In the good old days- - - days of cream fillings, cheese in
a can and licked fingers - - our pantry was the perfect hiding place for
snacks, fired corn chip, and other health defying foods. But if you want
to stay fit and youthful, you need to ensure that your pantry is a healthy
partner with your fridge. So clean out your cupboards and maintain a
pantry filled with low-fat satisfying and nutritious foods.


All purpose flour
Apple cinder vinegar
Baking powder and soad
Bread crumbs
Brown sugar
Canola Oil
Cocoa instead of chocolate chips
Cornmeal and corn starch
Extra-virgin olive oil
Fat-free evaporated milk
Green, black or herbal tea instead of hot chocolate
Herbs such as oregano, basil, thyme, parsley and rosemary
High fiber cereals such as branflakes, shreddedwheat, oatmeal and grapenuts
Low-calorie maple syrup
Raisins and other dried fruits
Red wine vinegar
Spices such as chilipowder, cinnamon, cumin, garlicpowder, ginger, nutmeg or cloves
Wheat germ or flaxseed
White sugar
Whole grain pancake and waffle mixes
Whole grains such as barle, bulgar and quinoa
Whole wheat flour
Whole wheat pita bread


Instead of foods like nacho cheese, cans of oil-soaked tuna and fruits in heavy
syrup, always thin of healthier alternatives

Bamboo shoots
Beans such as pinto, kidney, navy, black and chickpeas
Canned fruit such as pineapple, apricots and peaches in juice
Vegetables such as corn, green beans, asparagus spears, beets, lima beans,
peas, blackeyed peas, carrots, mushrooms, greens, potatoes and tomatoes.
Fat-free refried beans
Low-fat spagettti
Low sodium chicken broth
Natural peanut butter (better kept in fridge)
Reduced sodium and low-fat soups, vegetable, minestrone and lentil
Roasted red peppers
Tuna packed in water
Water chestnuts


Baked tortilla chips
Low-fat granola bars
Popcorn
Pretzels
Sunflower seeds
Walnuts and almonds
Whole wheat crackers
Whole wheat tortillas