KitchenJune 17, 20264 min read
An organized cook is an efficient cook
When healthy foods are easy to see and easy to reach, you are more likely to use them. Four small steps toward a kitchen that works with you.
A well-organized kitchen helps you cook with less stress, less waste, and less time searching for ingredients. When healthy foods are easy to see and easy to reach, you are more likely to use them.
You do not need a perfect kitchen or expensive containers. Start small. Even organizing one shelf, one drawer, or one pantry category can make meal prep easier.
Home-cooked meals can also help you better manage cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and overall energy because you have more control over ingredients like sodium, added sugar, saturated fat, and fiber.
Make healthy foods easy to see
Keep everyday items visible and within reach. Foods that are hidden in the back of a cabinet are easy to forget and may go unused.
Helpful idea: place oats, canned beans, whole grains, fruit cups, nuts, and low-sodium soups where you can see them.Step 1
Group like items together
Put similar foods in the same area so your kitchen makes sense at a glance. This makes cooking faster and reduces duplicate purchases.
- Breakfast items together
- Canned goods together
- Whole grains together
- Spices together
- Snacks together
Step 2
Use simple containers, bins, or baskets
Containers can help keep items from spreading all over the pantry. You do not need anything fancy. Clear bins, baskets, shoeboxes, or labeled containers can all work.
Helpful idea: use large-print labels so items are easy to find.Step 3
Keep safety and convenience in mind
Store heavy items, like large cans or bags of flour, on lower shelves. Keep the foods you use most often between waist and shoulder height. Try not to rely on step stools for everyday items.
Step 4
