What to keep in the cupboards
I am often asked what one should keep in the cupboards when starting a healthier lifestyle. I have compiled a list of the things I always have around. Most of these things you will be able to buy in a large supermarket but some of the things you might need to buy in a health food store, or online. This list is not complete as there are many food items that you might require once in a blue moon. These listed below will however get you pretty far. I aim to use only organic ingredients but you can of course use the non-organic versions if you prefer. Your cooking/baking won't be ruined but the taste might not be as good and there is always the risk of pesticides and dodgy stuff in the non-organic produce.
The following things are necessary to keep in your cupboards and you will use often:
- Cold pressed coconut oil (or rapeseed oil)
- Cane sugar (Rapadura or other cane sugar)
- Agave nectar
- Cocoa powder
- Dark chocolate (with cane sugar). I prefer Green & Black's
- Spelt flour (white and wholegrain)
- Gluten free and aluminium free baking powder
- Yeast free vegetable stock cubes
- Raisins
- Pitted dates
- Cashew nuts
- Vanilla extract
- Peanut butter
- Tahini (sesame paste)
The following things are good to have and will keep well:
- Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts (store in the fridge)
- Carob powder (if you don't like to use cocoa powder)
- Carob 'chocolate' (if you don't like to use chocolate)
- Cocoa nibs (or 85% chocolate)
- Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds
- Qunioa corn
- Coconut milk
- Goji berries
- Acai berries
- Maple syrup
The following things I normally have around as well but are not essential:
- Yoghurt (or soy yoghurt)
- Tomato sauce (ketchup) (the healthy kind of course)
- Tamari sauce
- Thai Green or Red curry (if you are vegan check that they don't contain shrimp paste)
- Soy milk (I use soy milk sweetened with apple juice)
- You can also use almond milk, rice milk, oat milk or skimmed milk in my recipes instead of soy milk
- Oat cream
- Cashew butter
- Almond butter
- Coconut water
- All kinds of nuts (hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts and almonds)
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