How to Stock Your Pantry for Healthier, Easier Meals
Until I learned the fine art of pantry stocking, I’d find myself at the grocery store four or more times per week, picking up whichever last-minute ingredients I needed for the evening meal. When I couldn’t make it to the supermarket, I relied on frozen pizza, boxed macaroni and cheese, and even the occasional bag of cookies for a quick (and guilt-inducing) dinner. But with a young family to feed and baby-weight to lose, I had to put these habits to rest. My solution: the well-stocked pantry, which I’ve gradually perfected as my cooking skills have improved. Having cooking staples on hand cuts down on those last-minute trips to the supermarket and calls to the nearest pizza joint, and gives your family endless meal options. Of course, these aren’t the only foods you’ll need; fresh fruits, veggies and meats are essential, but they require frequent restocking, so it's easy to be caught without them. I always keep these staples in my kitchen to whip up healthy flavorful meals, even when I haven’t been to the supermarket in a week.
Breads and Grains
Whole-grain tortillas
Plain dry bread crumbs
Pasta, both regular and whole-wheat varieties in an assortment of shapes, such as linguine, farfalle, rigatoni, capellini, penne, spaghetti and rotini
Rice, including brown, white and wild varieties
Whole-grain bread
Canned Goods
Beans, including black, kidney, pinto and cannellini
Low-sodium broth, both chicken and beef (vegetable stock is great if your family follows a vegetarian diet)
Diced tomatoes
Pizza sauce
Tomato paste
Crushed tomatoes
Tuna packed in water
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Refrigerated Foods
Eggs
Fat-free milk
Fat-free plain Greek yogurt
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Low-fat sour cream
Parmesan cheese
Frozen Foods
Peas
Broccoli
Corn
Mixed vegetables
Shrimp
Chicken breasts
Lean ground beef
Lean ground turkey
Spinach
Pureed winter squash
Unsweetened mixed berries
Unsweetened sliced peaches
Sauces and Condiments
Salsa
Dijon mustard
Hot pepper sauce
Pasta sauce
Soy sauce
Teriyaki sauce
Ketchup
Other
Onions
Garlic
Sweet potatoes
Potatoes
Canola oil
Extra-virgin olive oil
Basic spices including basil, thyme, oregano, black pepper, paprika, chili powder and cumin
Spice blends such as lemon-pepper, Old Bay and grill seasoning
