It is time to restock your pantry with healthy and nutritious food items. Even if you are not sure where to start, by considering certain foods you will be able to replace the unhealthy foods in your pantry with those that are better for you. For example, simply replace all pre-packaged food items. This type of food is not healthy and can easily be substituted with healthier choices that will taste better. Once you change the way you eat, you will feel healthier and will lose weight naturally as well.
Vegetables
Use frozen or fresh vegetables and fruits as opposed to canned. If it is necessary to use canned vegetables,use the low-sodium type packaged in its own juice. This helps with sodium and sugar content, which in turns helps maintain proper blood pressure and blood sugar. This includes all fruits and vegetables in your pantry. By using fresh or frozen, the fruits and vegetables will have a higher nutritional content than the canned variety since canned food has much of the nutritional value cooked out of it. This includes dark, leafy greens such as spinach or kale. Spinach is rich in magnesium, vitamin C, iron and antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of diabetes.
Fish
Keep at least two servings per person of fish to eat twice a week. Fish helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Salmon and tuna are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary for a healthy heart. Omega-3 helps prevent blood clots. Salmon and tuna are good choices for the grocery list.
Grains
Replace white bread with wheat, oat or rye bread as well as wheat pastas. By simply replacing these types of starchy bread with whole grains, you will be able to eat three servings a day. Replace the white flour with wheat flour and cereals with bran flakes or shredded wheat as well.
Additional Considerations
Other types of items to use include low-fat mayonnaise, yogurt, skim milk, reduced fat cheeses and unsalted butter or margarine. Purchase meat that is lean and chicken that is boneless and skinless. Eat only low-sodium soups or, if that is not to your taste, make your own soup with the low fat foods you now have in your pantry. This type of soup has much more flavor and is better for you than any canned soup.
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