When you diet, the first thing you should do is get rid of processed foods from your refrigerator and pantry. A pantry stocked with nutritious food is an essential element in a healthy diet. If you keep healthy prepackaged food, you'll have some quick meal items to make dieting easier.
Dried Beans
Dried beans are inexpensive, easy to store, delicious and they are packed with nutrients. In addition to being a high fiber food, they contain a high quality protein, folic acid, iron and magnesium.
Pasta
According to the Mediterranean Diet website, dry pasta made of durum wheat is a healthy food. It is a high fiber food that digests slowly and provides the energy you need for a healthy lifestyle.
Grains and Cereals
Pack your pantry with a variety of whole grains such as brown rice, bulgur, polenta, oats, barley, couscous and wheat germ. These grains absorb the flavors of the seasonings to add flavor to any meal.
A well stocked pantry will contain a variety of healthy cereals, including oatmeal, natural wheat cereal and other whole-grain cereals. These items can be used as a quick breakfast or in baking recipes.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit provides fiber and nutrients that are essential to staying healthy. Although the sugar content can be high, they offer enough nutritional value to keep them on hand since their shelf life is much longer than the fresh varieties. You can make your own trail mix by combining several types of dried fruit with nuts and whole grain cereal.
Nuts, Seeds and Butters
According to the Mayo Clinic website, nuts have a variety of health benefits, including lowering your cholesterol, keeping your heart healthy and providing protein. They store easily and make a quick, easy snack to grab on the run. Avoid nuts that have been pre-salted.
Peanut butter, almond butter and sunflower seed butter are ideal for snacks. They contain the nutritional value of the nuts or seeds. When spread on whole grain bread or crackers and eaten with fresh fruit or vegetables, they make a healthy meal. Look for natural, sugar and salt-free version of the butters.
Seasonings and Oils
A well stocked pantry contains a variety of seasonings so you don't have to sacrifice flavor when you diet. Look for the freshest version of the seasoning and avoid those with added salt. Use a variety of vinegars for flavor. Cook with heart-healthy olive oil, canola oil or peanut oil.
Canned Goods
Canned foods are convenient when you're in a hurry and need a quick meal in a pinch. The key to stocking the healthiest canned items is to look for sodium-free or low-sodium items. Read the labels and select canned soups, vegetables, fruits and meats without added preservatives and fat.
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