8 Must-Have Healthy Pantry Staples

It is always a good idea to have a well-stocked pantry full of versatile, healthy foods. These staples will help you plan easy meals throughout the week, and you won’t have to worry about foods going bad. Next time you are at the store, stock up on these healthy pantry staples.

1 Chickpea Pasta

This gluten-free pasta alternative can be used in all of your favorite pasta recipes! Without gluten, this pasta can save your family from any potential digestion problems, and the chickpeas provide twice the amount of protein found in regular pasta, according to Banza’s website, a chickpea pasta brand. Chickpea pasta will last in your pantry for two years after the printed production date.

2 Nutritional Yeast

If you’ve never heard of nutritional yeast, you are missing out. This ingredient is used in a lot of vegan dishes to add extra nutrients, aka protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, according to Healthline, an online health resource. This ingredient has a mild, savory flavor and can be added to any dish to boost the nutritional payoff! Add it in your spaghetti sauce, stir it into soups, sprinkle it over roasted nuts or blend it into salad dressings. Nutritional yeast will stay good in your pantry for two years after opening.

3 Canned Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is another versatile ingredient that can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. This creamy milk alternative can be added to soups and sauces, or it can be blended with frozen bananas to make “nice” cream. It is a staple in many cuisines and can be used in a pinch when you run out of milk in the fridge. Canned coconut milk can last in your pantry for about three years, and an opened can will last in the refrigerator for about a week.

4 La Croix Sparkling Water

One of the most popular brands of sparkling water, La Croix is a great soda alternative to keep stocked in your pantry. According to the La Croix website, it has zero sugars, calories, sodium and artificial ingredients and it’s naturally essenced with different flavors. It is also gluten-free and kosher. This canned beverage is perfect for the nights when you want something other than plain water but you don’t want the sugar from soda. La Croix can last a little over a year when stored in your pantry.

5 Dried Mango

Perfect for on-the-go snacking, dried mango is healthy, sweet and typically doesn’t contain any added sugar (just check the labels). All dried fruits are great for baking or making homemade trail mix. Dried mango is especially delicious because of its sweet and sour flavor. It will last up to a year in your pantry unopened.

6 Pure Maple Syrup

If you are going to eat sugar, go for naturally derived options like pure maple syrup. Add it on your favorite breakfast foods, in your coffee or in baked goods. Pure maple syrup will last indefinitely in your pantry if it is unopened.

7 Onions

Onions are packed with flavor, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Having onions on hand will always be a good idea, as you can add them into almost any savory recipe to make it better (ie. meatloaf, soups, spaghetti, curries, casseroles, roasts and so on). Onions will last up to three months in a cool, dark place in your pantry, and cut onions should be refrigerated.

8 Chicken or Beef Bone Broth

Canned or boxed bone broth is a very versatile ingredient to have stocked in your pantry. Similar to stock, bone broth is made by boiling down bones to extract the flavor and nutrients from the bones and connective tissue. Some nutrients that you can enjoy from bone broth include collagen, minerals and amino acids. If you or a little one are sick, sipping on bone broth can settle your stomach and help replenish nutrients. You can also use it as a base for soups and stews to add flavor. The shelf life of bone broth will depend on the manufacturer, but on average, it will last for one to two years in your pantry.