8 foods you should ALWAYS have in your cupboards

All mums have experienced that moment when the kids are hungry, the fridge is empty and a sad frozen pizza ends up on the dinner table.

It doesn’t make you a bad parent, but stacking your cupboard with a few healthy ingredients can prevent this from happening again.

Eating healthy isn’t complicated – the main ingredient is organisation, and cupboard staples are real life-savers. 

Here are eight  foods you should always have in hand to make your life easier, and your family healthier. 

1. Chickpeas

A can of chickpea goes a long way! This versatile legume can be turned into falafels, hummus, or added to a salad or a curry. Rich in fibre and protein, chickpeas are a nutritious and delicious staple for your family.

2. Quinoa

One of the world's most popular health foods, quinoa can be used as a base for a salad, a casserole or just as a delicious side. It cooks in 15 minutes but you can also cook it in bulks at the beginning of the week so it is always available.  

3. Pasta

Pasta suffers from a bad reputation, but a bowl of pasta with a few tablespoons of passata and a sprinkle of cheese is healthier than pretty much any processed ready-made food.

4. Oats

The epitome of a cupboard essential, oats are a real Irish mums favourite and we totally concur to this. There is nothing wrong in giving your kids bowl of porridge for dinner once in awhile…   

5. Sardines

This oily fish is a healthy, cheap and delicious source of protein and good fats. Added to a salad, on some crackers or in a pasta sauce, sardines are very versatile and have all it takes to be cupboard essential. 

6. Corn

Mix quinoa, black beans and a can of corn and you have a delicious dish to serve your family in just a few minutes. If you are feeling it, add some feta from the jar you keep in the fridge, some dried coriander and a squeeze of lime.

7. Passata and chopped tomatoes

As the base of a tomato sauce, in a chilli or a curry, tomato passata and chopped tomatoes are a healthy alternative to a ready-made sauce that often contains a lot of sugar. They can be counted as one of your five-a-day and provide loads of nutrients.

8. Coconut milk

This plant-based food makes a delicious creamy base for many dishes (mix chickpeas, potatoes, frozen spinach, coconut milk and a few spices for the easiest and most delicious curry) and you should always keep a few cans on hand.