10 Nutritious Snacks You Should Always Include In Your Fridge

Especially for those of us who work from home, the refrigerator is a very tempting monster in the kitchen. It's mid-morning and you feel like your breakfast was yesterday. Your tummy is growling and begging to be fed. Or the late night news is on and you just need a little something to hold you over til the morning. It's tempting to grab the sugar-laced stuff, but if you have good, healthy choices in the fridge, then you won't find yourself 5 pounds heaver in three months.

We will be giving you a selection of 10 terrific foods to keep in your fridge. Keep these foods and you will always be ready to have a tasty, guilt-free snack.



10. Edamame - snack food on steamed edamame which are filled with iron, calcium and other vitamins and minerals. It is a Japanese soybean which has a great nutty taste. You can get it fresh in the seafood area or in the frozen section already shelled.

9. Cottage Cheese - this delicious snack is loaded with casein, a protein that keeps you feeling full for a longer time of time. On it's own, or combine it with fresh fruit for a little bit of sweetness, or almonds for a nice crunch.

8. Peanut Butter - not likely in the fridge, however an excellent, healthier snack. It is packed with healthy monounsaturated fats and folate, a B vitamin. However don't buy the processed kind off the shelf, buy the fresh kind in your deli department - they literally put the roasted peanuts through a grinder, zero preservatives or additives.

7. Almonds - a handful of raw almonds offer a wholesome alternative to greasy, crunchy snacks like potato chips and crackers). Keep them in the fridge to prevent its natural oils from oxidation.

6. Milk - you should always have low-fat or non-fat milk in the fridge. A small glass of milk is very satisfying and one 8 ounce glass per day helps to provide your daily dose of calcium. Much better for you than that scoop of ice cream or frozen yogurt.

5. Eggs - whether you want to whip up a quick scramble or eat them hard-boiled - always have eggs on hand. We always have a half dozen hard-boiled eggs in the fridge - take out the yolk and fill it with hummus for a delicious, well-rounded snack.

4. Miso - this may be a surprising item to keep in your fridge, but you'll gain a lot of use from it. Just mix it with hot water and it dissolves into a yummy soup. Be sure to select a low-sodium kind.

3. Bananas - they are rich in potassium and fiber, necessary nutrients for your daily living. Always good on their own, but enjoy with peanut butter or in your oatmeal for an even more filling snack.

2. Homemade Kale Chips - so easy to do, and a terrific snack to have around: 1. Preheat oven to 375F; 2. Wash 2 bunches of kale, remove the stems, tear into small pieces; 3. Toss with 2 tsp olive oil and spread on baking sheet; 4. Salt lightly; 5. Bake until crisp and slightly golden around sides (10 minutes).

1. Hummus - an easy go to already prepared in your deli section. As its popularity grows, so do the varieties. Be smart - don't mix with crackers or chips, enjoy it with sliced veggies or in a hard-boiled egg as described above.

Hope this helps you in maintaining a healthy you! If you found this story helpful, feel free to share with others.

Until next time

Scott & Heidi