Fast food from your pantry

Eating out—particularly fast food—is a major cause of weight gain. One study found that people who consumed fast food more than twice a week gained 4.5 kilograms more over a 15-year period than those who ate fast food less than once a week. What’s more, fast foods are often loaded with way too much sodium and fat—especially the super unhealthy trans fats.

To reduce the incentive to eat out, keep the pantry stocked with these ‘convenience’ foods:
• Canned beans
• Canned fish (no sauce)
• Canned soups (toss in a can of beans for a hearty, healthy main dish in minutes)
• Canned tomato products—pureed, chopped or whole
• Canned vegetables (no sauce—except for vegies canned in tomato sauce)
• Dried lentils
• Packaged healthy whole grains, such as tabouleh, quinoa and instant barley
• Soba buckwheat noodles
• Wholemeal pasta

More tips for stocking your pantry with healthy, easy-to-prepare foods

Seven healthy meals you can make in less than 20 minutes