“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” said one Benjamin Franklin, notorious kite flyer and discoverer of electricity. While some may say he was referring to scientific pursuits, there’s really no way to prove he wasn’t also talking about your diet—specifically, keeping healthy foods in the fridge so you’re not tempted to binge on ice cream. (Refrigerators didn’t actually exist when he was alive, but for the purposes of this argument, let’s gloss over that anachronism.) In the spirit of not failing at our healthy-eating ventures, we talked to Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD and author of The Superfood Swap , about smart foods to always have on hand. Here are her six picks—if your fridge is stocked with these, give yourself a gold star.
6 Foods To Always Have In Your Fridge
"For smoothies, salads and a base for leftovers—I call it a 'green base,' which is my personal number one food trick."
"Get your dessert on with one of the healthiest things around! I love a piece with mint tea at night."
"Pair these with chicken sausage or a handful of nuts for a super-fast breakfast or snack."
"Even more good bacteria (probiotics) for healthy digestion and immunity than yogurt."
"Proteins are the foods that take the longest to cook, so having some already done is perfect for an on-the-go lifestyle. Think hard-boiled eggs, salmon and chicken breasts."
"Don't wait until you have a party to prep a veggie tray! Keep one at eye level in the fridge so you can nibble anytime you get munch-y."
