i find the same mistakes problems and trouble spots in pantries from celebrities to stay-at-home moms. we all need a little refresher on why certain ingredients and products are counterproductive to our health goals. what lurks in our pantry can range from high-calorie high-sodium foods to chemically laden-food substitutes that have no right being there. and as we all know if it is there we will eat it. so the first step is always to get rid of those tempting empty harmful and tasteless things we’ve collected and simply. toss them. do it at your pace. ready for a complete overhaul? great — otherwise start slow. let’s identify the biggest problems — the worst ingredients — and move from there. toss: foods with artificial sweeteners hydrogenated oils bleached flours dyes and high fructose corn syrup; also toss any peanut butters filled with sugar corn syrup and hydrogenated oils; while you are at it toss potatoes-in-a-box and instant rices. bring in: extra virgin olive oil canned beans whole grains kosher salt tamari balsamic vinegar pure maple syrup natural peanut and almond butters and dry spices (granulated garlic cinnamon cumin curry powder peppercorns). a moment more on spices. if you have had the same dry spices lurking in your cabinet since you were a kid it is time to throw these out. otherwise you might as well be putting dust on your food. dry spices do have a shelf life — do a taste-test on your new spices vs. your old spices and you will see what i mean.
what are the best foods to stock in my pantry?