6 Ingredients I Keep in My Healthy Kitchen

Everybody has their go-to foods that are yummy and can satisfy at any moment. I make sure that I always keep these healthy ingredients in my kitchen to whip up in my favorite dishes or to eat as on-the-go snacks.

My 6 Go-To Healthy Kitchen Ingredients

1. Avocados – I don’t know what life would be like without avocados!! They are one of my all time favorite fruits and I eat them every single day. Not only do they taste so deliciously creamy, but they also have some great health benefits. Avocados are known to promote weight-loss, support healthy digestion and improve heart-health. I love eating avocados for breakfast, as a mid-day snack, or in addition to salads. Try this mouthwatering Avocado Toast or a Summer Salad.
2. Almond Butter – Another one of my favorite foods! I love all sorts of nut butters, but almond butter is definitely on the top of my list. Almonds are the most nutritionally dense nuts, which means for every calorie you consume, you get more vitamins than any other nut. Just one teaspoon of this heart-healthy butter provides you with more than 25% of your daily requirement of vitamin E, which protects from oxidative damage. Almond butter is also known to reduce LDL “bad” cholesterol and control blood pressure. Try this Almond Butter Sandwich.
3. Bananas – This yummy fruit does not get enough credit! People often avoid bananas because they have a high sugar content, but what they don’t realize is how nutritious one banana actually is. I usually consume them in my smoothies or top them on oats, but I found my self starving between classes and the only healthy choice in the school cafeteria was a banana. I had one and was pleasantly surprised to see how much energy it gave me and how full I felt. One banana contains only 105 calories, and almost no fat. Bananas are also rich in fiber, which may feed the friendly gut bacteria and help protect against colon cancer. Try this Pineapple Banana Smoothie.
4. Cinnamon – I love using cinnamon in smoothies, coffee, tea, baked goods, and as a topping to my oats or yogurt parfaits. It is a great substitute for sugar, adds a lot of flavor and warmth to drinks and meals. One of the great advantage of including cinnamon to the diet is that it lowers LDL “bad” cholesterol and raises HDL “the good” cholesterol. Cinnamon is also known for preventing viruses to enter the body, fights colds, clears up congestion and encourages circulation. Next time you feel a cold coming on, try my Warming Apple Cider.
5. Eggs – No longer the cholesterol demon, eggs are now recognized as a powerful nutrient source. They are a huge part of my diet and I absolutely love all egg dishes. Eating a whole egg can raise HDL “good” cholesterol and lower LDL “bad” cholesterol levels. Studies have showed that adults can enjoy eggs without significantly impacting the risk of cardiovascular disease. Eggs are high in Vitamin B12, which helps the body metabolize fat, and studies have shown people who eat a protein rich breakfast such as eggs, tend to be slimmer! Eating eggs for breakfast decreases hunger, which means less calorie consumption during lunch. Try these Baked Eggs with Spinach and Mushrooms.
6. Lemons – I may be out of anything else but I always have lemons on hand! On a recent trip, I brought back three lemons in my suitcase (I know, it sounds crazy) because I knew I would land late and I wanted to make sure that I would have my warm-water with lemon the next morning. I am a huge believer of having a glass of warm-water with lemon first thing in the morning. Lemons are alkaline-forming in the body, which makes them great for balancing acidity and restoring balance in the body’s PH. Drinking warm-water with lemon is also a great way to detoxify the liver, and eliminating toxins from the body by promoting bowel movement.