Following a nutritious and balanced diet starts with having a well-stocked kitchen. In fact, keeping a few key pantry staples on hand makes it much easier to combat cravings and hunger, without hitting the drive-thru or reaching for junk food. Plus, it can make grocery shopping a breeze, allowing you to focus on foods with a shorter shelf-life, such as fruits, veggies and proteins.
Ready to start switching up your shopping list? Keep reading for a comprehensive list with some of the top pantry staples that you should start stocking up on.
Canned Goods
With a few key canned goods on hand, you can whip up a healthy meal pretty easily, even if you’re running short on other ingredients. Be sure to look for canned ingredients that are low in sodium and free of bisphenol A (BPA), a type of chemical sometimes used in the lining of cans that can be harmful to health.
Here are a few crucial canned pantry essentials:
- Beans (including legumes like chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, etc.)
- Lentils
- Diced/crushed tomatoes
- Coconut milk
- Fish (such as tuna, anchovies, sardines, etc.)
- Vegetables (including peas, carrots, potatoes and corn)
Baking Staples
Whether you’re a novice baker or a pastry professional, it’s always good to have a few baking staples in your kitchen. In fact, many of these ingredients go beyond baked goods and can be used to add texture, flavor or volume to other dishes as well.
Here are a few of the best baking staples to buy:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Yeast
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Honey
- Maple syrup
Dry Goods
Dry goods like whole grains, nuts and seeds are a must-have on your pantry essentials list. These foods can be used in a variety of different dishes and are easy to incorporate into snacks, side dishes and main courses alike.
Here are some dry goods to stock up on:
- Oatmeal
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Couscous
- Whole wheat pasta
- Nuts (including almonds, walnuts, pistachios, etc.)
- Seeds (chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds)
- Dried fruit
- Nut butters
Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices are key components for a well-stocked kitchen. Not only can these basic pantry staples help add flavor to foods, but they can also ramp up the health benefits of your favorite ingredients as well.
Here are a few to help get you going:
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Turmeric
- Dill
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Basil
- Dill
- Parsley
- Coriander
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
Oils, Vinegars and Sauces
From cooking oils to sauces, broths and vinegars, there are several liquid ingredients that are crucial for cooking and preparing a multitude of dishes.
Here are some of the best liquid healthy pantry staples to add to your kitchen cupboard:
- Olive oil
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Pesto
- Tomato sauce
- Vegetable broth
Frozen Foods
In addition to the pantry essentials listed above, filling up your freezing can also be beneficial. These frozen foods work well tossed into smoothies or sautéed or steamed to make a simple side dish.
Here are some frozen foods that deserve a slot on your staple grocery list:
- Frozen berries
- Frozen spinach
- Frozen peas
- Frozen broccoli
Conclusion
Filling your kitchen with a few of the ingredients on this pantry staples list can ensure that you have plenty of healthy ingredients on hand to whip up nutritious meals any time.
It can also help streamline your shopping trips, saving you time to focus on other foods with a shorter shelf-life, such as fruits, veggies and proteins. Try printing out this list of pantry staples for healthy eating and keep it on hand next time you hit the grocery store.
