Become An Ingredient Girl: Embracing Real Food For A Healthier Life
Over the last decade, I have witnessed the shift in how we consume food. We no longer care about intentional living and planning but convenience and quick bites for our busy lives. While I am all for a pizza on a Saturday night, there is something about stepping into the kitchen and creating meals from scratch with real, whole ingredients. The peace of mind I have when I serve my family and friends a snack or meal I know will provide the nutrients they need to feel replenished is a great feeling in today’s world, where people constantly get sick and feel gross over the fast food they eat. However, the focus is shifting again, and becoming an “ingredient girl” is trending! Becoming an ingredient girl isn’t just about cooking- it is a lifestyle shift that brings you back to how we were always intended to consume food.
Back to the Basics: What is an ingredient girl?
Simply put, being an ingredient girl means cooking with real, whole ingredients- no mystery additives or shortcuts! It means choosing fresh produce, whole grains, fresh proteins, and healthy fats that will fuel your body properly. It is about avoiding products that use artificial preservatives, processed foods, and overly refined products.
Examples: chips, packaged cookies, sugary cereals, candy, frozen meals, soft drinks, and other pre-packaged snacks or meals.
I remember the first time my friend called me an “ingredient girl.” Honestly, I was a bit confused at first! I thought she was just talking about the fresh ingredients we were using while cooking together. But as she explained more, it clicked for me! She was pointing out how we try to use as many fresh ingredients as possible in our meals. It’s funny that this little habit of ours is such a big deal! I love it! Focusing on real ingredients ensures you are getting a balanced diet, feeding your body what it needs rather than what it craves.
Pantry Reset!
First things first: If you want to become an ingredient girl, you have to go through your pantry! The pantry is where many of these convenience foods are kept. Your success starts in the kitchen! Take a look at your pantry, freezer, and fridge. If you find items with long ingredient lists, names too hard to pronounce, and added sugars, it is probably time to replace them with whole-food alternatives.
Here are some suggestions:
Instead of Store-bought pasta sauce, try crushed tomatoes, garlic, herbs, salt & pepper to taste.
Instead of boxed pancake mix, use flour, eggs, buttermilk, baking powder, and vanilla.
Instead of pre-packaged snacks, go for nuts, fresh fruits and veggies, or homemade granola bars.
This doesn’t mean you need to toss out everything at once. Gradually restock your kitchen as you use, donate, or get rid of old items, replacing them with healthier options. When I helped one of my friends go through her pantry, we separated the food from good to moderately bad to get rid of it ASAP. Over time, she was able to use up the products or get rid of them entirely. After a few months, her pantry and fridge no longer looked the same!
Learn to cook
Cooking may seem time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be! If you start small and master a few simple meals, you’ll become faster at cooking over time. Planning ahead is crucial for resisting the temptation to grab frozen meals or junk food.
If you need help with meal planning, visit this post, where I discuss mastering meal prep. Additionally, check out my collection of quick and easy crockpot recipes.
Here are a few of my favorite meals that take 30 minutes or less:
- Taco Bowls: cook beef and rice on stove. If you want more flavor, add beans, corn, and onions to the beef. Season and serve with fresh avocado and salsa.
- Sheet Pan Chicken: Slice fresh chicken into strips and add to a baking sheet with diced potatoes and green beans. Cook in the over for about 20-25 minutes at 350.
- Salmon and Coconut Rice: Place fresh salmon on a baking pan, add lemon juice and seasonings, and bake for 17 minutes at 400. Cook rice with coconut cream and water. You can also add broccoli to the pan.
Read the Labels
Don’t be overwhelmed when I tell you this, but take the time to read labels when you go shopping. If you want to be a real ingredient girl, then you have to learn what you put into your body! (;
Remember, fewer ingredients are always better. Avoid added sugars and artificial preservatives. Look for food in its most natural state. Most of your shopping will be done in the produce section!
Plan Ahead to avoid convenience foods
We all know how quickly life can sneak up on us. Before we know it, school events, sports, and life commitments have us running around like mad women. If you do not have a solid plan for these seasons, processed and frozen meals will sneak back into your routine in no time. Planning ahead is your superpower!
Meal Prep: Dedicating a few hours each week to meal planning, shopping, and prepping will save you so much time on busy days. Use the crockpot if you know you will be gone all day. If you get home late and forget to take meat out of the freezer, use the Instant Pot!
Freezer Staples: Make extra batches of soups, sauces, and pre-cooked meals to store in the freezer.
Keep it simple: Not every meal needs to be elaborate! There are nights when we eat salad, fried rice, or sandwiches on homemade bread. Sometimes, a hearty salad is all you need before bed.
Remember, it is a lifestyle
Becoming an ingredient girl is a journey, and it definitely doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s totally okay! Just give yourself some grace as you explore what works best for you and your family. This journey can truly change the way you eat and how you feel overall!
I remember the times when my family and I were in a season of “convenience.” We ate frozen meals, fast food, and deli chicken more often than I’d like to admit! But now that we’ve switched to cooking our own meals, making homemade bread, and enjoying as much fresh produce as possible, I can feel the difference in my health and mood. I feel amazing, and I’m confident you will, too! Let’s embrace this tasty adventure together! Share your experiences below. (:
