Stock a Smarter Kitchen [Packaged Goods for a Healthier You] + WIN

It has been said many times before that to live a healthier lifestyle you should ditch all packaged and processed foods. While I agree with ditching processed foods and that there are a high proportion of packaged foods which are quite literally ‘rubbish’ for you, there are actually a bunch of packaged goods which you SHOULD be stocking in your kitchen which are great for a healthy lifestyle!

Today I wanted to showcase the packaged goods which you should have on hand for a smarter kitchen which will have you (and your family) reaching for yummy and healthy foods when you are feeling hungry!

I have split the packaged goods into 5 different categories – Protein, Carbohydrates, Fats, Fridge & Pantry. While this is not an exhaustive list this list should definitely help you stock a smarter kitchen!

Protein
// Can or Packaged Meat
Whether you fancy tinned tuna or tinned chicken, or even the Tegal meal makers you can get in the fridge section having some easy meat on hand for protein always make a nice easy meal.
//Tinned Beans
Tinned beans are great for things like homemade Nacho’s or to bulk up a crockpot meal and add in extra protein. They are also a good source of protein for vegetarians.
// Greek Yoghurt Sachets
If you don’t have a yoghurt maker then you should do! Check out the Hansells Yoghurt maker which comes with two handy 500ml containers and be sure to purchase plain unsweetened greek yoghurt sachets for your lowest sugar option to have on hand.
// Protein Powder
Find a protein powder you like and suits your budget and keep some on hand for those times when you really want a sweet drink or you need something to bridge the gap between meals.

Carbohydrates

// Rice
Rice is always a nice easy option for dinner, whether you love or hate brown or white rice choose which ever is going to work for you!
// Quinoa
If you like quinoa and it’s within your budget then it’s another handy option to have in the pantry for an easy meal.
// CousCous
Couscous has to be one of the quickest carbohydrates ever, seriously! Boil the jug, pour over the couscous with a little stock powder and within a couple of minutes you’ll be eating!
// Real Foods Rice Thins
I’ve been enjoying the real food rice thins lately with some marmite and a little bit of cheese on top, they are also great with a bit of peanut butter or just by themselves when you want a little bit of crunch.
// Oats
Plain oats make a great breakfast or snack, especially as they are very low sugar. I will often have oats and protein powder for a quick, easy and healthy breakfast too.
// Low Sugar Muesli
I have recently tried the sanitarium options muesli which is a great low sugar option for those who want a little something extra when it comes to breakfast other than oats.
//Dried Dates
Dried dates are a must have in my pantry because you can sweeten so many things with them, and they are tasty dipped in peanut butter for a quick snack too. Try making some bliss balls with them!

Fats

// Nuts
Choose the type of nuts you enjoy and the ones that fit your budget, they aren’t super cheap but they are a great source of fat and combined with dried dates make a super easy bliss ball for snacks.
// Nut Butter
We always have peanut butter on hand, as much as I’d love to always have almond butter on hand the price does stop me. Choose what you enjoy and try to keep to a no added salt or sugar variety.
// Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is my go to in baking, especially when I need the goods to harden slightly once made as coconut oil hardens when it is cold. You can buy Blue Coconut coconut oil in the supermarkets which is great not having to go to a speciality store.

Fridge

// Hummus
Hummus is great to have on hand (either home made or purchased) as sometimes you just feel like something to dip you carrots in or to spread on your corn thins. Find one with only a few ingredients.
// Frozen Berries
Frozen berries are fantastic to have in the fridge or freezer for those times when you want a smoothie or to add to frozen bananas to make homemade ‘ice cream’.
// Frozen Vege
I’ve mentioned before that we go through a lot of frozen vegetables, sometimes it’s a pain in the butt to use fresh vegetables and frozen just makes your life easier.
//Crushed Garlic
We put crushed garlic on our chicken frequently and it’s great to be able to just throw a tiny little bit on and it transforms the meal into something awesome!
//Egg Whites
Okay egg whites are not a necessity but they can be handy to have in the fridge to add with whole eggs in meals or to add to smoothies if that’s your thing.

Pantry

// Herbs
Herbs can really transform a dish, you can either buy dried herbs or try something like the Gourmet Garden lightly dried range. The herbs you require will differ depending on your tastes.
//Spices
We always have paprika, tumeric, curry powder and cumin on hand but you can go with whatever you use. Just like garlic, spices can really transform a dish.
// Oatcakes
Nairns oatcakes are another nice packaged option to have, they are a low sugar option for when you just feel like a little snack that is low in sugar.
// Vanilla Extract
Queen has come out with a new range of vanilla products including the madagascan vanilla extract which just lifts items like bliss ball so is always nice to have in the pantry.
// Seeds
Pumpkin, Sunflower, Chia – whatever type of seeds you like and enjoy. I’m personally not a chia fan but you can make heaps of yummy sounding deserts and breakfasts with them and the other seeds are great for making homemade granola go further (and seeds are cheaper than nuts)
//Herbal Teas
I find herbal teas fantastic for when I get that sweet craving in the afternoon, they are also great when you feel hungry but know you are really just thirsty but you really would rather not have a glass of water.
// Tinned Tomato
Tinned tomatoes are a blessing when it comes to crockpot meals, throw in some meat a tin of tomatoes and some herbs, bulk up with some tinned beans if you feel the need and then cook some rice/quinoa or couscous to go with it – easy dinner!

We have two packages of goodies to give away thanks to the following companies:

Real Food Rice Thins / Colmans / Blue Coconut Coconut Oil / Nairns Oatcakes /  Sanitarium / Queen / Go SuperFood

Each package includes the following:
1 Yoga Mat
2 Sanitarium Options Muesli (one of each flavour!)
Colmans Mustard Powder
5 Packs of Real Food Rice Thins

And Either:

Nairns Oatcake Pack & 400g Tub of Blue Coconut Coconut Oil OR Go SuperFood Chia Seeds & Queen Vanilla Extract

To be in to win simply comment below and let me know if you’d prefer the prize with Nairns Oatcakes & Blue Coconut Coconut Oil or Go SuperFood Chia Seeds & Queen Vanilla Extract

Competition closes 8th November 8pm