Warning: These ‘Convenient’ Foods Aren’t Worth the Convenience — What I Stock Now

There was a time I opened my fridge and would see all convenience foods. Pre-packaged, pre-cooked and ready to go. After-all I was a busy person so was my husband. We didn't have time to cook. Boy was that a huge mistake. Those unhealthy choices caused some of the health issues we faces in the not so distant past. You see it really does catch up on you. It's like you need the convenience without worrying if you will contract cancer, or heart disease, or have your gall bladder removed. So with the help of a nutritionist I learned to empty my home of all the bad foods. Chemically induced, frozen concoction that was supposed to be convenient and healthy. Yet was convenient and about as unhealthy as you could get.

Oh Girl it did not stop there...I was a treasure trove of unhealthy snacks, chips, little Debbie, hostess and more. I had the fun pantry. I also had ingredients that served no purpose except taking up space. They weren't doing a body good. And honestly, that certainly, reflected exactly how I felt at the time — rushed, chaotic, and barely holding things together. But holding it together I was. Everyone thought I had it all together. Truth is I didn't.

As the health crisis exploded in my family and quite rapidly. I knew I had to make changes or my whole family was about to be wiped off the map!

I listened very carefully to the hospital nutritionists, doctors and studied everything I could find about food. I even studied the Amish way of life. It appears to be a fact that the Amish have very little disease.

What do they do that I didn't. That sentence is hilarious. They did everything I wasn't. They grew their own food, they cooked everything from scratch and without all the fancy equipment we have.

So I started making changes — Those of you that know me know I am an all in girly, I threw everything out that was processed and or junk. And the wild thing? Once I started eating real food, my body actually responded. It calmed down. It digested better. My energy shifted. Even my mood was a whole lot better, softer, more forgiving. It was like my whole system reset and said, “Finally… thank you.”

I stopped craving salty, sugary snacks. I stopped craving chocolate. I stopped craving anything really bad for me. And the biggest change I think is, I wasn't hungry all day. I ate healthy breakfast, and honestly wasn't hungry until almost 5PM. I found I could survive and have more energy on just 2 meals and sometimes just one is enough for the whole day.

I began searching out foods with ingredients I could pronounce. Foods that came from the earth instead of a laboratory.

As time went on, my kitchen transformed into a place that was fun. My husband began getting interested in cooking and learning how to bake breads at home. It was a way for us to connect differently. It was mind blowing that when you fill your home and body with the right foods, you naturally take better care of yourself. It stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a lifestyle shift — one that gives more than it takes.

Now, the things I keep in my kitchen are there for a reason. They nourish. They comfort. They make cooking easier, not harder. And they help me stay aligned with the life I’m trying to achieve now — a calmer, stronger, cleaner, healthier life.

If you’re wanting to make changes too, this is a beautiful place to start. Fill your home with foods that love you back. You don’t have to overhaul everything at once like I did. But it did take away the temptation.

And for me, these are the staples I always keep on hand — the foods that helped reset my home, my health, and honestly, my peace.

Foods I Always Keep in My Kitchen Now

Chicken, fish, ground turkey, ground hamburger, unbleached flour, tea, alkaline water, whole grain bread, herbs and spices, oatmeal, muesli, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, carrots, eggs, berries, pineapple, bananas, cantaloupe, apples, oranges, healthy oils, butter, beans, and rice.

These foods became the foundation of my kitchen for one simple reason: they make my body feel good. Not bloated, not sluggish, not weighed down — just steady, nourished, and balanced. Every single thing on this list serves a purpose, and after everything my family went through, I’m no longer interested in eating anything that doesn’t support our health.

The proteins — chicken, fish, ground turkey, and even ground hamburger — give me clean, steady fuel. They help keep my blood sugar balanced, keep me feeling full longer, and digest so much easier now that my gallbladder is gone. They’re simple, versatile, and real. No additives, no chemicals, no surprises.

Unbleached flour became a staple because it lets me bake and make comfort foods at home without all the chemicals and preservatives you find in packaged goods. Tea and alkaline water help me stay hydrated and calm; there’s something grounding about sipping something warm or clean instead of grabbing soda or sugary drinks.

Whole grain bread gives me the carbs my body needs — but without the crash. Herbs and spices are my secret to making healthier meals taste amazing. They support digestion, reduce inflammation, and honestly, they make everything feel like it was cooked with love.

Oatmeal and muesli are the gentle, reliable breakfasts that don’t upset our stomach. They’re high in fiber, stable in energy, and keep me from feeling snacky an hour later. They nourish instead of just filling space.

Then there are the vegetables: broccoli, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, and carrots. These foods changed my digestion and my energy more than anything else. They’re high in fiber, full of vitamins, and give my body the nutrients it actually knows what to do with. When I eat more veggies, I feel lighter mentally and physically.

Eggs are the easiest protein in the world — quick, clean, and satisfying. And fruit… oh, the fruit. Berries, pineapple, bananas, cantaloupe, apples, oranges — they became my sweet treats. They satisfy that craving without sending my body into chaos. Fruit gives me vitamins, antioxidants, hydration, and natural energy. It’s dessert that’s actually doing something for you.

Healthy oils and butter replaced all the processed oils that were hurting us more than helping. A little goes a long way, and my body handles them so much better. And beans and rice are the backbone of so many nourishing meals — they’re inexpensive, filling, comforting, and balanced. They’re the kind of food that sticks with you in all the best ways.

What all of these foods have in common is that they’re real. Whole. Minimal ingredients. Nothing pretending to be something it’s not. These foods support digestion, energy, healing, and long-term health — exactly what we needed after the chaos our bodies had endured.

They’re easy to cook with, easy on your stomach, gentle on your system, and powerful in the best ways. And truly? They give me peace. When I open my pantry or fridge now, I feel calm. I feel prepared. I feel cared for. And that’s the beauty of choosing foods that love you back.

I learned how to prep my meals better cook for the week and then we can simply heat up our healthy meals. Just like when we had cardboard boxed food, but these foods won't kill you. And we re-heat on the stove.

If you want to be healthier and help your family get healthier, do not wait start right now! Don't try making gourmet meals just baked chicken and broccoli maybe with some rice. Easy and healthy. And don't try to stock up you will need to grocery shop weekly or every two weeks. Here's to your family getting healthy!!