Spring Clean Your Pantry
When it comes to spring cleaning, don’t forget about your pantry! Dust out your pantry (or refrigerator and freezer!) and start fresh with a clean slate. The tips below will help you clean out and fill up your pantry with springtime staples, making the “What’s for dinner tonight?” dilemma that much less daunting.
Take stock. Figure out what is in your fridge and pantry to better assess what you already have. Take a good look in your fridge and freezer, pantry, or cabinets and ask yourself if what you have still fits your needs and diet. The odds are that your dietary needs have changed over time, and your everyday household food supply should reflect that.
Declutter and reorganize. Clear out the clutter! Take everything out and visually take stock of what you currently have. That spice jar from two years ago? Discard it! Too many boxes of non-perishable items? Donate it to your local food pantry! Organize for visibility and free up space to create a clean slate for restocking options that fit your health goals. Reorganize by putting the most used items, upcoming expiration dates, and healthier options up front.
Read labels. While you are decluttering, make sure to also pay attention to the ingredient labels. Anything high in added sugars, too much sodium, unhealthy fats, or excessive preservatives shouldn’t be a daily staple in your pantry or fridge. Set yourself up for success by being mindful of filling your shelves with nourishing options.
Stock up on superfoods. Consider stocking up on superfoods that can add flavor, texture, and nutritional value to just about any meal. Chia seeds or flax seeds are great to add as yogurt toppings and unsalted nuts or trail mix with dried fruits makes a fulfilling snack. Having these readily available and on hand makes mindful eating that much easier.
Categorize. Applying the same method to your pantry just like you may have a produce drawer in your fridge. Categorize and keep similar food groups near each other, such as legumes, canned veggies, grains, snacks, spices and condiments. This helps you keep better track of inventory and provides easier options when meal planning or reaching for ingredients.
Homemade options. Don’t forget the value of homemade go-to options. Store-bought items are often full of added ingredients and preservatives that don’t bring much value to your diet. Next time you are at the grocery store, skip the bottled salad dressings, granola or jarred applesauce and try to make your own! You’ll be thankful to have greater control over the ingredients.
March right into healthy eating this spring with confidence. Cleaning out your pantry or fridge can set you up for success, efficiency, and overall healthier habits. Having a purposeful pantry can open doors to healthier eating choices and fill your cup (and plate!) with more possibilities.
