Spring is here, and it’s time to restock your pantry with all the fresh produce the season brings! Remember to include these essentials in your spring grocery list.
Essentials for Your Spring Grocery List
What items should you grab at the supermarket? Here are the most essential food items you should add to your spring grocery list.
1. Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and veggies are the most important food items you should add to your spring grocery list. After all, they are not always consistent throughout the year. Moreover, even if you buy them off-season, they won’t taste as good as they do in the spring and will not be as nutritious as they are in peak seasons.
If you want a balanced and healthy diet, we recommend taking advantage of the spring and its seasonal produce. Grab the following items and use them for all your delicious spring recipes:
- Apricots
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cherries
- Garlic
- Kale
- Lemons
- Lettuce
- Limes
- Mangos
- Mushrooms
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Peas
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Strawberries
If you love cooking but aren’t fond of prep work, you can also buy pre-cut vegetables in the produce section. Some groceries will even provide frozen and pre-cut fruits and veggies for your convenience! Frozen items are great because they preserve food and retain most nutrients. They are essential, especially if you want to store seasonal fruits and veggies for the upcoming seasons.
On the other hand, we recommend heading to a local farmers’ market so you can support local farms and businesses. The great thing about local markets is that the fruits and vegetables don’t need to travel long distances. They’re picked at their most ripe season and provide the best flavor.
2. Grains and Legumes
A balanced diet demands fiber and protein. What better way to consume these than by purchasing grains and legumes? We recommend stocking up on bulgur, oats, brown rice, and quinoa. All of these are easy to prepare. Moreover, they’re versatile enough to fit into any recipe you want. Apart from these, you can also purchase canned lentils and beans. They’re great additions to soups and salads. Moreover, they won’t expire as quickly as fresh grains and legumes. You can use them throughout the year and prepare spring recipes even in the winter!
3. Eggs and Dairy
No kitchen pantry is complete without dairy items. Add foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese to your spring grocery list to add more flavor to your meals. These are also versatile enough to bake with, so they’re perfect if you often crave desserts. Moreover, some of these items are great for breakfast or snacks as they’re versatile enough to be used in several different recipes. Apart from these, don’t forget to buy eggs, which’re packed with nutrients and considered an affordable superfood.
4. Healthy Fat
Not all fats are bad. In fact, some healthy fats are essential to achieve a balanced diet. Look for healthy fat sources such as coconut oil, avocadoes, nuts, and nut butter. There are also lots of nut-based milk or seeds for vegetarians. Apart from these, we want to highlight flavored olive oil. Olive oil is one of the healthiest oils because it’s low in saturated fat. Moreover, it has health benefits because it provides antioxidants and vitamins. You can use it to season dishes or simply cook meals. It might be expensive, but it’s an excellent addition to your pantry.
5. Frozen Goods
We’ve touched briefly on frozen vegetables and fruits, but they deserve their own section. This is because frozen foods are great for quick meals. They’re perfect for days when you don’t feel like cooking or don’t have the time because of work or school. Frozen foods come in all forms: frozen veggies, fruits, grains, and meat. You can use some of these for meals, stir-fries, and smoothies!
6. Snacks
What’s a kitchen without snacks? While snacking has a bad reputation for adding body weight, they’re perfectly fine occasionally. Snacks are essential to any spring grocery list. Consider purchasing items like seeds, fruits, and nuts. You can also find many healthy chips, bars, popcorn, and whole-wheat crackers.
7. Beverages
Diet Coke and fruit juices might be unhealthy, but this doesn’t mean you must give up flavored beverages altogether. If you want that fizz, we recommend replacing sodas with sparkling water. Carbonated water is perfect for rehydration and gives you the same excitement as a can of Coke! However, remember to check the nutrition labels before buying anything. Some sparkling water brands might include added sugar. Some sugar is refined but can be detrimental if you have too much. It’s also not recommended for people who have certain conditions like diabetes.
Apart from sparkling water, you can also give yourself an energy boost by buying tea or caffeine. These are generally healthy if you drink them in moderation and at the right time. Some teas, like black tea, are even calorie-free. Many are also full of antioxidants, which can boost your metabolism.
8. Herbs and Spices
Have you ever eaten an unseasoned meal? They’re bland and uninteresting even though they purport to be healthier. However, you don’t have to eat bland meals all your life just to stay healthy. In fact, you can easily enhance the flavor with a few herbs and spices.
We recommend purchasing a variety of spices like anise, basil, bay leaf, black pepper, cayenne pepper, saffron, cumin, and thyme. Consider experimenting with these spices to create different flavors. What’s great about these herbs and spices is that you don’t need too much to add excitement to your dish. They also don’t expire as quickly as fresh produce.
9. Natural Sweeteners
Sugar is delicious — in fact, it’s addictive. However, added sugar is generally not healthy. We recommend replacing it with natural sweeteners like honey, raw maple syrup, and molasses. These ingredients can add a touch of sweetness to your meals and desserts without compromising your health. Just remember to have them in moderation.
Essential for a Complete Kitchen
Spring is the perfect time to re-stock fresh produce and pantry items. With these essential kitchen items, you can experiment with different flavors and bring out your inner chef! Don’t forget to include them in your spring grocery list the next time you’re at a local market.
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