Kitchen Audit 101
By Meg Pulkrabek, MS, RD, LRD
Whatever is in your kitchen is what is fueling your body right now. The food in your home is a direct reflection of what is building your bones. If you were able to take a snapshot of the overall contents in your kitchen, it would likely be a close representation of how you have been feeling. These are the items that are circulating into your blood and going to your heart. The collection of food you have accumulated is what has been sending messages to your brain and giving your lungs the strength to take a breath. What 3 words would you use to describe the fuel in your cupboards right now?
Here’s an exercise you can start today that will help you reflect on the nutrients in your body:
STEP ONE: Find a local food bank, food pantry, or charity near you.
Before you start this activity, begin with an intention to help someone else. During this challenge you may desire to try new foods, or get rid of old. Before you start filling trash bins, many of the foods in your cabinet will benefit someone who is in need. FeedingAmerica.org is one source available to find a local donation center near you.
STEP TWO: Empty everything in your kitchen.
EVERYTHING! Fridge, freezer, cupboards, pantry, all of it! This is a great way not only to re-organize the efficiency of your kitchen and make room for healthy choices, but also to find ways that you could save money. Maybe you find that you already have 7 cans of beans hiding and you won’t need more on your next grocery trip! It’s also a great opportunity to wipe out and clean your surfaces so that you will see your items displayed more clearly as well. You could also put some things into smaller containers for more space.
STEP THREE: Organize your food into food groups and check expiration dates.
Group your food by category, shelf life, and whether or not you find it beneficial to your health. If you’re looking to change things up, now is the time to get organized. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and try new foods! While you’re at it, double check those sneaky expiration dates.
STEP FOUR: Do your inventory.
Take into consideration what you have left and write each item down before you put it back into your cupboards. This is for your own personal inventory and mental check-list. What types of things are you missing? Do you have a good stock of vegetables, lean protein, or high fiber options left? Or do you have things like cans of beans, celery, carrots, and tomatoes that might be the start for a stew? Looking at this list will help you to summarize and draw conclusions about what you have available to you.
STEP FIVE: Re-stock.
Create a habit of making a new grocery list before you head to the store. Every single time you are going to get ready to head out, double check your space available and your overall needs before making your list. This will help you to save money and shop with a purpose. Decide on recipes ahead of time based on ingredients you already have and use your trip to the store to pick up the items missing.
