August 26, 2018
I’m sure every one of us has food staples in our kitchen. Various food items that we always keep on hand no matter what. The things we fall back on and rely on to keep us nourished and satisfied day to day within our diets.
I was thinking about this the other day and discovered six vital fruit and vegetable items that I consider staples in my diet. These are items that I use a lot in my cooking and consume daily. Not only are they delicious food items, but they also contain amazing health benefits as well.
The Top 6 Produce Staples In My Diet
Garlic
I add freshly chopped garlic to almost everything I eat. It’s a great addition to my salads, stir fry, pasta and sometimes I even put it on my toast with some vegan butter. In addition to adding flavour to my meals, garlic also has some amazing health benefits. Garlic has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. It acts like a natural antibiotic and helps prevent colds. It helps lower blood pressure, helps purify the blood and is also high in phytonutrients.
Spinach
Spinach is my favourite leafy green and I always have a large supply of it on hand in my fridge. I add spinach to every smoothie I make and enjoy large spinach salads. Spinach is also a great addition to sandwiches and tofu scramble. Spinach is high in iron, vitamin A and is a rich source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant flavonoids and carotenoids.
Honey Crisp Apples
I love apples. They are my go-to snack when I’m on the go. My favourite apples are honey crisp but I enjoy any variety. I always have at least 4-5 apples on hand at home. They make a great snack at work or before a hike. Apples are high in fiber; in fact, the pectin fiber in them has detoxifying properties. They even help clean your teeth. Apples are my favourite “fast food” and act like mini multi-vitamins. They have a little bit of everything in terms of vitamins and minerals in them.
Bananas
Bananas are a must have in my smoothies and I’ve also been adding them to my protein milkshakes. Of course, bananas are also a great fast food snack for on the go. They are high in potassium and are also a source of iron, selenium, and magnesium.
Bell Peppers
It really doesn’t matter what colour, I love all bell peppers. Stir fry and salads are staple meals in my diet and they always contain bell peppers. Bell peppers are high in vitamins A and C, folic acid, potassium, and niacin. They also contain phytonutrients, bioflavonoids, and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Avocado
Avocados are my favourite food. They are a great addition to smoothies, salads and I also enjoy them with my stir-fry. I often mash up an avocado, add a little bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt and spread it on a bagel. Avocados are the main source of fat in my diet. They are high in B vitamins, rich in fiber and contain more potassium than bananas.
What are the top 6 produce staples in your diet?
