Skinny Kitchen Staples

on August 14, 2011
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Skinny Kitchen Staples

A healthy, well-rounded diet doesn’t boil down to one magic go-to food. It’s a matter of keeping key items on-hand at all times and how you use those items to eat a healthier, more balanced diet. These items will get you started.

Balsamic vinegar and olive oil

Ditch the bottled salad dressings, and opt for simple oil and aged balsamic vinegar to help cut salt intake.

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Dark chocolate

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a couple Hershey’s Special Dark miniatures.

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No-salt-added canned tomatoes

Sauté a can of diced tomatoes with onions, garlic and olive oil, toss in frozen shrimp and cook till just opaque, and serve over pasta with a sprinkle of either feta or Parmesan for a quick weeknight dinner.

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Fresh lemons and limes

Fresh lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and fresh parsley make a great marinade; mix lime juice with soy sauce, canola oil and a drop of sesame oil for an Asian version.

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Sparkling water, and cranberry and grapefruit juices

If you love fizzy drinks, plain seltzer with splashes of cranberry and grapefruit juices will quench your thirst without a ton of calories. Try mixing seltzer with white wine during the warmer months for a light and refreshing adult beverage.

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Uncooked shrimp

Defrosts quickly and adds great flavor to pastas and stir-fries.

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Ground turkey (93% lean)

For burgers, chili, spaghetti and meatballs, tacos, meatloaf. The 93% lean version is moister (and cheaper) than the “extra lean” 99% lean.

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Fat-free Greek yogurt (plain or flavored)

Twice the protein of regular yogurt and infinitely creamier, Greek yogurt makes a great snack. Try the plain instead of sour cream to top chicken tacos and other dishes.

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Skinny Kitchen Staples

A healthy, well-rounded diet doesn’t boil down to one magic go-to food. It’s a matter of keeping key items on-hand at all times and how you use those items to eat a healthier, more balanced diet. These items will get you started.

Thinkstock

Skinny Kitchen Staples

A healthy, well-rounded diet doesn’t boil down to one magic go-to food. It’s a matter of keeping key items on-hand at all times and how you use those items to eat a healthier, more balanced diet. These items will get you started.