
07 Sep EATING HEALTHY: STOCKING THE PERFECT PANTRY
Keeping your pantry and fridge full of tasty, healthy options will certainly have a positive impact on your health and wellbeing. In our continued efforts to limit the (unwanted) jiggling of man ass, here some items to always stock your pantry with. Make sure you’re also stocking the perfect fridge.
Perishable
Avocados
Full of healthy fats that help keep you strong and injury free, avocados are also full of monounsaturated fats that lower your cholesterol.
Bagels (whole grain only)
Whole grain bagels are loaded with complex carbs that deliver energy over a long period of time.
Bananas
The high levels of potassium in bananas allow you to absorb fluids more quickly and thereby recover from and avoid cramps. Bananas also have a lot of energy-boosting carbs.
Oranges
Available year-round, easy to take on the go, and packed with vitamin C, oranges are a great fruit to keep in your kitchen. In addition to just peeling and eating them, try juicing one or chopping wedges into a salad.
Nonperishable:
Beef and Chicken broth (low sodium only)
Great to keep around for making soups, sauces and marinades, be sure to purchase the low sodium variety to keep it healthy.
Crackers (rice or whole wheat)
Sometimes you’ll need crackers to act as a binding agent in more complicated recipes. More frequently though, you’ll find that crackers are great to have in case of an impromptu gathering at your place. Cut up some cheese and serve on a platter with crackers for easy finger food.
Nuts
Portion size is important to keep the high-calorie count of nuts in check, but in the right portions, nuts can lower the risk for coronary heart disease. With a massive variety of nuts and preparations, you should be able to find several combinations to keep around.
Salsa
Think of salsa as a vegetable and eat it with everything to ensure you’re getting your five daily servings. Salsa has no fat, low sodium, few calories, and high levels of lycopene (a carotenoid).
Oats
The high fiber and glucan content in oats will reduce your cholesterol and boost your immune system. When recipes like meatloaf call for crumbled crackers, use oats instead.
Olive oil
Whether you’re using olive oil to coat a frying pan or as part of a salad dressing, you’ll enjoy its delicious flavor as well as its heart friendly health benefits.
Pancake mix
The general idea here is to keep healthy food around the house. That said, you should have one recipe in your back pocket that’s sinfully unhealthy. We vote for pancakes because they’re easy to make and work well as both breakfast and dinner. Impress your “overnight guest(s)” by making pancakes in the morning; bonus points for chopping up whatever fruit you have sitting around and making homemade sauce to go with.
Pasta (whole grain only) and pasta sauce
When you need an easy, healthy meal in 15 minutes, there are few options better than a bowl of pasta. Make sure you buy whole grain pasta for its fiber and health benefits. Also, check the labels of the sauce before you buy; some brands are high in sugar.
Spices
You can go crazy with what you stock, or just go with the basics—garlic powder, salt, pepper, basil, red pepper flakes, thyme, etc. The key isn’t your variety of spices, but how deftly you use them. Use recipes as a guide, but don’t be afraid to alter to your tastes.
Rice (brown only)
Brown rice is a good source of B vitamins and minerals like magnesium and iron. Pair it with veggies and a lean protein for a well-rounded meal.
Vinegar (balsamic and red wine)
Vinegar can be put to a variety of uses in the kitchen, including as part of a vinaigrette or marinade. It also improves flavor when added to canned goods.