It’s always a good idea to keep your pantry stocked to the brim, but it’s also beneficial to think twice about the nutritional value of the foods you’re swiftly stowing away. It’s no secret that we all need pantry essentials to making cooking easy. However, some of those simple pantry ingredients actually lead to unwanted weight gain.
Luckily for you, we’ve gathered the top pantry food items you should stray away from to maintain a healthy diet. From instant breakfast meals to fattening condiments, we’ve got the low-down on the top pantry ingredients you should avoid ASAP.
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One making pantry item you should skip the next time you’re at the grocery store is sugary cereal. Although cereals provide breakfast in a pinch, many are loaded with an excess amount of sugar. According to Healthline, many cereals have sugar listed as the second or third main ingredient and these sugary cereals can often lead to overeating. Try opting for simple healthy breakfasts like oatmeal and granola bowls instead.
Another pantry essential is soup. Soups always make for an ideal comforting meal on cold or rainy days. However, certain soups can actually add on pounds right before your eyes. Creamy soups like tomato soup and broccoli cheddar soup secretly contain many more calories than you’d think they would. In an interview with Women’s Health, Registered Dietitian Elana Natker said that tomato soup is loaded with high-calorie, high-fat cream and butter. It’s best to stick to classic homemade chicken noodle soup and call it a day.
Now, let’s talk about condiments. Speaking of tomato-based foods we certainly can’t forget about your go-to condiment: ketchup. Although ketchup is arguably America’s favorite condiment, it certainly does more harm than good when it comes to your waistline. According to Healthline, low-calorie condiments like ketchup and salad dressings can be a hidden source of added sugars that can lead to unwanted weight gain. Consider adding healthy tomato-based sauces and dips to your meals instead, like homemade salsa for instance.
It’s a little too easy to reach into your pantry and come out with a bag of chips, right? We know it’s hard not to give into the salty temptation, but it’s ultimately better for you if you say no to these processed snacks. According to Verywell Fit, a single serving of regular potato chips provides 160 calories, 10 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbohydrate, and 2 grams of protein. Well, it looks like we’ll definitely be passing on the potato chips next time!
What are some healthy essentials you like to stock up in your pantry? Let us know your favorites in the comments below!
