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10 Easy Healthy Changes You Can Make To Your Pantry

by Linette Gerlach on June 14th, 2008

Jennifer at Tree Hugging Family wrote Ten Easy Eco Kitchen Changes You Can Make, and it it got me to thinking (scary I know). Her suggestions are great by the way, and you should go check them out if you haven’t already.

Jennifer’s changes made me think about other changes we can make when we decide we want to live a healthy lifestyle. Here are ten changes you can make to your pantry (and refrigerator) to help you stick to your healthy eating plans.

1. Always buy as natural as you can, try to pick products as close to nature as possible. Stay away from processed foods.

2. If it has ingredients in it you can’t read, don’t buy it, your body’s probably never heard of it either.

3. Replace sugar substitutes, and refined sugars with evaporated cane sugar, maple syrup, or honey.

4. Buy organic whenever your budget will allow.

5. Buy as close to the producer as possible. The recent salmonella tomato scare is one example of why it’s good to know the source of your food. Go check out your local farmers market, ask them if they grew their produce, if not where did it come from?

6. Read the label before you buy, this ties back to number 2. Read the label on everything you put in your pantry. Then you’ll know how much fat, and how many calories, versus vitamins and fiber you’re putting into your body.

7. Keep your pantry stocked with healthy foods. When my pantry and refrigerator are stocked with healthy choices I’m less likely to go to the grocery on a whim, or order out.

8. All oils are not created equally. Again check the label and avoid anything with hydrogenated oils, or saturated fats. Stock your pantry with polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated oils such as olive oil, or canola oil. Expeller pressed is best because the oil is produced without harsh chemicals.

9. Avoid foods that contain high fructose corn syrup. Again I say read the label on everything you buy. Corn syrup is a cheap sweetener, but it doesn’t do much for your body. Manufacturers put it in everything from chips, to salad dressing.

10. What’s your best tip for keeping your pantry healthy? I know I didn’t cover everything. I’d love to hear your ideas.

Image via stock.xchng

Technorati Tags: healthy pantry,items to keep in a healthy pantry,what to avoid if you’re eating healthy,healthy eating,stock the pantry,healthy food

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