We can all agree that mom life is hectic, often unplanned, and can throw us all for a loop at any moment. From “five more minutes” at the park to “oops, it’s time to get out of the pool right now,” sunny weather brings activities, smiles, and forgetting to look at my watch. This is why my pantry is stocked with these ten shelf-stable superfoods. No matter how much of a rush I’m in, my toddler is still getting a nourishing meal or snack amidst the chaos of my forgetfulness.
10 Superfoods to Keep in the Pantry
Canned Sardines
I know it sounds crazy but hear me out. This is number one on my list for a reason. Truth be told, I did not “think” I liked sardines until I started giving them to my son. And once we ate them together, I realized they’re pretty delicious. I generally buy boneless-skinless fillets packed in olive oil. Serve them with some crackers (my favorites lower on the list), maybe a pickle or fresh bell pepper sticks, and you’ve got dinner without making any pots or pans dirty.
The health benefits of these babies are through the ROOF! It’s a protein-packed superfood loaded with omega-3, DHA, and all you have to do is open the can!
Hemp Hearts
Did you know that three tablespoons of hemp hearts have about the same amount of protein as a small chicken breast? Talk about a superfood! It’s also an excellent source of calcium, dietary fiber, and iron. All the things we worry about as moms to make sure our kiddos have a well-rounded diet. We call them hemp “sprinkles” at our house, and our favorite way to serve them is with avocado.
Three Wishes Cereal
I’m so happy to have found a cereal without all the added junk! And this one only has 4 ingredients. Chickpeas are the main ingredient and are high in protein, low in sugar, grain-free, and suitable for all allergies. Winning! You’ll find the unsweetened variety in a small stasher in every purse, backpack, and bag we own.
Sunflower Seeds
The perfect allergen-friendly alternative to making a simple pesto or adding a creaminess to a blended veggie sauce while keeping it dairy-free. This superfood is an easy go-to that can be incorporated into your meals in many ways.
Cashew Cookie Lara Bars
I talk about this flavor specifically because it only has TWO ingredients, and I’m a stickler for added stuff in my family’s food. Cashews. Dates. Period.
Seed Crackers
There are plenty of brands that make seed crackers now. These crunchy munchies have lots of protein, are generally gluten, dairy, and soy-free (read your labels), and I honestly don’t feel guilty after finishing a box. They’re a great addition to school lunch boxes, dinner, or snack time. My favorites are Mary’s Gone Crackers.
Dates
I’m all about a sweet snack that’s good for both mama and kiddo, so we love eating dates. Full of fiber, antioxidants, and perfectly delicious, dates make a great “grab-something” when you feel like feeding your sweet tooth. I also use them to sweeten smoothies and make granola bars.
Dried Fruit
Did you know sulfur is added to fruits so they don’t turn brown once they’re dry? But is it really necessary? I say nah. Skip the sugary fruit roll-ups and snag a bag of dried fruit. You and your kiddos will love the natural sweetness of apricots, mangos, figs, and bananas as you adventure on the go or snag a bite from the cabinet. Made In Nature makes a wonderful variety of dried fruits.
Quinoa
This is my favorite super grain that cooks for 1 minute in the pressure cooker (that’s not a typo) and 15 minutes on the stove. I swap it into any recipe that calls for rice, serve it cold in a salad, or mix it into eggs for a superfood omelet with whatever leftovers we have in the fridge.
Nut Butters & Nuts
I’m all for all varieties in any form! Almonds, cashews, peanuts, macadamias, pistachios. I even love powdered peanut butter for an addition to morning yogurt or a shake. I like to change up what we eat, so I generally don’t offer the same nut every day. This leads to more exposure for my kiddo, more variety, and ensures we don’t get bored. Just be sure to adapt age-appropriately to your kiddo and serve nuts and butters how you feel safest.
With these tasty and healthy superfoods in your pantry, you’ll be one prepared mama!
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