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Keep interesting, ready-to-use spices within reach, like crushed coriander, fennel seed, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger. Use a pinch of this and a pinch of that to give life to any meal. Pre-made spice blends like dukkha and za'atar are also good to have on call to add instant texture and flavor.

Pick up a rotisserie chicken from the market or roast. Spend a few minutes shredding the meat and storing it in a container in the fridge so we're only ever a few seconds away from chicken quesadillas, chicken and rice, creamy chicken salads, and more.

Stock our pantry with good-quality canned proteins from the sea—think tuna, sardines, octopus, smoked mussels—and perhaps a jar of fancy peppers. Toast a few slices of that pre-frozen bread, rub the toasted slices with a cut clove of garlic, and feast.

It goes without saying that we should have some in our pantry at all times, but change up our flavor profiles with these condiments that work surprisingly well as sauces. And if we haven't mastered the cacao e Pepe-style sauce of super creamy pasta water/olive oil/pram, we highly recommend it.

Our freezer is a best friend. Keep building blocks such as shelled edamame, spinach, chopped scallions (because there are always too many in a bunch), tomato sauce, and ground beef in there. That way, we'll always have healthy ingredients to toss into pastas, stir fries, etc.

Roast several kinds of root veggies (carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, parsnips) on a couple of baking sheets. Once were tired of adding them to grain bowls and salads throughout the week, blend them into soup. For all our roasting needs, use this matrix.

Bananas help you fill up and come in their own portable packaging. The folate and vitamin B6 in bananas aid in the production of serotonin, which can help improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Unsweetened plain Greek yogurt and skyr both provide probiotic benefits. Choose ones that have five strains or more of bacterial cultures per 6-ounce serving.

Frozen waffles are an easy, delicious swap for toast. Look for water or 100% whole grains as the first ingredient, and keep the added sugar content as low as possible.

Sesame, chia, sunflower, pumpkin, flax ... The list of great-for-you seeds goes on. Add them to cereal, smoothies, puddings, and even baked goods.

Full of vitamins A, D, and B12, eggs are an inexpensive and nutrient-dense ingredient. Two large eggs contain more than 50% of the choline you need each day, which affects memory, mood, and muscle control.

Oats are one of the best foods we can eat for a number of reasons. As a 100% whole-grain, they’re filled with fiber, plant-based protein, B-vitamins, and minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium.