Get Your Pantry Passover-Ready: What to Keep and What to Toss

Revamping your pantry and fridge for healthier eating might seem daunting at first, but it is crucial for keeping the right ingredients at your fingertips. This way, you'll be able to achieve your health goals and possibly maintain or even lose weight during the holiday season instead of gaining it.

Refined Carbs and Processed Foods Out – Fresh and Frozen Vegetables In

What to remove? Get rid of all processed foods, including refined carbs, even those kosher for Passover, and sugary snacks. These items are high in carbs and don't align with a healthy lifestyle.

What to add? Instead, stock up on low-carb fresh and frozen vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini. These veggies are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and will keep you full longer.

(Photo: shutterstock)

Canola Oil Out – Nut Oils In

What to remove? Oils rich in omega-6 fatty acids, such as canola, sunflower, and corn oils. These can oxidize and contribute to chronic inflammation in the body.

What to add? Replace them with healthy oils like olive oil, coconut oil, and nut oils. These are rich in healthy fats, promoting balanced blood lipids and reducing heart disease risk.

(Photo: shutterstock)

Chocolate Spreads Out – Almond Butter In

What to remove? It's time to replace spreads and condiments containing added sugar or high in carbs. Avoid other processed items that might hide carbs or unhealthy additives, especially discouraged for diabetics.

What to add? Opt for natural spreads like tahini, almond butter, or peanut butter, which are rich in healthy fats and protein.

Revamping your pantry and fridge for healthier eating prioritizes whole, nutritious foods while cutting out carb-heavy processed items. By stocking up on fresh, low-carb vegetables, healthy oils, and natural spreads, you'll have the right ingredients handy to create delicious and satisfying meals that support your health goals. Diabetics can monitor their progress with a continuous glucose monitor and without pricking.

Michal's Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies (10 servings) – Passover-Friendly, Contains Legumes

Ingredients:

• 1 container of 38% whipping cream
• 100 grams of 85% dark chocolate
• 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• Half a teaspoon of baking powder

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Heat the cream.
• Melt the chocolate (you can place the chocolate dish in a warm oven for five minutes, or use a double boiler method, or microwave).
• Add the heated cream and mix.
• Mix in peanut butter, vanilla, and baking powder well.
• Add the eggs.
• Pour the mixture into a 10-serving cupcake pan or into 10 muffin liners.
• Bake for about 15 minutes.
• For best results, let them sit in the refrigerator overnight before eating.

(Photo: shutterstock)

(Recipe from the book "The Ketogenic Diet," by Adina Bachar)

Adina Bachar is a diabetes and ketogenic nutrition dietitian at the DMC Diabetes Care Center, author of "The Ketogenic Diet" book, and head of the Future Association