Eating well is a full time job. It takes proper planning and careful consideration. What you keep in the house is just as important as what you put on your plate. It can be easy to prepare meals and set aside healthy foods for the week, but what about when hunger strikes and you need to reach for something in the cupboard? If your house is stocked with junk food, such as chips and candy, it will be hard to achieve your wellness goals. Today, we’re sharing 8 staples that you should keep in your pantry at all times. They’re great to grab as a snack or to add nutrition to meals, and they are healthy and delicious!
Coconut oil
Everyone is on the coconut oil craze, but for good reason! Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid so it’s one of those “good” fats. Due to its fatty acid properties, coconut oil is great for stabilizing blood sugar. So next time you’re craving something sweet reach in your cabinet and take a spoonful of coconut oil. If your craving doesn’t subside add another spoonful to some melted dark chocolate and dip some strawberries in there. The coconut oil gives the chocolate a touch of sweetness and creaminess, and makes the perfect healthy snack!
Apples
We all have heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, it’s true. Apples contain antioxidants that help to boost your immunity. They also contain a lot of fiber so they make a great snack, especially when you’re looking for something with a bite to it. Fruit is best to eat on an empty stomach, your body will digest it better. Plus fruit is so easy: just wash and enjoy!
Nutritional flakes
A lot of people haven’t heard of them, but these little flakes but they pack a huge punch when it comes to flavor and nutrition. Yeast flakes are derived from wood pulp, whey or molasses and contain a ton of B vitamins to give you energy. They’re also a great source of protein! These flakes have a nutty or cheesy taste and are delicious when sprinkled on veggies. They are also perfect to add to freshly popped popcorn for movie night! But make sure you add them after everything is cooked, because heat can destroy their health benefits.
Nuts
Peanuts, pistachios, almonds — all three of these nuts should be pantry staples! Nuts make a great snack, they’re a little salty and have some crunch, a much healthier alternative to potato chips. They’re full of fiber and protein to keep you full all day long!
Flax seeds
Flax seeds look like sesame seeds, but they contain a different set of nutritional values. One tablespoon of ground flax seed contains almost 2 grams of fiber! With all of the fiber packed into these tiny seeds, they are great for digestion. Flax seed also helps lower cholesterol, because they’re a great source of omega 3s, and they can even aide in weight loss! These seeds don’t have a lot of flavor, so they’re perfect to add to oatmeal, yogurt or even smoothies. Try adding them to your kids’ favorite smoothie; your kids won’t even notice they’re there! Just make sure you grind them up before using them, and store them in the freezer. Whole flax will pass right through you, making you miss all of its nutritional value. And once they’re ground, the oils in them can cause them to go rancid quickly, so freezing is always the best storage option.
Apple cider vinegar
You should always keep some apple cider vinegar in your pantry. Apple cider vinegar is alkalizing and helps to kick your metabolism into high gear! Adding a tablespoon or two to a glass of water first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day. It can also be used to make healthy salad dressings. Just make sure you get the organic apple cider vinegar fermented with mother. This contains the most health benefits.
Chia seeds
These tiny seeds are a pantry must-have! You can add them to so many different foods to enhance texture and to add nutrients. Like flax seeds, chia seeds are packed with fiber and omega 3s. One ounce of chia seeds contains 10 grams of fiber! That’s almost a third of the recommended daily value of fiber for adults. They are great sprinkled on avocado toast, used as a salad topping or they can even be used to make chia seed pudding. They swell and absorb liquid, so add some to your favorite milk, let it chill over night in the fridge, and in the morning you’ll have a healthy breakfast on the go!
Quinoa
This ancient grain is full of goodness! Swap rice for quinoa or use it to make a summer salad. This grain is gluten free and contains a boat load of protein. It’s delicious when added to chili to add extra protein to keep you full all day long!
Stocking your pantry with healthy foods will get you to your weight loss goals that much quicker! Pick up these delicious treats next time you head to the grocery store or farmers market, you won’t regret it!
To learn more about nutrition and women’s health, check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard.
Hi Lori-Ann,
Nice list!! I have almost every one of these foods in my pantry. I think I’ll drink some ACV water in the morning. I always add lemon, but switching it up sometimes is good.
Take care,
Evelyn
Thank you! These are all such staples! Sometimes I add ACV to my lemon water, kills two birds with one stone!