I get asked all the time “whats in you’r pantry” So I put together a list of some of the products you can pretty much always find in my pantry. Pantry staples are key when it comes to whipping together a last minute meal. And New York living often means no room for extra “stuff” so its important to be smart about how you stock your pantry.
10 Pantry Staples
- Almond Milk— This dairy free alternative is one of my favorite milk substitutes. It’s rich in calcium and can be conveniently stored in your pantry. Once opened, it has to be refrigerated, but I always have back ups in my pantry. When buying any type of nut milks, be sure to look at the ingredients and stay away from anything with added sugars. Almond milk is a wonderful base for a smoothie, is great in cereals and can even be used in soups! Cream-less Broccoli Soup with crunchy chickpeas
- Canned Organic Beans— When buying beans, be sure to buy them organic. Organic beans have no added sodium, unlike most conventional canned beans. Beans are really versatile – they’re great thrown on a salad, they can easily be made into dips or, if your feeling up to it, you can even make a dessert with them! Vitamin Packed Black Bean Fudge Cookies
- Nuts— Perfect to snack on and one of the easiest grab and go foods. Be sure to buy nuts raw and unsalted. When nuts are roasted they lose a lot of their nutrients so, to get the full health benefits from them, better to have them raw. They are filled with fiber and healthy fats so they will be sure to curb your hunger and keep you feeing full! Apple Cinnamon Spice Protein Truffles
- Dried Fruits— Dried fruits have a bad reputation for being caloric and high in sugar. But if eaten/used appropriately they can be the perfect addition to any healthy diet. Pair them with nuts and you have the perfect snack to throw in your bag as you head out the door. This is a much better option than a glorified “candy” bar, aka a protein bar. I use dried fruit to sweeten all my recipes instead of using maple syrup, agave syrup or honey. Dried fruits offer fiber, antioxidants and a lot more. So next time try using dates to sweeten your dessert! Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Protein Powder— When making a smoothie I always like to add some type of protein powder. It offers the key source of protein to make my smoothie a complete meal. Protein powders can be intimidating because there are so many on the market. It’s very hard to choose! I suggest looking at the ingredients and, in particular, what sweeteners are in them. I buy powders that are naturally sweetened and don’t have too many ingredients. Sweet Potato Pie Protein Smoothie
- Old Fashion Oats— Oats are so versatile. They can be eaten in the morning as traditional hot cereal or they can be ground and used as a flour alternative in a recipe. Be sure to buy “old fashioned” oats because “quick cooking” oats are processed. Generally, it is always good to get foods in their whole form. A good rule of thumb is: The longer it takes to cook, the better it is for you. Banana Bread Muffin Toppers
- Grains—quinoa, brown rice, barley…—- Grains are key when it comes to putting together a last minute meal. I generally recommend cooking a big pot of quinoa or rice in the beginning of the week. Then you then can enjoy it all week long on top of salads or even as a warm breakfast cereal. Apple Sweet Potato Quinoa Casserole
- Braggs Amino Acid— This is one of my favorite condiments and I always recommend it to my clients and readers. It is a soy sauce alternative with a lot less sodium. Great for stir frys, salad dressings, even sushi. Whenever I order sushi I use this instead of soy sauce. which can leave you feeling bloated and thirsty. Miso Glazed Eggplant Fries
- Bean Pasta— This pasta is a hidden gem most people don’t know about it. Luckily, you can now find this in most grocery stores in the gluten free or health food aisle. Bean pastas are packed with over 20 grams of protein. All you need to do is cook it like you do traditional pasta and add your favorite sauce for a pasta dinner that is light and satisfying. High Protein Cream of Spinach Pasta
- Organic Tomato Sauce— Anytime you buy canned products, they should always be organic. Tomato sauce is tricky because it is often filled with sugar. And since I use sauce in my house all the time for pizzas and pastas, having the organic version in my pantry always comes in handy! Quinoa Pizza Crust
I just stumbled across your website! I’m a marathoner and would love any more information you have on nutrition! I love your recipes (and just saw a few briefly)! I’m trying to hone in on my nutrition as I’m training to make that next big step in my training – Olympic Qualifying time. Thank you! I look forward to trying these!