When you’re trying to eat healthily, a cluttered pantry can make you want to throw in the towel and reach for a snack instead. But hold that thought! We’ve got a few simple ways to maximise pantry space and make your quitting sugar journey that much simpler.

Whether you’re a top chef or a ready-made-meal kind of person, pantry space is a precious commodity in the kitchen. Making the most of your pantry space can be a game-changer for your health goals as it puts the nutritious foods at the forefront and the less-healthy items out of sight. With some planning and organising, you can easily maximise your pantry space and create a functional storage area. Here’s how.

Sort and declutter everything

Before you start, take the time to sort through all your food items and discard anything that is expired. If you’ve quit sugar, you may want to take out any sugary foods and give them to family and friends so you’ll be free of temptation. After clearing out old items, you’ll have a clear idea of what you have and what you need to store.

Try stackable containers

Make the most of the height of your pantry by stacking upwards – stackable containers are especially convenient for this purpose. You can get them in a range of sizes and shapes to suit your pantry, and they can store rice, pasta, flour, tea, coffee or any other foods or drinks you’re buying often. Choose containers that are clear and label them so you can easily see what's inside.

Install shelves

Adding shelving is an easy way to create more storage space in your pantry – you may want to try wire shelves to ensure air can circulate through. Though solid shelves also work well for stability.

Make use of the back of the door

Don’t let that door go to waste! The back of the pantry door can hold small items like spice racks and condiment racks – simply mount these racks to the door so when you open it up, it’s right there!

Group like items

Grouping similar items together helps you find what you're looking for quicker and it also allows you to take inventory of what you have on hand when you’re about to dash to the supermarket. Canned goods, baking ingredients and sauces could each be considered groups.

Use drawers and baskets

Installing drawers is an effective way to maximise pantry space, especially when sorting items that are harder to stack – think flour, sauce bottles and rice. Baskets also work well for irregular-shaped items, and they also allow you to add a bit of colour to your pantry!

Having a little trouble sticking to your health goals? That’s what we’re here for. It’s no secret that a sugar habit is a tough one to beat – wherever you go, sugar is there. Unlike ditching alcohol, there are few places where sugar is unwelcome. From birthday parties and functions to the office pantry, Sunday markets and the supermarket. Is it any wonder that so many of us find it hard to quit the stuff? That’s why it can also help to join a program like ours – our 8-Week Program is based on accountability, support and providing the essential resources to set you up for success. We’ll help you change the way you look at food – and that doesn’t mean you have to follow restrictive diets or miss out on your favourite foods; we believe you can still enjoy delicious food without jeopardising your health. With celebrity chef Sarah Glover on our panel of experts, you’ll have an array of fun recipes at your fingertips, along with our own exclusive armoury of simple, tasty and healthy recipes for everything from daily meals to impressive entertaining.

We’ve also got nutritionists, personal trainers and naturopaths in our team of experts, and they understand what our bodies need and how to best arm ourselves against those cravings. So, if you’ve been having a little trouble keeping that sugar addiction at bay, we’re here to help. We know it can be hard to stick to your health goals – especially when you’re trying to manage it alone. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
2. 90+ member-only recipes.
3. Community forums to share your journey.
4. Support and guidance from the I Quit Sugar team.
5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to join. We’d love to help you get started on your health journey. Sign up HERE today!