A new year is upon us and for many that means new health goals are in place. While it is easy to make a long list of new healthy habits, sometimes the best approach is to start small. Where is the best place to begin? Creating a clean and healthy pantry provides an avenue for healthy food choices, and can help keep your health goals on track. Below are some tips on how to get started!
Begin with the basics
Aim to have key items from various food groups so that you always have go-to healthy food items to choose from!
- Fats: supply the pantry with heart-healthy oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil.
- Grains: whenever possible, aim to have whole grain foods in the pantry for extra vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These can include items such as: breads, brown rice, pasta, quinoa, oatmeal, and cereals.
- Protein: protein plays an important role in keeping muscles strong, but it can also help keeping your body fuller for longer. Try keeping protein sources such as beans, tuna fish packets, nuts, lentils, and seeds in the pantry for a quick and healthy go-to meal!
Get organized
Once you have your staples, having an organized pantry will help to ensure these foods do not go to waste.
Try organizing your pantry by food group so that you know where to look each time. This can also help save money by avoiding purchasing duplicates of foods you already
have!
Make use of adventurous ingredients
Ever try a recipe requiring an ingredient you have never tried before? Don’t be afraid to use it! Add that ingredient to your pantry and continue to try new recipes with it to help add new foods to your pantry staples.
Spice it up!
Spices are a great way to add flavor without adding extra calories. Keep a group of simple spices in the pantry to add flavor and variety to your meals. Examples include salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder, chili powder, crushed red pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg.