It’s a rainy Wednesday. You’re rushing home late from work because traffic was tied up again. You’ll have 30 minutes to spare before pulling out of the driveway to get your 5-year-old to swimming lessons.

And all eyes will be on you as you walk in the front door because there’s NO plan for dinner. Let alone a healthy, well-balanced, kid-friendly meal of something other than cheese strings and pre-cut celery sticks.

Unless you’ve got a well-stocked pantry. In which case you’re:

•      More likely to cook meals at home because you don’t have to stop at the grocery store every couple of days.
•      Saving money, because you won’t resort to take-out as often.
•      Able to pull together easy recipes for weekday meals without breaking a sweat.

Here are our Top 5 Tips for keeping a range of quick and healthy meal options on hand.

Start with healthy fats.

Whether you want to sauteé, bake, roast veggies or make salad dressing, keeping a couple of different healthy oils on hand is a must. Olive oil is a pantry staple, while coconut, avocado, and flax oil all make for delicious alternatives.

Make friends with whole grains.

Stock your pantry with whole grain pasta and brown rice as the base for simple, high-fibre dinner options. Instant rolled oats are great for breakfast or a pre-workout snack.

High-five some heart-healthy protein.

Canned fish is a no-brainer if you want to create a high protein, low-fat meal in minutes. Add Gold Seal’s wild-caught Sockeye Salmon and Mackerel to salads, pasta, or stir-fry to load up on omega-3s. They’re MSC certified, ensuring you’re getting sustainable, responsibly harvested health benefits.

Fill up on fruits and veggies.

While fresh is often best, canned produce is still full of nutrients. No sugar added applesauce is the perfect on-the-go snack. Veggies like corn, carrots, green beans, and peas make quick side dishes for dinner or can be tossed in soups, casseroles, pasta, and other meals.

Go nuts for nuts.

Nuts pack a powerful nutritional punch and are the perfect addition to hot cereals, yogurt, or in homemade trail mix for an easy snack. Toss them on sauteéd greens or on your favourite salad to add vitamins and crunch.

Sources:

https://rootandrevel.com/stock-healthy-pantry-checklist/
http://makingthymeforhealth.com/stock-healthy-pantry/
http://www.eatingwell.com/article/37009/how-to-stock-your-pantry/
http://cookingmatters.org/tips/10-tips-stock-your-pantry
https://www.culinarynutrition.com/stocking-a-culinary-nutrition-pantry/