Make over your pantry and fridge with these healthy staples for your favorite recipes.
You’ve never too young (or too old!) to commit to a heart-healthy lifestyle. One of the easiest — and best — changes you can make is to stock your pantry and refrigerator with building-block foods. If you have these basics on hand, it’s easier to make healthy choices when it’s time to eat, or when you’re looking to improve your favorite chunky chili or chicken pot pie.
Refrigerator
- Fresh fish
- Lean meats like turkey breast or chicken breast
- Low-fat cheese and yogurt
- 1 percent or skim milk
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
Pantry
- Olive oil or canola oil
- Light bottled vinaigrette salad dressings
- Herbs and spices to add flavor without adding salt
- Whole-grain, low-sugar breakfast cereal or low-sugar oatmeal packets
- Low-salt mixed nuts
- Reduced-fat, whole-grain crackers
- Light popcorn
- Low-sodium broth and soup
- Whole-grain pastas and brown rice (also consider options like couscous, barley or quinoa for variety)
- Tomato-based canned pasta sauce (look for organic versions with low sodium content)
- Canned tuna packed in water
- Whole-wheat flour
- Canned beans
- Flavored, sugar-free mineral water, no-calorie iced tea, or ice water flavored with lemon or lime
Freezer
- Frozen fruit (just add low-fat yogurt and 100 percent juice and blend for a healthy smoothie)
- Frozen spinach adds color and nutrients to any omelet, pasta dish or casserole
- Frozen broccoli florets
- Frozen whole-grain waffles
- Frozen all-natural chicken breast
- Veggie burgers (look for low-sodium varieties)
- Frozen mixed vegetables (perfect for a quick and easy side dish)
Use these staples in some of our favorite recipes, or get creative with your own Southern cooking swaps.
