Think eating healthily requires an endless supply of fresh fruit and veg? Think again!
While fresh fruit and veg should of course make up the bulk of a healthy diet, there are plenty of pantry items we can stock up on to turn to when we’re in a bind. Here are our favourite healthy pantry essentials, with some ideas on how to eat them.
Your favourite nut butter
Packed with protein and healthy fats, various nuts and their butters make the perfect healthy snack. Eat it smeared on your favourite veg, bread or cracker or just straight from the spoon when you crave a little pick me up.
Frozen peas
Frozen veggies are a great nutrient-dense option for when you’re running low on the fresh stuff. In fact, when it comes to nutrition, they’re pretty comparable to their fresh cousins.
We love adding frozen peas to soups, stews, curries or as a quick and easy veggie side next to some lean protein.
Lakanto Low Carb Protein Pancake Mix
Lakanto Low Carb Protein Pancake Mix makes it easy to bake responsibly sweet pancakes any time. It comes packed with protein, gluten-free and with no artificial colours or flavours.
Top with fresh (or frozen!) fruit and yoghurt for a healthy breakfast that’s fun for the whole family.
Canned lentils
A non-perishable must have, lentils are perfect used as the base of a salad, or in a quick and easy lentil curry or stew.
Sauerkraut
Fermented goodies like sauerkraut or kimchi are a fantastic fridge staple that will keep good for up to 18 months. They also come packed with probiotics (the good bacteria guys that live in your gut), which are showing super promising health benefits in research.
Use yours to top off salads, sandwiches, grain bowls and stews.
Olive oil
Ahh olive oil, is there anything it can’t do? Packed with healthy fats, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, use a good quality EVOO as a base for most cooked dishes or drizzle over salads, sangas and snacks.
Chia seeds
A nutrient-dense, protein, fibre and antioxidant packed seed, these can be stored in the pantry for years. We love them rehydrated and chucked in smoothies or eaten solo as a healthy snack or breakfast option, like in these Chia Chai Puddings.
98% Sugar-Free Chocolate Cake Mix
This one definitely falls into the healthy-ER pantry essential category, but life can be pretty boring and restrictive without some responsible indulgence from time to time.
Lakanto’s Sugar Free Chocolate Cake Mix whips up the perfect traditional soft, rich, dark chocolate treat with ease. Consider it your better-for-you go-to for celebrating a milestone, that’s every bit as decedent and delicious as a sugar-packed store-bought alternative.