After a year plus of staying home and staying safe, you’ve most likely stocked up on essentials, including perishable and non-perishable foods to cook at home more.

While you're generally subject to whatever is fresh at your local grocery store, pantry staples tend to be easier to grab and longer-lasting. So, what are the healthiest foods you can put in your pantry?

Proteins

You can make tons of different things with canned or dried beans, such as dips, soups, and stews. Canned beans tend to have more sodium, so try to find the ones with no sodium added, if they're available. You can also rinse them off, if you can’t find the no sodium added ones.

Nut butter can turn plain bread into a hearty treat, so stock up on your favorite nut butter. I like classic peanut butter, but experiment to find your favorite.

Quinoa is another excellent protein pantry staple that can be used in many recipes. It has the satisfaction of a carb, so it’s a nice choice for soup, as a side, and anything else you’d use rice for.

Carbs

Choose brown rice, quinoa, and whole-grain pasta for the bases of your meals.  In addition to using these carbs, all types of potatoes and hearty squashes can add a more filling component to any meal, and they have the benefit of lasting a while to give you more time to use them.

And of course, there are cans of vegetables that you can use for a swift side dish or with your favorite broth base to make soup. 

Canned tomatoes almost need their own category. From turning into a sauce for your pastas, adding a rich taste to soups, or even to make Shakshuka with the eggs you have on hand, they can be used to make plenty of meals. 

Basics

Make sure you have the basic staples like flour, baking powder, baking soda, and your favorite herbs and spices. Stock up on your favorite oils, such as avocado oil and olive oil.  Broths and stocks are also great to always have on hand. I’ve recently switched from canned/boxed broth to bouillon cubes. They save space!

Instead of stocking up on bottled water, try getting a water filter for your refrigerator or faucet, so you won't have to worry about stocking up anymore.  It’s green, convenient, and saves money. If you don't have this option, invest in an inexpensive Brita pitcher with an extra filter to always have on hand.