One Step to a Healthier You: Purge the Pantry

Many people are trying to eat healthier, and I have what may be the best tip to make healthy eating a new lifelong habit, not an unsustainable frenzy.

Purge the Pantry

If your fridge and cupboards are full of junk, you’re likely to eat it.

No matter what changes you’re trying to implement—eating fewer carbs, consuming less processed foods, adhering to paleo or Whole30, or going gluten-free—keeping the foods you’re avoiding means constant exposure to temptation.

You don’t need that in your life.

What to Do

Go through all cupboards, the fridge, and the freezer.

Place everything that doesn’t align with your goals into a box.

For example, if you’re aiming to eat fewer carbs, consider discarding pastas and breads.

While you’re at it, check expiration dates and scrutinize nutrition facts on everything. This compels you to evaluate each item in your pantry, not just the obvious junk food. If it’s expired, purge it.

Be ruthless. Keeping that package of cookies because you might want them on a Saturday night is simply self-sabotage.

Removing the excess junk from your pantry doesn’t mean you can never enjoy a cookie again. When you desire a cookie, visit the grocery store or bakery to buy one. This creates a barrier that prevents mindlessly grabbing the package and snacking while watching Netflix.

So, don’t let those “what if” or “but I…” thoughts prevent you from purging items.

I suggest doing this before your next grocery shopping trip, so you know which essentials (spices, condiments, etc.) you might need to replenish.

What to Do with What You Purge

I get it. It feels wasteful to discard perfectly good food. There are several options before tossing the box of purged items into the trash.

First, if it’s expired, throw it out. That should be obvious.

Donate non-perishable items to your local food pantry. Perishable items can be given away to friends, and opened items can be given to really close friends.

If you are hesitant to find a new home for the food you’re purging, just throw it out.

If your goal is to eat healthier, achieving that goal means not consuming the food, and it will go to waste regardless. It’s not worth keeping.

After you’ve purged the pantry, ensure you avoid reintroducing junk food into your home.

As I mentioned, this doesn’t mean you never eat certain foods again. It simply means those foods are not constantly present. Instead, enjoy them intentionally on special occasions.

An additional benefit of purging your pantry is that your shelves and fridge will be much cleaner, giving you the chance to better organize everything.

All the expired food and junk will be gone, leaving you with a solid foundation to eat healthier and make your new habits stick. Score!