Pantry Staples To Keep You Healthy

Written By Mikkie Mills / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Eating healthy can be difficult, especially for those with busy lifestyles. Not everyone has time to make ultra-healthy meals or buy fresh, organic produce every few days. Thankfully, eating healthy doesn't have to be as time-consuming as it may seem.

To make things easier, try buying frozen fruit and veggies to avoid bi-weekly trips to the grocery store or meal planning every Sunday to have meals on-hand for the week. If your goal is convenience, keep some healthy pantry staples stocked for quick ways to make your meals healthier.

Supplements to keep you healthy
Health supplements are all the rage, and for good reason. Health supplements such as powders and capsules are convenient and quick while also supplying you with all the nutrients you need to fuel your body.

Whether you're looking for a specific nutrient you're lacking or just looking to improve your overall health, you're guaranteed to find a health supplement that will work for you.

Try a healthy greens powder to improve your immune system, aid in digestion and provide you with vital antioxidants. If you're looking for an overall health supplement, consider collagen powder. Collagen powder can improve skin elasticity, prevent bone loss and may help joints, too. It also has anti-aging properties.

Over-the-counter vitamins are great for any specific vitamins you may be lacking or health issues you're experiencing. You can buy vitamins for specific nutrients or opt for a daily multi-vitamin. Always check with your doctor before starting any new health supplement.

Seeds to keep you healthy
Seeds are a great way to make basic foods a little more healthy. By sprinkling some hemp hearts or chia seeds on your daily smoothie or oatmeal, you can get tons of benefits without any change in quality or flavor of your foods. Common "super seeds" include chia seeds, flaxseed and hemp hearts.

Chia seeds can be added to almost anything, including on top of or blended into smoothies, used as a topping for oatmeal or made into chia pudding. Chia seeds are tiny but full of nutrients, such as omega-3s, protein, fiber and antioxidants. Some studies link chia seeds to weight loss, bone health and reducing chronic inflammation.

Flaxseed is linked to cancer prevention due to a plant compound it contains called lignan. Flaxseed can also improve cholesterol and lower blood pressure.

These benefits are thanks to all the vitamins and minerals found in flaxseed, as well as the fact it's rich in omega-3s, fiber and protein.

Hemp hearts, or hemp seeds, contain the same nutrients as chia and flaxseed: protein, fiber and omega-3s. However, hemp hearts are more commonly found in savory foods such as salads and pastas for an added crunch. Hemp hearts are shown to improve heart health, reduce inflammation and fight PMS or menopause symptoms.

Nuts to keep you healthy
Nuts are a versatile pantry staple. They're a great source of fat, fiber and protein.

Nuts also contain essential vitamins and nutrients, such as magnesium and vitamin E. Many studies have linked nut intake to weight loss, and they may also help control blood sugars and cholesterol.

Although nuts are relatively high in calories, studies show that nuts may be lower in calories than previously thought. The type of nut you'll want to go for depends on what your health goals are.

If you want to improve heart health, go for pistachios or walnuts, but if you're looking for help controlling blood pressure, choose cashews. No matter what nut you choose, all are great options to give you antioxidants and essential vitamins.

It's important to note that when buying nuts, go for the minimally-processed or raw nuts instead of flavored or roasted nuts. While they still contain health benefits, nuts are roasted in oils and some experts suggest roasting nuts may make them lose nutrients. Flavored nuts often add unnecessary sugars or artificial flavors.

Whether you've been living a healthy lifestyle for years or are just starting out, making sure you have certain pantry staples can increase convenience and make choosing healthy options easier.

Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare.

make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list.

Written By:
Mikkie Mills is a freelance writer from Chicago. She is also a mother of two who loves sharing her ideas on interior design, budgeting hacks and DIY. When she's not writing, she's chasing the little ones around, walking her dog, or can be found rock climbing at the local climbing gym.

Reviewed By:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word," at www.rayspotts.com.

Image by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay