with a can of chickpeas. To add more protein and fiber to soups or stews, drain the can and add the small legumes. Or mix them with sliced celery, lemon juice, and fresh dill for a wrap filling.

Naturally, there is also the world of chickpea salads, tacos, and desserts to pick from.

Put it away for later.

Chickpea leftovers can be frozen or stored in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container.

For optimal results, arrange the canned chickpeas in a single layer in the freezer on a baking sheet after drying them as much as possible. Once frozen, place them in an airtight container, such as a zip-top bag.

Health advantages In spite of their modest

Despite their lowly status, chickpeas are a nutritional powerhouse.

A single cup The cooked beans from Trusted Source have only 4 grams of fat, 14.5 grams of protein, and 12.5 grams of fiber.

They are also rich in folate, a B vitamin that aids in DNA formation and cell division, and manganese, which promotes bone health.

Breast of chicken

Prep ideas

There’s a reason why chicken is the most readily available meat per person in the United States.

For countless dishes, such as stir-fries, sandwiches, pastas, soups, casseroles, and more, it’s an absolute favorite.

As a protein to base dinner on, keep skinless, boneless chicken breasts on hand. Dinner is ready with just a whole grain (such as rice, quinoa, or pasta) and a vegetable (carrots, broccoli, or green beans, maybe?).

Add common herbs and spices from your pantry, such as dried basil, rosemary, oregano, or garlic powder, to your chicken before cooking to enhance its flavor.

Put it away for later.

Please excuse us while we perform a little chicken dance for the sake of chicken.

Simply put, this meat is very easy to preserve for future use in nutritious meals.

Although raw chicken breasts can be frozen in their original packaging, separating them into separate foil packets will make it easier to extract each one separately.

Freezing cooked chicken is also quite simple. Simply store it in the freezer for up to nine months in an airtight container.

Health advantages

The high-quality complete protein in this poultry choice can support your immune system, help you build muscle, and promote wound healing.