How to Stock a Healthy Pantry
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Published Mar 21, 2020, Updated Jul 28, 2021
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Tips from a health coach about how to stock a healthy pantry so you always have food on hand to make healthy and delicious meals!
One key to making healthy eating easier is making sure your pantry is stocked with healthy foods.
I always joke that Isaac and I have way too much food in the house for two people, but then again I don’t ever complain when I look up recipes and already have all the ingredients on hand!
Once you have your pantry stocked with these healthy staples be sure to check out my healthy pantry staple recipes for a roundup of quick and easy meals you can make.
Healthy Pantry Staples to Keep on Hand
Grains and Legumes
- Oats (steel cut and old fashioned)
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Dry beans like chickpeas, red beans, black beans and lentils
- Pasta (I like legume-based pastas)
Canned/Packaged Goods
- Crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes and tomato paste
- Marinara
- Canned coconut milk
- Canned pumpkin
- Canned tuna
- Vegetable and chicken broth
- Shelf-stable non-dairy milk
Nuts, Seeds and Dried Fruit
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, etc.)
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Shredded coconut
- Dried fruit (dates, raisins, cranberries, blueberries, etc.)Â
- Nut/seed Butter (almond, coconut, peanut, sunflower, tahini, etc.)
Oil and Vinegar
- Oil (coconut, avocado, olive, etc.)Â
- Vinegar (balsamic, apple cider vinegar)
Condiments
- Ghee
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Tamari, soy sauce or coconut aminos
- Maple syrup
- Salad dressings
- Sriracha
Long Lasting Veggies
- Onions
- GarlicÂ
- Potatoes (sweet potatoes and white potatoes)
- Winter squash (spaghetti squash, butternut, acorn, etc)
Baking Supplies
- Grain-free flours (almond, coconut, oat, etc.)
- Coconut sugar
- Honey
- Chocolate chips
- Baking soda / baking powder
Fridge Staples
- Eggs
- Veggies (lettuce/ spinach, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, ginger root etc.)
- Fruits (lemons, limes, apples, oranges, grapes, blueberries, avocados, etc.)Â
- Meat & Seafood (chicken, ground turkey, salmon)
- Tofu
- TempehÂ
- YogurtÂ
- Hummus
- Feta cheeseÂ
Freezer Staples
- Veggie burgers
- Frozen fruit (I love blueberries, banana, and mango)
- Frozen veggies (my faves: stir-fry veggie blends, edamame, cauliflower rice, broccoli, peas and corn)
- Frozen seafood (salmon and shrimp are my go-tos)
- Whole grain bread and English Muffins
What is the problem with canned tomatoes? Does it apply to home canned tomatoes in mason jars? I only eat my own home canned tomatoes.
Check out this article. It’s the BPA in the cans that’s the issue. Homemade canned tomatoes are great!
Thanks so much for posting this! I’ve just started trying to eat healthier and LOVE your blog; everything I’ve made following your recipes have come out amazing. This is so helpful to start stocking my pantry.
Thank you so much Kat! I’m glad you have been enjoying the recipes.
What a great idea and thanks for the heads up on the contest! I could always use an excuse to up my grocery budget… 😉
yes to keeping healthy food stocked and on hand!! totally agree! makes life easier when you have great choices around!
I definitely have heard that I have a pantry that’s enough to feed a family of four… and I’m single! My pantry has benefitted many people, as I’ve always had enough on hand to make random dinners and to give away if they needed something. I always hit up the bulk bins to stock my pantry, even more so now that I live an hour away from the nearest Whole Foods!
A staple I’m known for: unique jams & mustards.
Having a stocked pantry is key to healthy eating! I also like to have a stocked up fridge – we’ll make a big batch of brown/wild rice to eat throughout the week and also have a big bowl of salad washed and reading to go
I totally agree! I usually make a batch of quinoa and buy salad greens as well as other fresh veggies and fruits to have one hand for the week. It works out really well for quick meals.
I love Whole Foods, I drive 35 miles one way to get the closest location, well worth it. I plan before I shop so I only need to go back every 4 months, bulk foods go a long, plus they let you stack their coupons with manufacturer coupons!
Really?!? I’ll have to inquire about the coupon stacking at my location. Good to know. 🙂
Bulk foods is the way to go 🙂 Rolled oats are key and we always have quinoa and nuts and seeds too. But most importantly there is always a jar of peanut butter ready to go!
I can’t believe I forgot about my nuts and nut butters. Those are must-haves. 🙂
A pantry stocked with healthy foods is a must! We always have brown rice, beans, whole grain pasta, pasta sauce, a few varieties of Kellogg’s FiberPlus(R) cereal, apples, bananas and raisins on hand. Oh, and spices! Those are a must. 🙂
most of those items are pantry staples for me too! i’m having a hard time coming up with any other staples that aren’t on the list. i guess breadcrumbs, chia seeds, flax, and nuts are also staples for me.
Yes- chia seeds. Forgot those little guys!!