Feel like this is going to be an amazing year? Us too, and if you have that new year, new me mentality, we have you covered. We’re sharing how you can recover from the holiday madness with these nutritionist-approved healthy pantry foods.
Ready to give your pantry a detox? We got you.
The Top 8 Healthy Pantry Foods You Need in Your Kitchen
#1 Quinoa
Quinoa is a plant-based rockstar food we all should have in our pantry. It’s packed full of plant-based protein (providing a whopping 8 grams per cup), and quinoa is loaded with dietary fiber. This makes for one of the most convenient healthy pantry foods to have on hand to use in all of your recipes you would usually use rice.
#2 Lentils
Can we just talk about how amazing lentils are? Not only are they FULL of fiber—we’re talking nearly 16 grams per cup (hello gut-friendly food), but they are also a great way to supercharge your plant-based protein intake. Try using lentils to make a delish vegetarian bolognese sauce or add cooked lentils to your salad for an added crunch and health boost.
#3 Rolled Oats
One of our fav breakfast staples, rolled oats (like the real old fashioned rolled oats) are a must-have pantry staple. Not only are they fiber-rich, but they contain beta-glucan, a type of fiber that has been shown to help support healthy cholesterol levels and may even boost the immune system.
So, enjoy that morning bowl of oats, and top it off with some fresh berries, and superfood seed (hemp, chia, or flax) to get your day started off on a healthy note.
#4 Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are healthy pantry foods you always hear buzz about. Nutritionists and health professionals all rave about these superfoods, especially since studies have shown that those who eat nuts every day are healthier and live longer.
Plus, nuts and seeds are a must-have pantry staple to enjoy as quick grab and go snacks, or you can even whip up dairy-free nut milk or nut butter. So, what’s not to love? Try keeping things like almonds, cashews, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds on hand.
#5 Coconut Oil
Since coconut oil became popular a few years ago, it’s created quite the buzz. What we know is that coconut oil is super rich in medium-chain fatty acids that have been found to provide a pretty amazing source of energy. Plus, between the medium-chain fats and coconut oil’s lauric acid content, research finds that it may also help give us an immune boost (yes, please!)
Coconut oil also makes an awesome cooking oil, so keep it on hand and use it for cooking, blend it into a smoothie, or use it in place of butter.
#6 Nutritional Yeast
Looking for a way to add cheese to your meal without the dairy? Enter nutritional yeast—this dairy-free vegan superfood is packed full of B-vitamins and adds a cheesy flavor to your dish without the side of guilt.
Sprinkle some over a bowl of popcorn, over gluten-free pasta, or even enjoy it with your salad for a tasty and healthy boost.
#7 Canned Coconut Milk
Canned coconut milk makes a delicious and creamy dairy-free milk alternative that makes a must-have pantry staple for anyone looking to go dairy-free this year. Stick to the canned unsweetened version to avoid any added sugar, and use it in your morning cup of coffee or use as a base for a super creamy smoothie.
#8 Nut Butter
Last but not least is nut butter. A big part of making sure you have plenty of healthy pantry foods is to make sure that what you stock your pantry with makes whipping up healthy meals and snacks easy. Nut butter is great for this.
You can spread some almond butter onto gluten-free toast, use it as a dip for apple slices, or even blend it into a smoothie for an added protein boost.
Try stocking your pantry with a few different options like almond, cashew, and even coconut butter.
Stock Your Pantry Like a Pro
With these healthy pantry foods, you’ll go into the new year with your nutrition on point. These foods can provide you with a great way to supercharge your recipes, so feel free to mix and match and use these ingredients as often as you can.
The cleaner you eat, the closer you’ll get to reaching your health and fitness goals this year.
