A Peek Inside the Dietitian's Kitchen

I often get the question: “So, what do YOU eat?” It is usually asked innocently enough by one of my clients or a nutrition student, but for some reason the question always makes me squirm a little. Similarly, when I have friends over, like clockwork my cupboards and fridge get peered into, with the spectator proclaiming something to the effect of, “I want to see what a dietitian eats!” 

While I can certainly understand their curiosity and desire to find out if their dietitian friend is really a potato chip-eating human, too, I still shy away from proudly displaying the contents of my cupboards and instead attempt to change the subject.

My discomfort in this situation baffles me because I really do have a very healthy diet and nothing to hide. 

So to prove that, I have decided to use this week’s column to divulge what I currently have in my kitchen and therefore, what I will be eating in the next few days. 

First, a few disclaimers. Keep in mind that the following is just a snapshot of what I eat. And though I love to cook, I do not do it often at present. Most of my meals are composed of random parts thrown together.  Ok, let’s go!

I feel panicky if I don’t have a sufficient supply of in my kitchen. There is no denying I have a sweet tooth (thanks Mom!), and fruit provides the perfect, healthy sweetness that is much more satisfying than, say, a cookie. On the counter I have organic pink lady apples and navel oranges in my fruit bowl. I have red grapes in my fridge, dried cherries and mixed berries in my cupboard (this is the stuff of a dietitian’s addiction), and three packages of frozen sweet cherries in my freezer. My current favorite summer post-workout snack is a partially thawed bag of frozen cherries. Cold, refreshing, and delicious.

I must have a hefty supply of peanut butter on hand at all times. Peanut butter is so versatile and can be eaten with or on almost anything. Out of bread? No problem! I will spread a tablespoon of peanut butter onto a banana, mix it with dry cereal, or eat it right off the spoon. I love eating (healthy) fat, and peanut butter is a convenient and satisfying favorite.

Another of my “must-haves” is some kind of go-to (i.e. easy) grain product for quick sandwiches. My grain item of choice right now is 100 percent mini bagels. I will usually have on-hand either bread, pitas, tortillas, or bagels, and they will always be 100 percent . I also have Frosted Mini-Wheats in my cupboard that make a lovely, quick breakfast or snack with some organic skim milk splashed over them.

Canned are the most perfect “convenience” food ever invented as far as I’m concerned. Over the course of a week, I will typically consume two to three cans and thus, my cupboard currently contains four cans. A can of garbanzo or black beans can be a meal for me (with some fruit on the side and maybe yogurt for dessert). It may sound odd, but I love the fact that I can eat the whole can! Beans really are the unsung nutritional hero in my book as an excellent plant source of protein and fiber. If I’m feeling the need to spice it up, I will mix the beans with some hummus or add cumin and a dollop of nonfat plain yogurt. I am all about convenience these days, and I really can’t think of anything easier than opening up a can of beans, rinsing them off, and sitting down to eat.

Pre-washed and pre-cut vegetables are what currently sit in my fridge. Don’t get me wrong, I love the farmers market but my most recent food-shopping trip was to a store: so, I opted for easy. I have sugar snap peas, organic baby spinach leaves for salads and sandwiches, organic baby carrots, organic cut up broccoli, and string beans. All of these things will be snacked and munched on profusely in the next few days. If the thought of crunching on fresh, plain veggies makes me bored, I have two containers of hummus for dipping and scooping.

I don’t eat a lot of animal protein. I rarely touch meat. That being said, I will have canned tuna about twice per week. I buy the kind in olive oil—it just tastes better to me. I’ll mix it with a tablespoon or two of light mayo and plop it on an aforementioned whole-wheat item with some baby spinach leaves.

Ok folks, I know what you’re thinking. She just listed the healthy stuff she has. What about all the other stuff she’s not telling us? Alas, the time has come. I have found it is good practice for me to keep some dark chocolate around, and I currently have a small supply in my cupboard. I love chocolate and there are times when nothing else will do the trick to calm a craving. I just have to have some chocolate in my life.

I also enjoy cheese. There I said it! I do love cheese. Right now I have some low-fat mozzarella slices in my fridge. I will pull out a slice to snack on or use to make a quick cheese, hummus, and spinach sandwich.

Lastly, I must confess that I am a sucker for a good hot dog. Every few weeks I will splurge on some organic, grass-fed beef hot dogs. Yum.