7 Things I Always Have On Hand In My Kitchen

I am the ultimate planner. It drives people nuts who are around me a lot but it is something that will never change about me. It makes me anxious if I do not plan ahead. When I had gastric bypass almost two years ago, all of my healthcare providers told me that planning was pivotal to my success and this has proved to be true. I am always thinking ahead especially when it comes to meal planning and with working a nurses schedule, I have to plan. I gravitate towards eating some of the same foods over and over since there are some foods that do not sit well in my new little belly. So I tend to keep these foods on hand AT ALL TIMES in my kitchen to “grab and go.”

• Cheese – I know, I know- I’m obsessed. I don’t eat five slices, lol. I eat one or two and thats a quick snack or sometimes a meal. I usually get reduced fat if it is at the store that I am at. Everything in moderation, right? I am a sucker for string cheese, especially at work. It is quick and easy.

• Bananas – This may sound kind of like common sense but this was a food that I was told that I may want to avoid after gastric bypass surgery because of the sugar content. On days that I do not have time to prepare breakfast or eat my egg bites, I eat a banana. It is fast. While there is no protein at least I am getting some calories and something in my stomach to start the day. Bananas are great after a jog as well.

• My Egg Bites – I always have a stash of these in my freezer and some thawed in my refrigerator. If you know me personally, you know how OBSESSED I am with these. I eat two at a time for a meal and they are just amazing. You can add so many things to them. Recently I have been adding spinach, onions, and peppers.

• Frozen Meat – While this is not exactly “grab and go” this is extremely convenient and really helps to save on not making so many trips to the store when I want to throw a meal together quickly. Being the ultimate planner, I usually have quite the stock of food in my home. Some people do not have multiple refrigerators and freezers to store extra meat and food. When there are meat sales at stores, I buy the stores out! Haha! I usually use 96% lean ground beef, 93% lean ground turkey, and 93% lean ground chicken. I also use turkey sausage. When I am using bacon, I use the real thing. I am not a fan of turkey bacon.

• Protein Bars – While these can be pricey they are super convenient for the gal on the on and that is usually me. I will have a video soon on homemade protein bars that I recently made. I get my prepackaged protein bars from The Vitamin Shoppe or Amazon. I really like One Bars and they recently had 20% off your order if you signed up for their email newsletter. They are really good and packed with protein.

• Frozen Meals from previous meal prep – This is a LIFE SAVER!!! Some evenings I do not feel like cooking dinner. Especially just for myself. When I meal prep, I try and cook extra meals and throw them in the freezer. Then I can just pop one of out when I am tired or do not feel like cooking and I have no excuse to grab lunch or dinner out.

• Cold Brew – I mean really, what would my life be without cold brew coffee? I am in love with it. If you are not familiar with cold brew- it takes about 24 hours to steep. So you have to PLAN. If you don’t, that means Starbucks will get $3.75! Gastric bypass patients technically are not supposed to have caffeine after surgery, like ever. I stuck by that until one day I did not. About a year after surgery. Cold brew is lower acidity and my surgeon is aware that I drink it. Bottom line – it is always in my kitchen, so stop on over for a cold one! There is nothing better than cold brew and girl talk. Ask my best friend Heidi!

What are some things that you always have on hand in your kitchen? I would love to hear what your staples in the kitchen are!