I'm a dietitian on the Mediterranean diet. Here are 12 things I'm buying at Target right now.
- As a dietitian on the Mediterranean diet, I'm impressed with Target's spring groceries.
- I love buying ground beef and mushrooms to make blended burgers at barbecues.
- Pickles, freeze-dried fruit, and Olipop prebiotic sodas are things my whole family enjoys.
Target's home decor is to die for, and its sundress selection is always impressive — it's no wonder I find myself there more and more once spring has sprung.
But beyond the pastel clothing and holiday decorations, the store has an impressive grocery section, especially if you're like me and don't love to spend a ton of time cooking.
As a dietitian, I follow the Mediterranean diet, which has been named the healthiest way to eat by US News & World Report for years. Luckily, Target stocks plenty of the staples I need to stick to it.
Here are 12 things I'm buying at Target this spring to welcome the season and keep things fresh.
Whole grains, like quinoa, are a staple in the Mediterranean diet.
Once the weather starts to warm up, I like to make big grain-based salads that I can keep in the fridge for easy meals.
My go-to is cooked quinoa with diced cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and parsley tossed with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Since the Mediterranean diet emphasizes healthy fats, avocados are a natural addition as a source of monounsaturated fatty acids.
Plus, the unsaturated fat in avocados can act as a nutrient booster by helping to increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K, and E.
I love having avocados on hand as a satisfying addition to sandwiches, salads, and so much more. And when snacktime rolls around in the spring and summer, I use avocados to make homemade guacamole.
Good & Gather's organic milk comes at a great price point ($4), and it tastes fantastic too.
I have growing kids at home, so milk is a must in my fridge all year round to support bone health with calcium.
Yes, I drink wine as a dietitian.
The Mediterranean diet allows for moderate consumption of red wine, so it's a natural fit. I only ever have one glass (and most days are booze-free).
When springtime entertaining opportunities arise, malbec is my go-to.
The Mediterranean diet centers on nutrient-dense, fermented foods, and yogurt is one of my favorites.
I love having plain yogurt in the fridge for springtime smoothies that help me meet my daily quota of fruits and veggies.
Olipop's watermelon-lime prebiotic soda is perfect for warmer weather and outdoor hangs.
I wish my family ate enough fiber every day, but that simply doesn't happen consistently. Since the soda provides 9 grams of prebiotic fiber a can, I'm happy to offer it in my home to support gut health.
Beef is typically consumed in moderation in the Mediterranean diet. Some of my favorite recipes feature it as a complement to plenty of fresh produce and herbs — emphasizing its role in a balanced meal rather than making it the central focus.
With grilling season around the corner, I love making blended burgers with ground beef and mushrooms. The meat is packed with iron, and it's an easy way to sneak in more veggies.
Speaking of, I always pick up some mushrooms at Target for my easy blended burgers.
Mushrooms are a source of ergothioneine, an antioxidant that helps to protect the body's cells from damage.
There are so many fresh fruits to choose from in spring, but freeze-dried varieties are a better fit for my house.
Freeze-dried fruit can be just as nutritious as fresh but with a far longer shelf life — and my kiddo loves snacking on it.
Green tea isn't a typical staple on the Mediterranean diet, but I like to drink it all year for its antioxidant benefits.
As the weather warms, I start to reach for iced tea. Occasionally, I'll also add some mint or strawberries to allow the additional natural flavor to seep into the beverage.
Pickles can be a part of Mediterranean cuisine, depending on the region you're modeling your diet after. They're made from cucumbers, and the Grillo brand leans heavily on dill, garlic, and other herbs and spices.
I love putting pickles out on a nice dish for springtime entertaining. And they're a great addition to tuna and chicken salads.
Cauliflower wings are a fun way to include more veggies in my family's diet while we are watching a movie on the couch or entertaining friends.
We love chicken wings, but deep-fried meats aren't really part of the Mediterranean diet. The veggie version is a great plant-based alternative that still gives us the same vibe.