We all remember that during lockdown flour was in short supply and as we head into what may be the second wave it may be worth thinking now about what you have in your cupboards at home.
When we talk about meal planning you usually think about what you want to cook and therefore buy but now you may need to think about what you can buy and therefore cook.
That being said, it is good to have a rough idea of more convenient & versatile ‘store-cupboard essentials’ to stock up on, such as dried, tinned and frozen/freezable foods that will last longer e.g.
DRIED: pasta, spaghetti, rice, cous cous, porridge oats, cereals, flour, beans & pulses, dried fruit, nuts & seeds, tea bags (!)
TINNED: chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, coconut milk, beans & pulses, fish e.g. tuna, mackerel, sardines; veg e.g. sweetcorn, peas, carrots; tinned fruit e.g. peaches, pineapple, pear
FROZEN/FREEZABLE: veg e.g. peas, sweetcorn, broccoli, onions, peppers or mixed veg; bread, pitta & wraps; milk & cheese (yes you can freeze these!); meat, fish & veggie protein alternatives e.g. mince or sausages
It helps if your cupboards are already stocked with herbs, spices & condiments as these will add the finishing touch to your culinary creations, but if you don’t have these, here are a few main suggestions:
- Salt & pepper
- Bay leaves
- Mixed Italian herbs
- Spices e.g. curry powder, chilli powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, cumin, cinnamon
- Stock powder or cubes
- Pesto
- Worcester sauce
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Peanut butter
- Sweet chilli sauce
- Hot/chilli sauce
This is not an exhaustive list. You may not need all of these but pick & choose as per your preferences and what you think will go best with what you’ve got.
Happy shopping! Healthy You can help support you. We provide health trainers to help you manage your weight with the power of a healthy diet and exercise. Call us on 0333 005 0093 to find out more. We are currently providing virtual services so you can still access support without the worry.