Great Foods to Have in the Pantry

Great Foods to Have in the Pantry

There a number of great foods with lots of nutritional value that should be in your pantry if not already there.

- Olive and canola oil are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fats.

- Wheat germ. Three tablespoons of wheat germ sprinkled on cereal or yogurt provide your daily requirement of vitamin E.

- Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids that may help prevent blood clots and hardening of the arteries. Pick a bar with at least 70 percent cacao. Due to calories in chocolate, limit yourself to one ounce per day.

- Whole wheat pasta, bread and cereal. A higher intake of whole grains has been linked to lower rates of coronary heart disease. Whole grains are also a good source of fiber.

- Canned or pouches of salmon and light water-packed tuna. These products are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.

- Oatmeal has a higher proportion of soluble fiber than any other grain. This kind of fiber lowers cholesterol levels by binding to cholesterol in your intestine and prevents it from entering the blood stream.

- Nuts including almonds, walnuts, peanuts and pistachios have heart-health benefits.

- Flaxseed is high in cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber and a type of omega-3 fatty acid that can protect the heart. Buy ground flaxseed or grind whole flaxseed then sprinkle one tablespoon a day onto cereal or add to muffin batter.