Healthy Pantry Staples to Start Stocking up On

Following a nutritious and balanced diet starts with 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. 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
frozen cauliflower
frozen edamame

FAQ

Canned beans, lentils, tomatoes, and tuna or salmon are versatile, long-lasting options that can be easily added to soups, salads, or pasta dishes

Group items by category, label all containers, and rotate items so that the older ones get used first. You should also make a list of staples you always want to have on hand to avoid last-minute trips to the store.

Definitely! With a well-stocked pantry, you can create balanced meals quickly and easily. Canned beans, frozen vegetables, whole grains, and healthy oils or seasonings can all be used to make soups, stir-fries, salads, and more, without needing to buy fresh ingredients every time.

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.