Are you getting ready to head out on your next grocery shopping excursion? Sometimes it is easier to stock your pantry with food supplies that you know you will most likely use so that you don’t find yourself jumping in the car and heading back to the store every third day. The following is a useful guide to stocking your low calorie cooking pantry (and fridge and freezer) with healthful and useful ingredients.
Produce items are extremely versatile, and extremely useful in low calorie cooking since they are, most often, low in calories. Purchase all varieties of produce items in the fresh, frozen, or canned form (which can easily be stored in the pantry for quite a while). Avoid any items packaged with extra sauces or fruits canned in syrup. Also, keep in mind that avocados and olives are two items high in fat and calories which should be used in moderation.
Traditionally, in many cuisines, the protein portion is the food item around which the remainder of the meal is centered. A more healthful approach to eating suggests that this not be the case, but rather that whole grains, fruits, and vegetables take the main stage. Still, moderate use of fresh and frozen poultry, fish, and meat is still acceptable. Dried and canned beans and legumes are an excellent addition to your pantry as they are loaded with protein, add bulk to a dish, and remain low in calories.
Dairy products can pose a major problem for the would-be low calorie cook with calorie-laden rich cheeses, heavy cream, and cream cheeses. However, dairy plays an intricate part in many recipes, for instance cream-soups and cheesecake. With several non-fat and low-fat varieties on the market today, milk, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and cheese in general can be occupants of your shopping cart so long as they are of a low-fat or non-fat variety.
Healthy eating should center around an abundance of whole grains and produce. So, stock your pantry with those high fiber, whole grains! As you explore new recipes, you may decide to broaded your view of what a whole grain consists of. For example, in addition to flour, oats, and rice which we are likely familiar with, you may find that you enjoy keeping your pantry full of other grains such as quinoa, bulgar, and couscous as well.
No, fats and oils are not low-calorie food items themselves. However, most recipes do require some fat to provide texture, flavor, and properties such as keeping food from sticking to your bakeware. As is the case with all higher-calorie ingredients, some use of fats and oils is necessary and allowed in moderation. Stock your pantry with the healthy varieties of fats and oils such as canola oil and olive oil.
In many non-low-calorie recipes, a good deal of the flavor comes from fat. Let’s accept the fact: fat tastes good. However, fat is the most calorie-dense nutrient, and so is not an ingredient that can be used in abundance in low-calorie cooking. There are many other methods of adding flavor to your cooking through low calorie ingredients such as spices, mustards, and flavored vinegars. The great news is that many of these condiments (aside from creamy or oily dressings and spreads) and very low in calories! Make sure your pantry is full of these flavorings!
