Stocking your refrigerator with correct pieces is important to make sure you can prepare healthy and delicious meals. Apart from this, it is pretty handy to make meals when you have a stocked refrigerator. There are some essential categories which you should consider before buying anything from the store like diary, grains, protein, condiments and produce. Foods coming under these categories will help in preparing a healthy meal.

Nonetheless, here are some foods which you should add to your refrigerator:

Dijon mustard

If you have tried making salad dressing from scratch, then you will need something which can be that emulsifier. This is where Dijon mustard comes in place because it will help in keeping everything while adding a strong and vinegar-ish flavor.

Dijon mustard is a popular option people have when it comes to dressings but there are some other options as well which you can go with. If you are making something which needs some extra spice, then you can consider going with stone ground mustard because it is more on the spicy side.

Another reason why Dijon is a great option is because they are low in calories and goes well with different types of condiments.

Reduced sodium Soy sauce

Soy sauce is a great way to have that salty touch to your dishes like noodles, ramen, sushi, etc. apart from this you can also use soy sauce in different dishes to have a taste of umami. Umami is a flavor which is similar to meat, cheese, and even mushrooms. However, soy sauce is completely made from plant products which makes it usable for vegetarians and vegans.

When we look at regular soy sauce, then it comes with 900mg in a tablespoon which covers 40% of the daily recommended intake. To make sure you do not over go with your sodium intake, it is better to go with low sodium soy sauce as it has 45% less sodium than regular sodium.

Tahini

Tahini is a paste which is made from sesame seeds, and you can use them in different ways like

• Add them to different soups
• Use as a salad dressing
• Add it to doughs to add a nutty flavor
• Drizzle over your chicken or fish

Tahini is another food item which offers great level of versatility and offers a unique flavor as well. Apart from all of this, tahini also offers great nutrition as you can get 2 grams of protein and 2 grams fiber in every 15 ml.

Sesame seeds are used to make tahini which is also why they tend enhance your concentration level. This happens because sesame seeds come with polyunsaturated fatty acids which is beneficial of our heart.

Tofu

Tofu is a great option to have if you are planning to have some vegetarian proteins. Tofu is also a great in terms of versatility. You can add some tofu to almost any type of dish ranging from noodles, tacos, to soups. Apart from this you can try adding tofu to some smoothies to increase your protein, iron, and calcium intake.

Eggs

If you are looking to have some quick cooking food items in your refrigerator, then adding some eggs is something you should consider. Eggs are also a great source of protein as you can get 6 grams of protein in a large egg. Apart from this eggs also provide antioxidants, lutein, and zeaxanthin which is good for your eyes. You can make different dishes with eggs like quesadilla, boiled eggs, add them to your ramen, and many more. When it comes to storing your eggs, then it is advised to keep then on the shelf to make sure it says at the correct temperature.

Milks

Milk is something which you can use in different types of dishes which is a good enough reason why you should have them in your refrigerator. There are different types of milk from which you can choose from which is a great option for vegans.

When it comes to milk coming from plants, then you can find milks which comes with calcium and vitamin D and does not come with any additional sugar.

Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt

If you are looking for an alternative for sour cream, then going with yogurt is a great option. You can use yogurt as a topping for your different dishes like tacos.

When we compare Greek yogurt with sour cream, then it tends to have better probiotic levels which is great for your gut health. Apart from this Greek yogurt is also low in fat when compared to sour cream.

If you are looking to reduce your sugar intake, then it is better to go with plain Greek yogurt is a great option. If you are looking for something vegan, then you can go with soy yogurt or coconut yogurt.

Nuts and nut butter

When it comes nuts and their butter, then they are great in terms of nutrition because they come with great levels of protein, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. However, there is a need to do more studies related with the health benefits of this combination.

After you have opened nuts or nuts better, then it is better to keep them in a refrigerator mainly because nuts have high level of fat which makes them prone to rancidity. You can use nut butters in different dishes ranging from soups to just spreading on your toast. Apart from this you can also add some nuts to your salads, dips, meat, cereals, etc.

Apples

When it comes to a medium sized apple, then you can get around 100 calories with 5 grams of fiber which makes it a great low-calorie option and can fill you up nicely.

There are a lot of people who like to remove the peel which is not the beset thing because it is very nutritious as it is filled with antioxidants that helps in avoiding inflammation and IBD as well.

Apple is a great food item to have in your refrigerator because they can be considered as a snack or just have then on side for almost any type of dishes.

Cheese

There is absolutely no one in this world who does not like adding cheese to different food items. You can add cheese to different dishes like scrambled eggs, tacos, salads, sandwiches, and the list goes on and on.

There are different types of flavor options in cheese like goat, Parmesan, cheddar, feta, blue, and many more. As there are flavored cheese, then you do not have to use a lot of it which leads to consuming less calories and saturated fats.

When it comes to cheese which are on the harder sides like Parmesan and cheddar, then it tends to last for 3 to 4 weeks more in a refrigerator right after opening the packet as compared to softer cheese.

Pure maple syrup

There are different types of dishes which you can find that needs that sweetness. Maple syrup is a great option to have in your refrigerator mainly because of the versatility it offers. The sweetness offered is not too much and just sits in the perfect range. You can use your maple syrup to add sweetness to different dishes like oatmeal, salad dressing, parfaits, smoothies, pancakes, etc. If you can get your hands on pure maple syrup, then it will always be a better option than the alternative.

When you go with pure maple syrup, then it comes with different healthy properties like antioxidants which helps in protecting our body from inflammation.

Final word

Stocking up your refrigerator smartly is important for everyone irrespective of what your health goals are. Having stocked up refrigerator is a great thing because it helps in preparing your meal with ease with the help of different essential food items. These were some of the food items which you can include in your refrigerator every time you do your monthly shopping.