INGREDIENTS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE AT HOME

We all know how increasingly reliant Americans are on fast food and takeout, and how replacing those meals with home-cooked fare can help you lose weight. The first step toward that goal is a well-stocked kitchen. This week, we’ll highlight a few essentials that make it easier and faster to create a delicious meal in your own home.

1. Canned Beans: The easiest way to start a home-cooked meal. Open a can and get protein, healthy carbs, and fiber all at once! Stock a variety of beans to keep it interesting; try black beans, chickpeas, cannellini beans, and lentils, for starters.
2. Balsamic Vinegar: The ultimate low-calorie marinade and dressing. Once you start experimenting with this staple, you’ll find yourself using it all the time. Drizzle vinegar over warm veggies like beets; reduce and use as a sauce for lamb or chicken; or use it to top any salad. The punch of flavor balsamic vinegar adds will transform a dish from ordinary to exotic.
3. Whole-Wheat Flour Tortillas: An easy source of complex carbohydrates that can be used in countless ways. Try adding some meat, chicken, or beans along with some veggies, and roll them up for a quick and tasty burrito. Add a slice of turkey breast lunchmeat or some tuna, and top with chopped tomatoes for a filling and healthy no-cook dinner. Go for the fajita-sized ones, and limiting portion size and calories will be a no-brainer.
4. Egg Substitute: The basis for the fastest and easiest cooked meal around. The key is getting creative. Buy pre-made tabouli and mix it in, or add a package of Madras lentils.  Throw in sundried tomatoes and a couple of sliced olives for a Mediterranean taste. You can even chop up egg substitute and add it to some rice and veggies with a dash of soy sauce for a quick Chinese stir-fry. The possibilities are virtually endless; prep time is nil.
5. Whole-Wheat Couscous: When you’re craving something hearty but have no time, this grain cooks in less than five minutes. Toss couscous with veggies, mix it with pasta sauce, use it to bulk up an omelet, or even add a spoonful of preserves and eat it for breakfast. The whole-wheat version is even more nutritious and filling.
6. Frozen Veggies: Always there…and they never spoil! Stock your freezer with a variety of frozen veggies, and you’ll find yourself reaching for them every night because they’re so easy to make. Start your meal with edamame, stir a California blend into some pasta, or add mixed vegetables to a (nonstick spray) stir-fry.
7. Feta Cheese: You may think cheese is off-limits on a medical weight loss plan. But feta gets a nod as a must-have staple because of its two unique benefits: It’s lower in calories and fat than most cheeses, and its rich flavor means you only need a little. So think of it as a condiment, not a food. Just a tablespoon or two is all you need to top salads, chili, omelets, or burritos.