Stocking A Clean Eating Pantry

There are many reasons that people start eating clean.  But no matter what your reasons are, you have to have some place to start. Some point of reference for which to stock your kitchen cabinets and pantry.

When I started eating clean, it was a relatively easy change for me because I had grown up with this type of cooking and eating. But for most folks today, stocking a clean eating pantry is not second nature. In fact, many people don’t have a clue where to start. So I thought I would give you a few pointers.

Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – This type of flour is easily substituted in most recipes calling for white flour. It’s cheapest to purchase it in bulk at your local health food store. (You’ll need to find another alternative if you are gluten sensitive).

Beans - Whether you like them canned or dried so you can cook them yourself, be sure you have plenty of these on hand in a broad variety. They are nutrition powerhouses and are very easy on the wallet. Just be sure to read labels if you are buying canned beans. Many will have added sugar. Avoid these. The sugar is not necessary or part of a clean eating lifestyle. Some beans to try:

• Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• Black beans
• Kidney beans
• Pinto beans
• Adzuki beans
• Navy beans

Grains - There are so many grains available today. Long gone are the days when we had to make due with corn, oats or wheat. Today we have a veritable cornucopia of nutritious grains at our disposal. Here are just a few to get you started:

• Quinoa
• Brown Rice
• Barley
• Millet

TVP - This is short for Textured Vegetable Protein. In comes either in bulk or in packages at most health food stores, and is a fabulous substitution for many recipes that require meat. It can be a really nice change in your diet, even if you are not vegetarian. Use TVP in recipes calling for ground meat such as:

• Chili
• Tacos
• Burritos
• Casseroles
• Stews
• Soups

Dairy alternatives – There is much debate over whether or not dairy is good for us. Some people say it’s the best source for calcium while others say humans were not meant to consume animal milk. But no matter where you stand on this matter, here are some great alternatives to have on hand:

• Soy milk (Unsweetened)
• Almond milk (Unsweetened)
• Rice milk (unsweetened)

Nuts - These wondrous little doo-dads are a great addition to your eating plan in small amounts. The nutrients found in nuts are unequaled, and they really add a flavorful punch to anything you add them to. Some nuts to get you started are:

• Almonds (Raw is best)
• Hazelnuts
• Walnuts
• Pecans

Sweeteners – There are actually quite a few sweeteners allowed on a clean eating plan. Personally, I only use agave because it’s the only sweetener my poor blood sugar can handle. But here is a list of others to try.

• Agave
• Honey
• Rapadura
• Maple syrup
• Brown rice syrup

Extras - Some extras you should always have on hand are:

• Flax Seed Meal
• Oat bran
• Oatmeal ( I love the steel cut oats, but traditional cut is fine if you prefer it)
• Wheat germ

So there you have it. It’s by no means a complete list, but it’s a place to start. When you go grocery shopping, just add fresh fruits and veggies to this list and you’ll be well on your way to better health!

Help me make this a better resource for you!
Please place your vote below.

Eat and Enjoy!