5 Healthy Ingredients to Keep in Your Pantry

If you have a family, you know that it can be difficult to keep everyone full of healthy and nourishing foods throughout the week. In order to efficiently plan for meals and snacks, there are some basic items that you should keep on hand in all situations. These things will let you turn any meal into a healthy meal, no matter how hectic or busy your day gets. Read more to learn five healthy ingredients that can help you make wholesome meals without too much effort.

1. Beans

Beans are very versatile, and can be used for meal planning in many different ways. You can keep them whole to use as a side dish, or you can mash them up and use them to fill tacos or enchiladas. You can even use them as the base of your meal. Some of the most nutrient-dense beans include black beans, red beans, and garbanzo beans. There are many red beans and rice recipes that will excite everyone in the family.

2. Eggs

Eggs are a fantastic source of protein. They can be hard-boiled or scrambled to make quick meals like toast or an omelet. You can also use them as a part of your meal planning schedule by baking cakes filled with things like berries, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and flour to make a healthy dessert that’s still high in protein.

3. Potatoes

Potatoes have been back on the menu as a healthy meal component now that they have been shown to not contribute towards hypertension or increased blood pressure levels. When it comes to meal planning, potatoes pair well with so many different ingredients. You can make them into a meal by mashing them and adding toppings, or they can be roasted or added to soups. They are often used as the side dish for virtually any meal thanks to their neutral flavor profile .

4. Brown Rice

Brown rice is an excellent alternative to white rice because it is higher in fiber and nutrients like magnesium and vitamins B-6 and E. Brown rice has a low glycemic index number, which means that it has little impact on serum glucose levels. When you’re meal planning with brown rice as your base, you can create many healthy meals that can be eaten throughout the week to prevent overindulgence or boredom. Try to plan out meals with different ingredients mixed into a bowl with brown rice.

5. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is an excellent meal base because it is so versatile. You can cook oatmeal with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice to create a sweet meal that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert. It can also be prepared in savory dishes both hot and cold to give you options throughout the day. Oatmeal provides a filling and delicious meal.

Summary

By meal planning and keeping healthy foods in your pantry, you’ll be able to easily whip up helpful and delicious meals. These ingredients will make the meal planning process simple and easy to follow.