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11 Foods That Were Cluttering My Pantry and Wasting My Money

Organizing your pantry can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Over time, you may find that certain foods clutter your shelves and make it harder to keep everything in order. By eliminating just a few specific items from your grocery list, you can create a more streamlined and organized pantry space.

Making intentional choices about what to keep on hand can lead to a dramatic change in how your pantry looks and feels. You might not even realize which foods are causing the mess until you take a closer look.

Canned Soup

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Canned soup can pile up quickly in your pantry. It often ends up hiding at the back, making it hard to keep track of what you have. You might find that many cans are expired or not what you really enjoy anymore. By cutting back on canned soup, you create space for items you actually use and love.

Sugary Cereals

A grocery store shelf displaying various cereal boxes, including brands like Kellogg's and Malt-O-Meal, featuring products like Fitness, All-Bran, Muesli, Corn Flakes, and Cinnamon Toasters, with colorful packaging and price tags visible
Image Credit: Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg 19+ / Alamy Stock Photo.

Sugary cereals might seem like an easy breakfast option, but they can clutter your pantry fast. They often come in large boxes, taking up valuable space and offering little nutritional value.

Switching to healthier options can make your pantry feel more organized and help you manage what you have. You’ll find that making a simple change leads to a more streamlined space.

Flavored Instant Oatmeal

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Flavored instant oatmeal might seem convenient, but it can clutter your pantry. Those little packets take up space and often contain added sugars and artificial ingredients. Instead, consider buying plain oats and adding your own toppings. You can personalize each bowl, control the sweetness, and keep your pantry organized.

Bottled Salad Dressings

Close-Up Photo of Bottle
Photo by Marco Antonio Victorino: https://www.pexels.

You might find that bottled salad dressings take up valuable space in your pantry. Many of them contain additives and preservatives that aren’t great for you.

Instead, try making your own dressings at home. They’re simple, fresh, and taste way better than store-bought options. Plus, you can control the ingredients you use!

Pre-Made Baking Mixes

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Pre-made baking mixes can take up valuable pantry space. They often come in bulky boxes or bags that clutter your shelves.

By skipping these mixes, you can create your own blends with basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and baking powder.

This not only saves space but also allows you to customize your recipes to suit your taste. Plus, it encourages more home baking!

Canned Vegetables

Cans of assorted vegetables, including mixed carrots, black beans, green peas, golden corn, garbanzo beans, and mixed vegetables, neatly arranged on a store shelf
Image Credit: alisafarov/ Shutterstock.

Canned vegetables can take up a lot of space in your pantry. By choosing fresh or frozen options, you can reduce clutter and enjoy better flavors.

If you have a few favorites, consider storing them vertically using tiered racks. This keeps your pantry organized and makes it easier to see what you have on hand.

Microwave Popcorn

Popcorn in Ceramic Bowl
Photo by Mo Abrahim: https://www.pexels.

Microwave popcorn is a fun, quick snack that can easily clutter your pantry. Instead of keeping a bunch of bulky boxes, consider using a Microwave Popcorn Organizer. This will help you save space and keep the popcorn neat.

By switching to stackable storage, you’ll find it easier to grab a packet without rummaging through a messy cabinet. Plus, it keeps everything visible and accessible.

Flavored Yogurt

Bowl of Dip with Crushed Black Peppers
Photo by Alesia Kozik: https://www.pexels.

Flavored yogurt can take up a lot of space in your pantry. Instead of buying various sweetened options, consider making your own.

With plain yogurt, you can easily add fresh fruit, honey, or spices to suit your taste. This not only reduces waste but keeps your pantry organized and versatile.

Sugary Granola Bars

Boxes of Nature Valley Crunchy granola bars on a grocery store shelf, neatly arranged packaging, bright green and yellow boxes displaying product details, labels indicating 24 bars per box
Image Credit: The Image Party/ Shutterstock.

Sugary granola bars can take up valuable pantry space. They often come with added sugars and preservatives, which may not be the healthiest choice for snacking.

By skipping these bars, you can make room for healthier options like nuts or homemade snacks. Plus, you’ll find it easier to maintain a tidy pantry without all those colorful wrappers.

Pre-Packaged Rice Dishes

Bag of Zatarain's long grain rice, enriched parboiled rice, clear plastic packaging, bold branding, grocery store shelf, New Orleans-style product
Image Credit: Dr. Victor Wong/ Shutterstock.

Pre-packaged rice dishes can clutter your pantry. They often come in bulky boxes or bags, taking up unnecessary space.

By cooking rice from scratch, you can control portions and save room for other essentials. Plus, you can customize flavors and ingredients, making your meals more enjoyable. Think about switching to plain rice and adding your own spices or veggies.

Soda

Coca Cola Cans and Glasses With Lines
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels

Cutting out soda can really help simplify your pantry. It takes up space that could be better used for healthier options. Plus, you’ll notice less clutter and maybe even a reduction in cravings for sugary drinks.

Replacing soda with water or homemade drinks keeps your pantry organized and encourages better habits. Your pantry will feel more balanced without those bulky soda cans.

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