Stocking a healthy pantry is a must if you're trying to improve your health. I'm going to share with you some key ingredients to keep in your pantry to help you navigate eating cleaner.
Oil and Vinegar
Make sure you are stocked up on good-for-you oils like extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil. I don't recommend stocking seed/vegetable oils, as these tend to go rancid fast and are not very good for you, despite their "health" claims. As for vinegar, it's always a good idea to have some apple cider vinegar stocked in your pantry. Red and white wine vinegars are good to keep stocked as well, since they are great to add to healthy homemade salad dressings. If you're feeling adventurous, it's not a bad idea to stock some finishing oils like truffle oil or sesame oil - just don't cook with them, as they tend to have a low smoke point. They are best for flavoring meals after they have been prepared to give them a boost of flavor.
Flours
If you're an avid baker, it doesn't hurt to have some flours stocked in your pantry. Almond flour, coconut flour, and arrowroot flour are ones I keep around. You never know when the urge to make a single-serving mug cake will strike.
Cans and Jars
Things in BPA-free cans and jars are good to keep stocked since they have a longer shelf life. Some of my staples include olives of all kinds, diced tomatoes and tomato paste, beans (if you like them), canned fish, and artichoke hearts. Pre-made bone broth can also be found in glass jars, and can easily be kept in your pantry for when you run out of your own homemade broth or don't have time to make your own.
Sauces and Marinades
I prefer making my own sauces and marinades when I can. However, there are some good ones I keep stocked in my pantry for emergencies. I love coconut aminos, pretty much any sauce or dressing from Primal Kitchen Foods, and other random sauces and marinades I find on sale from time to time at health food stores or online from Thrive Market.
Spices
I like keeping spices around. One thing I always have in my pantry is real salt from Redmond. A favorite spice blend of mine is AIP Paleo Powder. I also like most of the spices from Frontier Co-Op, Primal Palate, and Balanced Bites. I find that these brands don't contain additives or any other questionable ingredients. None of these links are affiliate links. So click away. I won't get any kick-back from them. But if you want to help me out, you can check out Thrive Market (I order a lot of spices from them) and get 25% off your first order.
Nuts, Seeds, and Nut Butters
Nuts are good to have around for snacking. I like macadamia nuts, dry-roasted almonds, pistachios, and cashews. I also like to stock almond butter and coconut butter. These can be used in baking or just eaten by the spoonful if needed. If you have a fancy food processor, you can even turn your nuts into nut butters. Sometimes I soak cashews overnight and then make cashew milk out of them in my Vitamix. As for seeds, I like to keep chia seeds and hemp seeds around. Chia seeds are great for making chia pudding. And hemp seeds can be added to salad or smoothie bowls for added texture.
Baking Items
It's a good idea to stock baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract, and honey for use when baking. Sometimes I also keep a bag of chocolate chips in my pantry. But I don't have good self-control around chocolate chips. They often get eaten before I can use them for baking. I get them in the bulk section at my local co-op or zero waste market.
Produce
Some produce can be stored in your pantry for a limited amount of time. I like to keep garlic, shallots, onions, and sweet potatoes around.
How do you stock a healthy pantry? I'd love to hear from you!