12 Healthy Pantry Staples to Stock Your Kitchen With

When it comes to eating healthy, we often think of our refrigerator as the place to store our healthy food items. In order to make healthy eating even easier though, we should also remember to stock up our pantries with healthy essentials that will make throwing a healthy meal together even in the busiest moments a breeze.

Next time you go to the supermarket, make sure you grab these healthy pantry staples, so you will always have them on hand to complete your meals.

1 Canned tuna

It is not only cheap and convenient, it is also healthy. Rich in protein plus omega-3 fatty acids, tuna packed in water makes for a great addition to salads and wraps. It is also delicious with sticks of celery.

2 Extra virgin olive oil

Olive oil is full of monounsaturated fat (the good kind of fat) as well as antioxidants. You can use it to cook with, drizzle it over vegetables, or make your own healthy salad dressing.

3 Vinegar

Vinegar has the power to give vegetables a whole new flavor when roasting them. It is also handy to mix with your olive oil for a fresh, healthy salad dressing.

4 Canned tomatoes

Filled with lycopene, an antioxidant that fights off cancer, canned tomatoes really come in handy when you need a soup base. Choose cans that do not have any added salt or are low in sodium.

5 Whole wheat pasta

Make your carbs work for you. Whole wheat types of pasta from spaghetti to bowties have more fiber to fill you up longer. But read the labels, though. Some types are not as healthy as they seem.

6 Brown rice

Another great carb to have on hand is brown rice. It retains essential nutrients unlike white rice because it is not processed. This is a great alternative for those that are gluten-free too since it does not contain wheat.

Read also – 9 Health Benefits of Eating Brown Rice

7 Oatmeal

This healthy breakfast item is great for keeping you full because it is loaded with fiber. It’s easy to have a fast, nutritious breakfast with this cholesterol-managing food.

8 Quinoa

Most people think of quinoa as a grain. And while it certainly cooks like one, it is a protein-rich plant. Great for meatless meals and diet-friendly salads.

9 Lentils

Low in fat and full of fiber and protein, lentils go great in soups and stews. They can also be tossed onto salads in a pinch for a powerful punch of nutrients that tastes great.

10 Beans

While dried beans are best, if convenience is a factor, buy canned beans with no salt added. Like lentils, they can be used in soups, stews, and salads. They can also replace meat in any meal.

Read also – 10 Veggies That Perfectly Replace Meat

11 Peanut butter

Choose natural peanut butter, or even another nut butter. They are full of protein and monounsaturated fats. There should only be nuts and salt listed in the ingredients for it to be a healthy choice.

12. Nuts

Nuts make for a great snack. Load up on cashews, peanuts, almonds and other nuts and store them in your airtight containers at home. Keep walnuts or almonds on hand for those munchable moments so you make a good choice when snacking.

Outfitting your pantry with these healthy staples is a must when it comes to healthy eating. Buy in bulk to save money and always have nutrient-dense foods at home. What healthy pantry staples do you have in your kitchen? Tell us!