It is back-to-school time, and many of us have fallen back into busy schedules. As we are crunched for time, it is more important than ever to have pantry staples on hand for quick and easy meals, snacks, and ways to stay hydrated! Packing your pantry full of supplies for quick family meals and nutrient-dense snacks can be vital to staying on track with your meal plan this fall and bringing your family back to the dinner table. Here are five fall pantry staples to pull those family meals, snacks, and hydration solutions together.
Top 5 Dietitian-Approved Pantry Staples:
- Siete Family Foods: Siete Family Foods has a wide variety of pantry-staple products, including chip options that can be great for a snack with dip, as part of a taco or burrito bowl, or crunched on top of your favorite soup or chili. Another benefit is that all their products are gluten-free and dairy-free – making them a perfect option for those with dietary restrictions!
- Canned Pumpkin: Pumpkin contains fiber, iron and vitamins K and E. Pumpkin also provides vitamin A, which is essential for eye health. Canned pumpkin is a great way to add these nutrients to chili, soup, spreads and even baked goods.
- Wild Rice: Wild rice is another source of dietary fiber, which is essential for healthy digestion and blood sugar management. But it is also packed with vital nutrients, including potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, iron and protein. You can find wild rice in both dry and pre-cooked forms. Substitute it for white or brown rice or add it to soups, casseroles, or stuffed peppers for a more nutrient-dense option!
- Canned Chicken: Pre-cooked chicken is a great time and money saver and can be added to salads, soups, your secret family chili recipe, nachos and more! Chicken is a quality lean protein option that is a source of vitamin B6. Look for chicken that is canned or packaged in water. If you focus on managing your blood pressure, you can also look for reduced sodium options.
- Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free: Hydration is an equally important component of your balanced diet and having Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free can help encourage more water consumption. Liquid I.V.’s Sugar-Free product has no sugar but is also free of artificial sweeteners, as it is sweetened with a proprietary amino acid allulose blend. It contains five essential vitamins and minerals supporting your immune system and hydration. Enjoy three fun flavors for on-the-go hydration or sip at home; add Liquid I.V. to 16oz. of water!
Lastly, keep an inventory of what you have in your pantry to avoid stocking up on duplicates you might not get to before the expiration. This will make it much easier to throw together a quick and nutritious meal and save money by avoiding food waste! Check out the chicken sheet tray nachos recipe below for a fun way to use some of your pantry staples. You can substitute canned chicken for the chicken thighs to shorten the preparation time even more.
Chicken Sheet Tray Nachos
All you need:
1 (5-oz) bag Siete Grain Free Sea Salt Tortilla Chips
2 lbs chicken thighs, bone-in
5 tbsp Primal Kitchen avocado oil
1 pkg Siete Mild Taco Seasoning
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or dairy-free shredded “cheese” of choice)
4 cups prepared guacamole or mashed avocado.
Sour cream (optional) and lime wedges for serving.
All you do:
- Preheat the oven to 400ᵒ. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop.
- In a bowl, combine chicken thighs and season with oil and Siete taco seasoning.
- Sear thighs on both sides until golden brown, then put in the oven until fully cooked.
- Dice chicken thighs and set aside. Add sea salt and pepper to taste.
- On a sheet tray, place tortilla chips, then layer cheese and chicken. Bake until the cheese is fully melted.
- Remove from the oven and top with guacamole and fresh lime juice; sour cream is optional.
Recipe source: sietefoods.com
Recipe link: https://sietefoods.com/blogs/recipes/chicken-sheet-tray-nachos
Connect with your local Hy-Vee dietitian on our virtual nutrition services platform. To learn more, head to https://www.hy-vee.com/health/hy-vee-dietitians/default.aspx and schedule a complimentary Discovery Session with a Hy-Vee dietitian. We offer various services to help you meet your weight loss goals, including one-on-one consultation packages, personalized menu plan programs, virtual nutrition store tours and more.
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
About the Registered Dietitian
Tori Sajovec RD, LD, received her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics with a minor in English from Iowa State University. From there, her passions took her to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she completed her 10-month dietetic internship program through Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. As her knowledge of food and nutrition grew, so did her desire to educate customers and clients on their overall well-being. Her goal as a dietitian is to make health and wellness an insightful and enjoyable lifestyle for all.
