How is your pantry looking? The key to eating well without stress is to have great go-to products ready at home at all times. Fill your cabinets with food that is going to help you reach your goals. That way you are always set up for success! When you come home tired and stressed, make a healthy, balanced, delish dinner in minutes rather than standing in front of the fridge hoping some miracle food will appear…or worse, eating a way too caloric, processed meal because you didn’t have a plan in place.
I have been reading BiRite’s Eat Good Food cookbook (yes I am a total dork who has a cookbook on her nightstand) and I took some of Sam’s great advice to start you with a pantry list. This is just to get you started – make it work for you!
Do you want to master your pantry list? Check out the class at 18 Reasons specifically on stocking your pantry. A great way to make your kitchen work for you.
Let me know what you think. Any additions? Would love to hear back from you. Have go-to proteins in your refrigerator and/or freezer and yummy meals are minutes away.
Starches:
Brown Rice
Whole Wheat Bread
Whole Wheat Pasta
Quinoa
Oats
Hi Fiber Cereal
Cous Cous
Tortilla
Tip: Go for organic and be sure to read the box or package. There should be no added fillers or extra ingredients.
Legumes/Beans:
Black Beans
Pinto Beans
Kidney Beans
Garbanzo Beans
Cannellini Beans
Lentils
Tip: BPA is often in cans – go for organic and choose companies with low BPA content
Broths/Sauces:
Vegetable Broth
Chicken Broth
Marinara Sauce
Boxed tomatoes (lower-no BPA)
Tip: Watch sodium content. Go for products that have very few ingredients. Also, consider making broth and sauces and freezing them.
Oils:
Olive Oil
Rice bran Oil
Grapeseed oil
Tip: Do not leave oil next to your stove top! Keep in a cool, dark place to prevent rancidity.
Fats:
Olives
Olive tapenade
Nut butter
Nuts
Seeds
Tip: An appropriate portion of fats is 2 Tablespoons or 1/4 cup
Flavor!
Hot sauce
Salsa
Pickles
Capers
Mustard
Vinegar (red wine, white wine, champagne, balsamic)
Sun dried Tomatoes
Cinnamon
Cumin
Oregano
All Spice
Salt
Pepper
Tip: Flavor is the key to success! What flavors and tastes do you love??? Always have them available so every dish will be delicious. Also, note that none of the foods in this category have calories. Go crazy with em!
Fish:
Anchovies packed in salt
Sardines in olive oil
Canned tuna packed in olive oil (look for third party certification like “Marine Stewardship Council”)
Wild Alaskan canned salmon
Tip: Take notice of where your fish is coming from and how it is processed.