What’s In Your Grocery Bag?

The food you choose to eat each day impacts your optimal health and longevity. So what’s in your grocery bag these days?

With our fast paced lifestyle and eating on the run getting sick is at an all time high. So how do you reduce your risk for disease and increase optimal health?  Let’s start with these healthy pantry staples and start moving you in the direction of healthy eating habits.

Pantry Staples for Optimal health

Beans – are a good source of protein and fiber. Black beans are top on my list for salads, soups and other dishes. No time to cook dried beans then select canned beans without salt and rinse before using. 

Broth – is good to have around for soups and dishes. I prefer Swanson Unsalted boxed over the bouillon cubes mostly for taste and lower sodium. I don’t eat beef so I buy the vegetable and chicken broth/cooking stock. Here’s my Pinterest recipe for Fall Vegetable Curry from My Season…Autumn board.

Cereal – keeps you full longer! It’s such a challenge to find healthy whole grain cereal so oatmeal is my pick. I add whole ground flaxseed and frozen blueberries.

Eggs – are a cheap source of protein. If you are watching your cholesterol just use the egg white. Slice up a hard-boiled egg in your salad, scramble eggs for breakfast or cook a fried egg in olive oil for a quick sandwich.

Lentils – can be used in a variety of dishes. This legume is high in protein, potassium, fiber and low in fat, sodium and sugar.

Nuts – are healthy and an excellent source of protein, fiber and potassium. Add nuts to salads, stir-fry’s or eat as a daily snack. I’m hooked on pumpkin seeds and unsalted almonds! Eat them in moderation as they are high in fat.

Olive Oil – is high in healthy monounsaturated fat and can be used for everything you cook. Select Extra-Virgin Olive Oil that is cold-pressed in a dark bottle. One of my favorite vegetables is sweet potato cut in fourths lightly coat with olive oil and some cinnamon wrap in foil and bake at 425 degrees for 45 minutes.

Pasta – makes for a quick and fairly healthy meal. I prefer to keep my carbs down so usually cook pasta once a month. I select Hy-Vee’s Omega 3 Multigrain pasta because of the nutritional ingredients and label facts over whole wheat. Yes I’m a label reader!

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Questions/Comments

What healthy pantry staples did I forget? Please comment and share!

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Cheers to a Healthy Day!