After a long day at work, the drive-through may look mighty welcoming. But don't give in to the call of fast food just yet. With a little planning and know-how, you can have on hand all the pantry staples you need to put a healthy meal on the table. Keep these items around, and you'll never need to order take-out again:

  • Sweet potatoes. Baked, roasted or steamed, these are delicious on their own. And they're as healthful as they are yummy. Stuffed with Vitamin C, potassium, fiber and carotenoids, they're a nutritional powerhouse. For a special treat, slice them like French fries, spritz with cooking oil, layer on a foil-lined baking sheet, and bake in the oven at high heat until they're crispy. Or steam and mash with a little honey and cinnamon for a sweet side dish.
  • Whole-grain crackers. When that hunk of low-fat cheese or jar of natural peanut butter is calling your name, you need something with a solid crunch to go with it. Go for whole-grain crackers and crispbreads that are chock full of fiber. Many of them are low-calorie and fat free as well. Eat them in place of refined carbs like white bread, bagels and rolls and you'll reap the rewards.