As you've probably already heard in the news or from doctors, the human metabolism slows with aging and some health conditions and medicines cause weight gain and prevent weight loss. Yet, many people are able to slim down and maintain an optimal figure with exercise and a healthier diet.
As a result, the foods in your kitchen cabinets play a huge role in the cycle of weight gain and loss as they’re most likely to be the ones you grab for a quick snack when you’re hungry.
Which Foods Are Best?
To increase energy and give you the positive attitude and motivation needed to regularly exercise and stick with a diet*, it’s critical that the types of foods on your shelves speed up your metabolism, boost your immune system and improve your mood.
- Fruits and Vegetables contain high levels of antioxidants and important nutrients like fiber and vitamins. Always have a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as unsweetened dates, raisins, prunes and dried or canned blueberries, strawberries, mangoes, figs, apples, peas, pineapple, tomatoes and corn kernels, in your cabinets.
- Nuts and Seeds, such as untreated English and black walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds and popcorn, are high in healthy fats, protein and nutrients. Stay away though from pre-roasted, spiced or candied nuts and seeds as they may be saturated in bad fats or salt.
- Grains are the last “must have” cabinet food for a skinny kitchen. Although heavily processed grains can quickly add to your carbohydrate and sugar load, snacks, flours, cereals and pastas made with oats, heirloom rice, plain puffed rice or corn, barley, buckwheat and amaranth eaten in moderation give you the nutrients you need without adding on the pounds.
Healthy Cabinet Renovations
To make sure you’re not tempted to fall back on bad habits, consider these quick, efficient renovations that can help you stay fit:
- Stack healthy foods on white adjustable stepped shelves and store semi-unhealthy snacks that your doctor allows you to eat now-and-then, such as chips or candy, behind the shelving. The bright white shelves draw attention to healthy foods so you’re less inclined to reach for the semi-unhealthy ones.
- If you don’t like step shelves, install drawers with bins in your lower cabinets and store any semi-unhealthy snacks out of sight within them. Place all your healthy foods on upper cabinet shelving at eye level where you’re more likely to first look when craving a snack.
- Add pull out racks or rotating Lazy Susan shelves to your pantry so you don’t have to search for healthy foods when hungry.
- Use clear glass in framed or frameless doors to make certain that you always see the healthy foods in your cabinets and frosted glass or opaque doors to hide away semi-unhealthy ones.
Your kitchen cabinets aren't merely storage to protect foods from dust and light. They're fantastic tools for helping you to live a healthier life.
*Always consult with your doctor before changing any aspect of your diet.
