When stocking a healthier pantry, look for whole grains, whole wheat pastas and a wide variety of canned beans with no-added salt. A wide array of no-salt added spices is always an easy way to provide flavor to dishes prepared last minute and with limited time. These also complement any availability of fresh herbs you may have available, you should treat them both as complements rather than substitutes in many recipes!

Check out this shopping list, items that you can get 2 or 3 times a month and have as staples to cook with, mixed with fresh produce and other perishable items. Clean your pantry from any junk foods (or any old out of date items). Say yes to the whole, and out with the processed and old!

1 lb each Mixed Dried Beans (Pinto, Cannelini, Black, Lentils)

4 15oz cans of no-salt added beans (kidney, pinto, black and garbanzo)

4 lbs whole grains (1 lb. each of quinoa, brown rice, wheat berries, hulled barley)

2lbs whole grain pasta of your choice

2 lbs rolled or steel-cut oats

1 6oz can of tomato paste

2 14.5 oz cans of no-salt added diced tomatoes

1 32oz box unsweetened soymilk

1 16oz jar of tahini (sesame paste)

1 18oz jar nut butter of your choice

1 8 oz bag each of raw almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds

8 oz bag each un-sulfured dried apricots, dates and raisins

1 8oz bottle Dijon mustard

1 32oz bottle organic vinegar

1/2 lb nutritional yeast