5 Pantry Staples for Eating Healthy
Life is a lot simpler when you don’t have to run to the grocery store for each meal you cook throughout the week. Whether you’re looking to begin meal prepping or just want to keep your pantry stocked with nutritious food, here are 5 superfood staples (and their benefits) that you should always have on hand in order to make eating healthy as simple as possible!
1. Flax Seeds
Flax seeds are an integral part of any diet because of their high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. Use them in smoothies, baked goods, granola, or mixed into yogurt. Ground flax seeds make a great powder which mixes well with water to create an egg-substitute, which may be particularly helpful for vegans!
2. Nut Butter
Nut butters are jam-packed with nutrients, and they provide us with high levels of fats, calories, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, they’re extremely versatile! Adding nut butters like almond or cashew butter to smoothies can help naturally sweeten the taste (and thicken the blend). You can also use nut butter in salad dressings, sauces, on wraps or in baked goods.
3. Coconut oil
The same way that many people use olive oil and butter in nearly everything they cook, coconut oil - the perfect substitute for these ingredients - works well in any recipe you could possibly create. It has a high smoke point, so whether you’re sautéing, baking, roasting, or lightly frying your food, coconut oil does the job. Here’s a great meal prep recipe that uses coconut oil to cook chicken breast for filling for fajitas or lettuce wraps to enjoy for the entire week. We also love using coconut oil in our smoothies, baked goods and even DIY beauty products!
4. Chia seeds
Chia seeds are one of the most popular superfoods, not only because they’re full of vitamins and minerals, but also because they go great in basically any recipe, so it’s smart to keep these in your pantry. Chia pudding is arguably the most common use of chia seeds in meal prep, especially because it makes the seeds easier to digest. Just pop the mixture into your fridge overnight, and in the morning you have a delicious, ready-to-eat breakfast on the go!
5. Protein Powder
Just in case you needed a little bit more protein (or more nutrients in your morning smoothie), superfoods offer us endless opportunities to enjoy vegan-friendly protein powders! Plant-based protein powders are easier to digest and low in calories. Plus, the varieties make it super easy to discover the powder that’s perfect for your specific needs. Lacking a good source of essential fatty acids? There’s hemp protein powder for that. Looking for a detox? Look no further than alfalfa sprout powder. It’s that simple.
