You asked and I finally got around to delivering. A few of my readers have inquired about where I buy my many different food items and what staples I find to be the most important and useful in my diet.
It was fun looking through my pantry and doing a quick inventory. I found items I forgot I had and I am excited about consuming now, and I may have learned I am a peanut butter / nut butter hoarder. A little excessive with my almost shelve full of nut butters.
I guess you just don’t know what kind of flavor mood you’ll be in. š Nutrition is so important to our running and racing. In fact, I think it can aid in recovery and performance, especially when the proper pre and post run fuel is used. There are many items that should be a staple in the runner’s diet, i.e. protein powders (whether it’s plant based or not), nut butters, nuts and proper hydration.
Below you’ll find what’s hidden in my cabinets, fueling my runs and quenching my RUNger. Oh and because I am OCD, I categorized the items, and I also included where you can find all of these items.
Where to Buy
- Trader Joes
- Whole Foods
- Huckleberry’s Natural Market or other natural market known in your area
- Costco
- VitaCost or Swanson Vitamins (online retailers)
- Bulk sections of those grocers with bulk sections (Whole Foods, Fred Myer, Natural Markets) Buying in bulk is cheaper!!
Grains / PastasĀ (I buy most, if not all of these items organically when available)
- Rolled Oats (GF)
- Polenta
- Brown Rice
- Quinoa
- Wild Rice Blend
- Millet
- Brown Rice or Quinoa Pastas (GF Pastas)
- Whole Grain Pastas
- Gluten Free Bread
- Bagels *these are for my hubby, he love his bagels
Canned / Glass Foods : I don’t buy many canned food products and never buy canned fruit, but I find that canned beans are convenient and I look for BPA free cans when possible. Again I chose organic when possible.
- Black Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Kidney Beans
- Garbanzo Beans
- Stewed Tomatoes
- Full Fat Coconut Milk / Cream
- Tomato Sauce (Jarred)
- Vegetarian Refried Black Beans
FloursĀ –Ā Buy organic when possible
- Coconut Flour
- Almond meal/flour
- Buckwheat Flour
- Whole Wheat Flour
- Spelt
- Garbanzo Bean Flour
- Brown Rice Flour
- Xanthum Gum
Baking ItemsĀ –Ā Buy organic when possible
- Cocoa Powder
- Cacao Nibs
- Carob Powder
- GF Vegan Chocolate Chips
- Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- Honey *great in bites, chia puddings, teas, with PB & dates
- Agave *I use this sparingly
- Coconut Sugar *great alternative to sugar
- Pure Organic Maple Syrup *great alternative to sugar
- Molasses
- Apple sauce (unsweetened and organic) * used as an alternative to eggs
- Raw Organic Sugar
Nut Butters / Nuts / Seeds –Ā Organic or Natural when possible (avoid Hydrogenated oils, and added sugars). I buy most my nut butters at costco or vitacost, because they are cheaper and occasionally at Trader Joe’s.
- Peanut Butter (creamy & crunchy) – Wild Friends, Marantha, Organic Kirkland Brand at Costco
- Flavored Peanut Butters –Wild Friends
- Almond Butter (creamy & crunchy) – MaranathaĀ &Ā Wild Friends
- Coconut Butter
- Sweet Spreads CoconutterĀ – (can be found at Vitacost) A flavored coconut butter
- Nuts (Cashews, Almond, Pecans, Walnuts, Pistachios) – bulk section, Costco & Trader Joe’s best bet
- Sesame Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Hemp Seeds *best to store in the fridge
- Chia Seeds
- Ground Flaxseed *best to store in the fridge
- Trail Mix
Dried Fruits –Ā Bulk sections and Trader Joe’s has a great selection
- Raisins
- Cranberries
- Apricots
- Prunes
- Figs
- Dates
Beans & Legumes – Bulk section
- A bean soup mix
- Lentils (red and green)
- White Beans
- Split Peas
- black beans
- garbanzo beans
Hydration / Fuel for Running & Exercise
- Nuun
- Tart Cherry Juice
- Plant Based Protein – VitaCost, Costco has Vega One, Trader Joes, Natural Markets
- Barlean’s Chocolate Greens –Vitacost, Natural Markets
- Picky BarsĀ
- Larabar, Probar, Kind Bars
- Honey Stinger Chews, Gels and Protein Bars
Snacks
- Rice Crackers
- Rice Cakes
- Pop corn (for air popping)
- Sometimes Pirates Booty
- Dark Chocolate
Teas –Ā I drink a variety of different teas, but these are some of my favorites
- Matcha Green Tea Powder
- Yerba Matte (loose leaf)
- Green Tea
- Lemon Ginger Tea
- Echinacea Tea *immune support
- Nettle Tea (loose leaf)
- Green Tea Muscle RecoveryĀ (Yogi)
Herbs / Spices / Seasonings – This are only a few of what I use, but these are a must because of their anti-inflammatory properties, anti-cancer, and disease prevention.
- Cinnamon
- Cayenne Pepper
- Turmeric
- Chili Powder
- Curry Powder
- Himalayan Sea Salt
- Basil
- Oregano
- Rosemary
Miscellaneous
- Tuna Fish *marc’s addition
- Organic Mayonnaise
- Organic Vegannaise
- Organic Mac’n’Cheese (because sometimes you just need simplicity and convenience)
- Lemon and Lime Juice
- Vegetable Broth
- Nutritional Yeast *great for a dairy alternative for cheese in pasta dishes,Ā
These listed ingredients are great for smoothies, protein bars, bites, treats, oatmeal,Ā granola, oatmeal / quinoa bakes, pastas, granola, trail mixes and snacks. I am sure I have missed some items, but for the most part these are my staples. I always have these on hand, so I am equipped and ready for making healthy snacks, dinner and fuel.
Hope this helped!!
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
What’s in your pantry that you can’t live without? What does every runner need in their pantry?
Man, I want to move inside your pantry! š Thanks for this post.
My pantry has many of the same items. I love to bake and cook, so having whole ingredients on hand is a must. I love Swansons because it gets delivered straight to my front door.