The coronavirus outbreak is beginning to resemble a protracted cookery class. Rookies and professionals alike grew more daring in their culinary pursuits, brewing their own coffee and making their own bread. In general, we've been honing our culinary talents. Yes, it is partly out of need, but it also feels wonderful to nurture ourselves and our loved ones in some tiny manner.
With increased cooking and a desire to limit our contact to people when shopping, the necessity of having a well-stocked pantry has become more evident than ever. Making a good shopping list and meal planning may go a long way toward ensuring that our pantry always has something we can use for supper. Buying in bulk has become more important—investing in bulk commodities with a lengthy shelf-life might be the difference between weekly and monthly grocery shop trips. The foods listed below are readily storable and usable and should be purchased in bulk at your next Walmart or Costco trip.
1. Berries
Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, for example, are packed with health advantages. They're high in polyphenols, which are natural compounds with significant qualities such as the capacity to prevent fat formation. Anyone who has ever eaten a strawberry knows that when strawberries are in season, they are at their ripest, tastiest, and juiciest. Fresh berries, on the other hand, will be more costly and of inferior quality when they are out of season. Frozen berries are an excellent option for the remainder of the year since they're generally frozen at peak ripeness.
When berries are in season, purchase in bulk and freeze anything you don't plan on eating right away. When a desire strikes, you'll have a large supply of delicious, healthy fruit on hand. In the winter, frozen berries are a good choice, and you can get them in quantity at a lower price.
2. Nuts
You may believe that nuts should be eaten in moderation due to their high-fat content, but many nuts available in the regular supermarket, such as these healthy nuts, are excellent for weight reduction due to the minerals and beneficial fats they contain. Many tree nuts, for example, include omega-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats, which have the power to activate genes that increase insulin metabolism and actually lower the amount of fat your body stores.
How to keep them: Nuts are generally considerably cheaper in bulk than in tiny amounts, in addition to being excellent for you. If you leave them out at room temperature, they'll get rancid after a time, but if you store them in the fridge or freezer, they'll last for weeks (or months) and preserve their exquisite taste and nutritional value.
3. Rice (brown)
This nutritious staple outperforms its white version in terms of nutritional value, and it lasts virtually forever on the shelf. It's popular among healthy eaters and dieters for several reasons: it's high in B vitamins, which are a natural source of long-lasting energy; it's high in essential micronutrients like manganese, phosphorous, selenium, and magnesium; and it's high in fiber, which can help keep your blood sugar in check and cravings for junk food at bay.
How to store it: Store brown rice in an airtight container to avoid dust, insects, and other pollutants from getting into your dry products if they aren't securely packed.
4. Oats
Whole oats are a staple in every household since they are gluten-free, high in soluble fiber, and inexpensive. Use them in baking, as a healthy meatloaf or crab cake filling, or in overnight oatmeal. They'll accomplish their fantastic job of keeping your heart healthy, decreasing your risk of diabetes, and lowering blood pressure no matter how you utilize them, which is why they're one of our 7 Healthiest Foods on the Planet. Whole oats are a terrific item to include in any healthy weight loss diet since they have been found to stimulate hormones in the body that help regulate hunger, in addition to being an overall health powerhouse.
How to keep them: Oats may be kept on a pantry shelf at room temperature for years. Just make sure they're stored in an airtight container to keep bugs, dust, and other pollutants out.
5. Quinoa
Quinoa is a seed that is one of the few plant suppliers of all necessary amino acids, despite being cooked and eaten like a grain. Use it as a side dish with lean meats and vegetables, in soups or cold salads in lieu of pasta, or as a vegetarian protein source in the main meal. Quinoa offers roughly 8 grams of protein per cooked cup, which is about the same as a small piece of roast turkey! The entire protein in this miraculous seed will keep you full and happy for longer, reducing your chances of snacking or overeating during the day.
Uncooked quinoa, like rice, lasts months on the shelf if kept in a dry, airtight container, making it a perfect item to purchase in bulk, particularly if you're trying to cut down on calories.
6. Dried Beans
Beans should be a staple in the cupboard of any health-conscious individual. While canned beans may have added salt and other chemicals, dry beans provide all of the fiber and minerals you need. Dried black beans made our list of the 8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day because they're high in anthocyanins, antioxidant molecules that have been found to benefit brain function. Whether you like black beans, kidney beans, favas, lima beans, or lentils, you'll be making a wise decision since all beans are rich in protein and fiber while being low in saturated fat and calories.
How to keep them: Keep your favorite types in the pantry at all times and purchase in bulk to save even more money—they stay a long time if wrapped and stored in a cool, dry location.
7. Olive Oil
Extra-virgin olive oil is a versatile oil that can be used in both cooking and fresh meals like salads. Its adaptability makes it an excellent health food; reaping the advantages is simple since it can be used in practically any cuisine. And EVOO has a long list of health advantages, including its high content of monounsaturated fats and capacity to protect the body from illnesses like breast cancer and Alzheimer's, among other things.
How to keep it: Olive oil is often marketed in huge bulk containers, so if this is your go-to cooking oil, purchasing in bulk will save you a lot of money. For quick access, store a big drum in your pantry and a little bottle near the stove; just replenish the tiny bottle when it gets low.
8. Coconut Oil
Its tropical relative, like olive oil, is occasionally offered in huge quantities, which may save you money. If you want to take advantage of its many uses—it can be used for almost everything except deep-frying, even as a moisturizer—buy in quantity. Coconut oil includes lauric acid, a form of fat that turns to energy more quickly than many other types of fat, meaning it will be burned rather than stored around your waist.
How to keep it: This oil is shelf-stable; at 76 degrees, it will melt and become liquid. However, if maintained out of direct sunlight, it may endure up to two years in both its liquid and solid phases. Some individuals like to keep coconut oil refrigerated, which is also OK. If you want to be extra careful with your cooking oil, we suggest storing it in a glass or BPA-free plastic container to prevent any undesired chemical compounds from leaking into the oil over time.
9. Lean Meats
Certain pieces of meat will be on sale for ridiculously cheap rates in several markets and butcher shops—but only if you purchase in quantity. Less fatty meat pieces, such as boneless, skinless chicken breasts, are generally more costly than their fattier equivalents, such as bone-in chicken thighs, so purchasing in bulk may save you a lot of money.
How to preserve them: Obviously, you won't consume a large quantity of meat in one or two meals. So, after you've made your purchase, just put the meat in the refrigerator that you want to prepare right away (within the next 24 to 36 hours). All other items should be kept in the freezer. Wrap individual pieces of meat securely in plastic wrap, then put wrapped sections in plastic bags with a tight closure, such as a zipped top, to keep meat fresh and free of freezer burn for as long as possible.
10. Whole Spices
Whole spices have a significantly longer shelf life than pre-ground spices, which lose their taste and freshness after 6 months to a year—and you know that nutmeg has been lying in your cabinet for at least that long. They also enhance taste without adding fat, calories, sweets, or salt to your diet.
To save money and add huge flavors to your favorite recipes, buy whole spices in bulk, invest in a spice grinder (a quality one that will last you years for about $20), and ground spices as required. Keep spices fresh by storing them in sealed containers and storing them in a cold, dry location.
