What’s in Your Fridge?
I’ve been told to judge a book not by its cover, but by the content of its pages.
One should not form an opinion on someone or something based purely on what is seen on the surface, because after taking a deeper look, things may be very different than what was expected.
Did you know that the food in your fridge says a lot about your lifestyle and how you prioritize food and health? It’s what’s on the inside that says the most about your life – even, perhaps, the parts you try to hide.
From someone’s fridge and pantry, you can get a true idea of their health, lifestyle, income, and even what kind of romantic partner they’ll be. A messy chaotic fridge means you probably have an equally chaotic life. On the contrary, a regularly empty fridge is probably a sign a person is constantly busy and doesn’t have the time to place their health as a priority.
If you are someone with an extra clean fridge with all those meals for the week labelled and planned out, well, you may be just a little bit over the top.
If you open your refrigerator door and a pile of junk tumbles out, your chances of eating healthy are slim. With the average American now getting 60 percent of his or her calories from processed food, your eating habits are only as good as your supply of food.
Whether you want to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, or just clean up your diet there’s definitely a better way to stock and arrange your refrigerator for success. Here are a few ways to help you get started:
1. Categorize and organize
When all of your goodies are washed, organized and in their proper place it is easier to see what you have, what you need, and what you would like to eat. Have a dedicated fruit and vegetable drawer, place all your beverages in one area, leftovers in another, and don’t forget to keep all of your raw meats at the very bottom in case they drip.
2. Prep portions in advance
Cut fresh fruits and vegetables ahead of time, or make a fruit salad. Do you like carrots with hummus? What about slices of apple with peanut butter? Find a few healthy snack combos that will work for you and have them on hand ready-to-go so you don’t have to resort to making inevitable junk food purchases while away from home. Label and date the prepped meals you have so you remember what is in there and how long you’ve had it.
3. Make protein a priority
Eggs should be on every grocery list you make. Regardless of your budget, if you have eggs in your fridge you can whip up a quick breakfast. If you’re in a pinch and need to make dinner on a whim, you will at least have the protein portion of the meal covered.
4. Grab some colors
You should have a fruit and vegetable of at least three colors. Grab your carrots, spinach, bananas, mushrooms, or other seasonal hues on each of your grocery runs to outfit yourself for an array of dishes. Be sure to have at least one leafy green on hand at all times that can be enjoyed raw or cooked into a dish you are making.
5. Acknowledge the grains and beans
At the beginning of each week, make a slightly larger batch of quinoa, rice, pasta, beans, or something that is filling, nutritious and versatile. Throughout the week you can throw together a quick salad for lunch, incorporate the items into a stew for dinner or serve it as a starch next to a piece of fish or other protein.
6. Stock water with flavor
Prepare a large pitcher of water with natural flavor from a fruit, vegetable, or herb of your choice. Mint, lemons, limes, berries, oranges, and cucumbers are all good choices. Find your flavor, and keep it stocked.
7. Skip the juice
You’re better off quenching your thirst with water than taking a swig of juice when you’re thirsty. Juice adds unnecessary calories and has little to no nutritional value.
8. Make fridge rules
Having a few rules for the fridge will help keep you on track. Avoid processed foods. Don’t stock foods that contain trans fats or white flour. If sugar is the first ingredient, don’t buy it. If you see a whole lot of ingredients on a food label, you should avoid it.
9. Seek healthy alternatives to old favorites
Do you love flavored non-dairy creamer in your morning coffee? Stock up on unsweetened vanilla almond milk instead. You’ll get the hint of flavor in your java without the sugar and trans fats of flavored creamer.
10. Find a motivational message
Find something that inspires you – motivational words, a picture that represents you at your best – and put it on the fridge. Remember, it’s the first and last thing you’ll see when you open the door.
In Conclusion: Open up your refrigerator and take a look inside. What does your fridge say about you? Your fridge can not only say a lot about your lifestyle, it can also be an accurate reflection of your health.
We’ve all heard the old adage ‘you are what you eat.’ Everything you eat becomes a part of not only your inner being, but the outer fabric of your body as well. If you keep good food in your fridge, you’ll eat good food. It really is that simple. Good luck to you.
