I love to cook and am addicted to cooking shows. Many cooking shows emhasize the well-stocked pantry, but only a few emphasize the healthy pantry, a pantry stocked with low-salt, low-fat foods. Though the contents of my pantry varies with the season, I always have healthy foods on hand. I keep these foods in mind when planning meals. The foods are grouped in categories and I have labeled the shelves. What is in my pantry?

VEGETABLES

Canned diced tomatoes (no salt)
Canned tomato sauce (no salt)
Canned corn (no salt)
Canned artichokes, packed in water
Roasted red peppers
Water chestnuts (sliced)
Green chilies (chopped)
Dehydrated onions

FRUITS

Canned peaches (lite or sweetened with Splenda)
Canned pears (lite or sweetened with Splenda)
Mandarin oranges
Unsweetened apple sauce
Dried apples
Dried cranberries
Dried cherries

GRAINS

Basmati rice
Brown rice
Wild rice
Wheat pasta (spaghetti, angel hair, spirals)
Oatmeal (regular and steel-cut)
Corn meal
Shredded wheat
Wheat flakes

NUTS AND SEEDS

Walnuts (whole and pieces)
Almonds (sliced and slivered)
Unsalted peanuts
Reduced fat peanut butter
Sesame seeds
Celery seeds
Caraway seeds

STAPLES

Wheat and white flour (combined)
Gravy flour
Sugar (2 pounds or less)
Honey
Splenda
Splenda Blend for Baking
Calorie-free brown sugar
Cocoa powder
Baking powder
Baking soda
Cornstarch
Sodium-free bullion cubes (chicken and beef)
Dried buttermilk
Sugar-free strawberry, apricot and orange jam

FISH

Canned tuna (packed in water)
Canned crab (packed in water)
Canned salmon

VINEGARS AND OILS

Rice wine vinegar
Cider vinegar
Red wine vinegar
Balsamic vinegar (small bottle)
Extra light olive oil
Canola oil
Cooking spray (olive oil or corn oil)

SEASONINGS

Low sodium salt
Pepper: coarse ground, lemon and seasoned
Italian seasonings: dried basil, thyme, oregano
Baking seasonings: ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Vanilla, almond, and orange extracts

ONCE IN A WHILE FOODS

Low-sodium celery soup
Low-sodium tomato soup
Marinara or spaghetti sauce (lowest salt I can find)
Sugar free mousse mix (chocolate and vanilla)
Angel food cake mix
Corn muffin mix
Yellow cake mix

Having a healthy pantry helps me to prepare healthy meals. To make meals even healthier I buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. I have told you what is in my pantry. What is in yours? If you haven't stocked your pantry with healthy foods I hope you will do it today. Eating healthy foods will help you to have a healthier life.

Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson