10 essentials for a healthy pantry

Don’t be sour if you have to cut down on mayonnaise or other dairy products! You can always rely on greek yoghurt and make sure you stock a few cups of it in your pantry. To your benefit, you also get flavoured healthy yoghurt cups. You can also use it to jazz up your salads, smoothies or protein shakes. Make sure you use a low-fat one and that you never run out of them.

Olives are the best things to stock in your healthy pantry. They have a long shelf life, and they are great for your heart since they are rich in monounsaturated fats. They add a great dash of flavour in pastas and salads. Make sure you don’t consume more than ten olives a day, though.

If you are switching to olive oil, go for the extra virgin olive oil that has all the required fats and is a healthier option. One tablespoon of olive oil has up to 120 calories and goes best with salads or sauteed vegetables. You will barely find any healthy food recipe without olive oil in it. If you are someone who calculates calories in your meals, try to ensure that you don’t use more than one tablespoon of olive oil in your food.

Your healthy pantry is incomplete without some honey in it. Not only is it the best remedy for cough or other ailments but also a natural sweetener and a great for your skin. You can use it to make your own homemade face packs or add it in your salad dressings and marinades. Since it is a natural sweetener and way better than processed sugar, you must add it to your list. You can also add it to a cup of green tea if you are just starting out and not very fond of tea that’s not sweet.

Everyone knows that dark chocolates are way healthier and better than the actual ones. Before you make a face for thinking about consuming bitter chocolates, know this that dark chocolates actually aid weight loss. Now that we have your attention, it also promotes a healthy heart and helps curb those sugar cravings. Dark chocolates contain polyphenol that helps fight diseases and strengthen your immune system. Of course, don’t finish all of it at once. Take your time and have some every day.

Eggs are one of the best ways to fulfil your protein requirements, and there are so many recipes out there that you can try with eggs. You can either just have boiled eggs, or you can cook up a salad with healthy veggies in it. You can make an omelette or scrambled eggs, too. One egg gives you approximately 6g protein and has 70 calories. If you have a pretty hectic schedule, you can just pack hard-boiled eggs and carry them with you. They are the easiest snacks to make and carry.

Quinoa is one of the best replacements to rice and other carbs. One cup has about 8g of protein and 5g of fibre with 222 calories. You can add quinoa to salads or make Khichdi out of them if you miss rice. You can also cook yourself some quinoa kheer but make sure you use healthier substitutes for sugar and other items.

If you are someone who feels hungry pretty quickly after a meal, oatmeal is the perfect option for you to have in your pantry. It helps control your appetite and lowers your cholesterol, too. You can have oats for breakfast or even add them to your healthy smoothies.

If you are a vegetarian, finding sources of sufficient proteins and fibres can be a tad difficult. Make sure you stock your pantry with beans. You can make a meal out of it or add it to your salads.

Apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar are popularly used in salads and a must-have in your healthy pantry. Sprinkle a little bit in your salads, and you’re good to go. One teaspoon has approximately five calories, and it makes your food healthier. You can also use apple cider vinegar for beauty and hair packs that you might want to make at home. Of course, it helps in building your immunity, but it also makes your skin glow and is great for your hair.

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