Having an array of non-perishable food on hand is always a good idea! My husband and I love keeping a well organized pantry so we have healthy food choices ready-to-go when needed.
With that in mind, I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed to stock your pantry for success! This has been my number one request lately and I wanted to make it as easy as possible for you to have a plan of attack when it comes to restocking your pantry.
These are just some of my favorites so let me know if I’m missing any of your go-tos but I hope this helps make grocery shopping easy peasy.
My Favorite Healthy Non-Perishable Foods
Canned Goods
The canning process preserves most of a food’s nutrients, so important things like protein, carbs, fat, minerals, and most fat-soluble vitamins remain intact for long periods of time in canned goods. They are also great because they are inexpensive, easy to prepare, have a long shelf life, and you can typically use them in a variety of different ways. For example, something like black beans could be used in tacos, stews/chili, salads, with rice, eggs- you get the idea. Being creative with your canned goods and using them in ways you may have not tried before can be a great way to add extra flavor and nutrients to your meals.
Some canned goods I love:
- Black beans
- Pinto beans
- Garbanzo beans
- Diced tomatoes
- Organic corn
- Sweet peas
- Artichokes
- Olives
Grains
I love to keep different kinds of healthy complex carbs on hand at all times to even out meals. Grains like lentils, quinoa and rice can be combined with almost any kind of food, they support healthy digestion, and are full of minerals and fiber. Additionally, these healthy complex carbs are all extremely versatile and can last a long time, especially when kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place (I love these OXO ones).
Some healthy grains to get:
- Lentils
- Rice (white & brown)
- Quinoa
- Organic oatmeal
Broths/Liquids:
Broths and soups are inexpensive and nutritious, usually have a long shelf life, and can also be used in a ton of different ways. I love to make my own soup at home with vegetables and chicken or bone broth. Broths can also be added to many kinds of dishes when cooking everything from grains, to chicken, to chili, and more. Soups are also great to have since they last a long time and can be prepared easily.
Some great broths/liquids:
- Chicken broth
- Bone broth
- Soups
Dried fruit:
Dried fruits have had most of the water content removed, so they can be preserved for much longer than fresh fruit. Dried fruit like raisins for example are rich in fiber, phenolic antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. This type of fruit is also great to pair with other nutritious foods as a snack. For example, I love to spread peanut butter or almond butter on an apple slice and top it with some dried fruit for added flavor and nutrients. You can also add them to recipes like oatmeal, muffins, salads, and as a topping for smoothies!
While I typically like to opt for fresh fruit over dried fruit when I can, these are great options for when you don’t have as much access to fresh fruit or to use as a more natural way to sweeten certain recipes.
Dried fruit to add to your list:
- Raisins
- Goji berries
- Dates
Nut butters
When it comes to nut butters, it’s important to watch out for added sugars and other processed ingredients, but they can be great to have on hand for all kinds of things. I suggest looking for a nut butter that consists of just nuts, or nuts and salt. However, whether you choose almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter, all types of nut butter are a good source of healthy fat and other vitamins and nutrients. They can last for long periods of time and be added to all kinds of food like protein shakes, fudge, overnight oats, sandwiches and more.
Nut butters to include:
- Almond butter
- Peanut butter
- Powdered peanut butter
Sauces/Oils
It’s great to keep a wide variety of healthy sauces, dressings, and oils in your pantry. Not only do they have long shelf lives but they also add lots of flavor, variety, and nutrients to meals which makes healthy eating with these items easy as pie. With items like balsamic, salsa, and hot sauce on hand, you’ll never be stuck with a bland meal again. Additionally, I like to keep healthy oils like avocado oil and ghee in the pantry because of their added nutrients and flavor when cooking.
Healthy sauces/oils to stock:
- Salsa
- Hot sauce
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
- Ghee
- Balsamic
- Dressing
Nuts
Nuts are great to keep in your pantry because they can be stored for long periods of time, are high in fat and are good sources of fiber and protein. They can also be used in an endless amount of recipes, making them the perfect pantry staple. I love to eat pistachios as a snack with fruit, and add them to all kinds of recipes- breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Like grains, nuts are best kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Types of nuts you can get:
- Pistachios
- Any nuts your heart desires
Canned Meat
Getting enough protein is important not only for your energy, but also for maintaining overall health/muscle and feeling full. Canned meat is great to have in your pantry, especially for when it’s difficult to find it refrigerated or frozen in the store. Canned meat maintains most of its nutrients and can last for long periods of time making it a great choice.
Canned meats to keep on hand:
- Canned tuna
- Canned chicken
- Canned salmon
Extras
Items packed with protein are great to keep in the pantry at all times. They take minimal effort to prepare, are nutritious, and will last for a long time. They’re also great because the protein helps you feel full for longer, which can be helpful if you’re running low on other types of food.
Protein for your pantry:
- Protein powder
- Protein bars
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Xoxo,
Amanda aka MeowMeix
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