Pantry Clean Up

You're on the path to eating healthier, working out regularly and tracking your daily food choices. Let's make that last goal a little bit easier by giving your pantry a makeover. Cleaning out your pantry, cupboards and refrigerator won't just make you happy it'll set you up to succeed.

Think about it: You're way less likely to overindulge in chips, cookies and other processed foods if they're not in your house, right? So when you're hungry, you'll reach for an apple and peanut or other nut butter or celery and hummus rather than ice cream.

How to Decide What to Toss Out

First of all, junk the junk food. You know what items we're talking about — those sugary and salty treats that you instantly crave when you're stressed out or beyond hungry. The truth is, you don't need that kind of temptation around. If you can't live without a little indulgence, put it away in a little-used cabinet or above eye level.

And while you're in your pantry and refrigerator, toss anything that's beyond its expiration date. There's no use risking food borne illnesses by consuming months-old salad dressing.

Now take a look at what you have left. Reading the nutrition label should be your first step. If you can't pronounce an ingredient, it has more than five ingredients or a ton of added sugar, decide whether you'll toss it or keep it on a higher shelf.

If you feel bad tossing out unopened boxes of mac 'n' cheese and cans of cheddar broccoli soup, donate those items to you local food bank (assuming, of course, they're not past expiration).

For most of your favorite snacks there is a healthier alternative. Just google it!! There are a lot of young start up companies out there that have great products.