Healthy Pantry Makeover
One of the simplest ways to ruin any diet is to have tempting foods on hand and available for snacking.
By getting rid of all these temptation foods, there will be a lot of empty room on those cupboard shelves, so we’ve found a list of healthy ingredients that would be wise to replace those Twinkies with:
In the cupboard
• Beans: Black, pinto, kidney, chickpeas, lentils, refried
• Rice: Brown, long-grain, rice mixes
• Pasta: Whole-wheat spaghetti, fettucini, penne, bowtie, ramen noodles
• Other grains: Couscous, orzo, cornmeal, whole-wheat crackers, breadsticks, bread crumbs
• Onions
• Canned tomatoes: Diced, whole, seasoned, sun-dried, sauce, salsa
• Canned vegetable: Mixed vegetables, green beans, mushrooms
• Canned and dried fruits: Applesauce, cranberries
• Sauces: Pasta, pizza, tomato
• Soups: Canned soups, broth, and bouillon and dried soup mixes
• Meats: Canned tuna, salmon, minced clams, and chicken
• Peanut butter
• Evaporated milk
• Vinegars: Cider, red and white wine, balsamic
• Your favorite herbs and spices
• Oils: Olive, canola, peanut, and non-fat cooking spray
In the refrigerator
• Vegetables and fruits
• 100% vegetable and fruit juices
• Reduced-fat milk and yogurt (without added sugar)
• Reduced-fat cheeses: Cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, Monterey Jack, cottage, Parmesan
• Reduced-fat sour cream and cream cheese
• Whole-wheat and corn tortillas
• Eggs
• Minced garlic
• Sauces: Worcestershire, soy, teriyaki, and chili
• Ketchup and mustard (spicy and Dijon)
• Salad dressings with olive oil or reduced-fat
By stocking your kitchen with healthy ingredients, you will be encouraged to make healthy, whole, and unprocessed foods. Not only will this improve the quality of the food you eat, but research has shown that the longer you take to prepare your meals, the less you will end up eating.