Plant-based pantry list! It can be overwhelming to meal plan and prep with little kids, but having plant-based staples on hand can help.
As predominantly plant-based dietitians and mamas, we love feeding our families well. We also understand how much can go into planning meals and snacks for the week ahead.
If you’re in need of some inspiration when stocking your plant-based pantry, take a peek into our kitchens with the list below.
1. Oats
You can purchase rolled oats in bulk at wholesale stores and they will last for weeks. We like using oats to make oatmeal breakfasts as well as our PBJ Balls. Or, we blend it into oat flour to use to bake muffins and use in batters for waffles and pancakes.
Oats are a good source of many vitamins and minerals, fiber, and even provide some protein.
2. Beans, Peas, & Lentils
Both canned and dried legumes make regular appearances throughout the week in our homes. Use them in soups, salads, veggie burger patties, chilis and stews, burritos, and tacos. For an even quicker use, toss them into casseroles and pasta dishes. We’ve even added a handful of green peas to smoothies before!
Legumes are high in protein, fiber, and B vitamins.
3. Pasta
There are tons of great pasta, and our pantries reflect that! We like to rotate between legume-based pasta (like lentil, bean, pea, or edamame), whole grain pasta, and even regular pasta.
Toss cooked pasta into soups and salads, enjoy it warm with marinara, pesto, or a cashew cheeze sauce, or make a cold pasta salad with fresh veggies.
4. Pumpkin Puree
Yes, you can find canned pumpkin puree all year round in many places. Pumpin is a great source of vitamin A, which supports healthy eye and brain development, as well as immunity.
We like to use it to make pumpkin muffins and waffles, as well as enchilada sauce and pumpkin fudge.
5. Pitted Dates
Dates are naturally sweet and high in fiber. Stuff them with nut butter and top with chocolate chips or hemp seeds, toss them into smoothies, or blend them in a food processor for homemade pie crusts or energy balls. They can also be chopped and added to couscous or quinoa. Our date paste peanut butter cookies are also always a big hit.
If you can’t find pre-pitted dates, they’re super easy to put yourself. Gently slice them open lengthwise and remove the pit with your fingers before using.
6. Nut/Seed Butter
We opt for natural, no-added-sugar almond, peanut, or cashew butter. With school or daycare, we also like to have sunflower butter on hand as a safe nut-free option. Alternatively, make your own with raw nuts – just toss them in the blender and puree until smooth!
Slather on toast or sandwiches, serve with fresh fruit or veggies, top pancakes and waffles, add to smoothies, or enjoy them straight from the spoon.
7. Chocolate
You read that right! Many people are surprised to hear that we regularly keep sweets like chocolate around. But why not? It’s not our job as parents to restrict our children from sweet treats.
It IS our job to expose them to a wide variety of foods, including teaching them how to enjoy sweets and balance them alongside other foods.
We hope you find this plant-based pantry list helpful! Add your favorite plant-based staples to it and keep it on hand for whenever you need a kitchen food restock.
Chime In: What are some of your family’s favorite ways to use these foods?
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