I love to cook and am addicted to cooking shows. Many cooking shows emhasize the well-stocked pantry, but only a few emphasize the healthy pantry, a pantry stocked with low-salt, low-fat foods. Though the contents of my pantry varies with the season, I always have healthy foods on hand. I keep these foods in mind when planning meals. The foods are grouped in categories and I have labeled the shelves. What is in my pantry?
VEGETABLES
Canned diced tomatoes (no salt) Canned tomato sauce (no salt) Canned corn (no salt) Canned artichokes, packed in water Roasted red peppers Water chestnuts (sliced) Green chilies (chopped) Dehydrated onions
FRUITS
Canned peaches (lite or sweetened with Splenda) Canned pears (lite or sweetened with Splenda) Mandarin oranges Unsweetened apple sauce Dried apples Dried cranberries Dried cherries
GRAINS
Basmati rice Brown rice Wild rice Wheat pasta (spaghetti, angel hair, spirals) Oatmeal (regular and steel-cut) Corn meal Shredded wheat Wheat flakes
NUTS AND SEEDS
Walnuts (whole and pieces) Almonds (sliced and slivered) Unsalted peanuts Reduced fat peanut butter Sesame seeds Celery seeds Caraway seeds
STAPLES
Wheat and white flour (combined) Gravy flour Sugar (2 pounds or less) Honey Splenda Splenda Blend for Baking Calorie-free brown sugar Cocoa powder Baking powder Baking soda Cornstarch Sodium-free bullion cubes (chicken and beef) Dried buttermilk Sugar-free strawberry, apricot and orange jam
FISH
Canned tuna (packed in water) Canned crab (packed in water) Canned salmon
VINEGARS AND OILS
Rice wine vinegar Cider vinegar Red wine vinegar Balsamic vinegar (small bottle) Extra light olive oil Canola oil Cooking spray (olive oil or corn oil)
SEASONINGS
Low sodium salt Pepper: coarse ground, lemon and seasoned Italian seasonings: dried basil, thyme, oregano Baking seasonings: ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger Onion powder Garlic powder Vanilla, almond, and orange extracts
ONCE IN A WHILE FOODS
Low-sodium celery soup Low-sodium tomato soup Marinara or spaghetti sauce (lowest salt I can find) Sugar free mousse mix (chocolate and vanilla) Angel food cake mix Corn muffin mix Yellow cake mix
Having a healthy pantry helps me to prepare healthy meals. To make meals even healthier I buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. I have told you what is in my pantry. What is in yours? If you haven't stocked your pantry with healthy foods I hope you will do it today. Eating healthy foods will help you to have a healthier life.
Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson