Stocking a Runner’s Pantry: Healthy, Quick and Nutrition Packed

It’s that moment you return from vacation, open the fridge to find mustard, pickles and a bag of wilted spinach you forgot to toss. But your stomach is screaming and you gotta eat…pantry time!!!

Emptying out all our food during the move gave me the perfect opportunity to restock and share with you what I love having on hand and why!

Last week I shared the keys that have helped me to maintain my weight loss easily for many years. One that I didn’t mention was convenience! Unfortunately as we all moved towards focusing on whole foods, we lumped every packaged food into the category of unhealthy or too processed. Many of them are exactly the right food for runners to stay fueled and ready to go!

Have some fun with my goofy chatter about my fav’s and then share yours below!

KIND Bars
Not only do I love the originals (did you know their chocolate covered bars are now dairy free), but the new Pressed bars rock. I love taking green smoothies with me on our trail days…but after sitting in the car for hours they aren’t always so tasty. A pressed bar is basically the pulp left over from green juice!

Chef ‘s Cut Jerky
I’ve talked a lot about my need to get in more protein both for muscle maintenance and fat loss, but I’m focused QUALITY over quantity. This jerky is delicious, high quality and of course another great snack on the trails or the plane. No nitrates, no weird added things, creative flavors, gluten free and mmmm mmm smoked to perfection.

Vega Sport Line
When I went dairy free, Vega was one of the first proteins I tried. I’ve been totally honest that the original Greens was a bit much for  me, but I’ve been a huge fan of the Sport line from day one. If you look at many protein powders the ingredient list is terrifying. I’m looking for foods my body will recognize and be able to use!! Also as mentioned in the video checkout rhodiola one of the awesome ingredients in the pre-workout supplement.

What foods should you have in your pantry to fuel your training? Healthy packaged food options! #eatwell Click To Tweet

Binnie’s Coconut Butter
OH MY heavens, how have I only just discovered this?! I found Binnie’s at a local farmer’s market and it was love at first bite. Such a great way to get in healthy fat, which has been good for also getting me to eat a little less nut butter! And special note, did you know you SHOULDN’T put it in the fridge! Nope keep your coconut oils and butters in the pantry, they’ll stay good for at least a year.

Once Again Nut Butter
Nut butters should be made of basically one thing…nuts. But that’s not the case for MOST of those on the shelf!! Hence my love of all things OANB. Lately I’ve been mixing up my routine by using a lot more tahini and sunflower butter! After visiting Israel I was also reminded of all the great ways to use tahini!! In fact, here is one of my new favorites…the Whole Foods vegan cookie copycat recipe.

It’s super important to rotate foods to avoid creating food intolerances.

Safe Catch Tuna
Sometimes it’s just as much about what’s NOT in your food as what is in it! This particular brand goes above and beyond to ensure you’re getting mercury free fish and they aren’t doing any harm. I love this protein packed food for another lazy health eaters go to meal – tuna, veggies, mustard!

Love Grown Foods
Finding gluten free oats and cereal was huge to reshaping my mornings! I had largely stopped eating both, but oh how I adore breakfast all day long…and yet I can’t have dairy or eggs. Breakfast was becoming a sad state of affairs!!! In fact, one of the coolest things about their cereal is it’s made all from chickpeas/beans!!Cheerios
Adding to my morning (ok fine all day) happiness, Cheerios and Rice Chex are totally gluten free now! AND many athletes who go gluten free many not realize they could be missing out on certain nutrients found in whole grains, which is why fortified cereals can be a great addition to the diet.

PurAthlete Regenerate
More details to come on this next week, but it’s great for preventing muscle cramps and recovery due to the magnesium. I have talked all about the importance of magnesium for athletes, so check that out and make sure some is in your pantry!

Clif Bars
David seems partial to these softer bars which are dense with calories and perfect for his mountain biking. I’m good with the clean ingredients, so they are always in stock!

Planters Peanuts
Whether in a trail mix or by themselves, I love the light salt for replenishing, the protein and of course the taste. These for me are another perfect post run munch while we’re driving home where I can dig in to a full meal!

A few other things that tend to always be on hand:

• Plantain chips
• Hot tea
• Black bean noodles
• Broth
• Canned veggies

Let’s be honest, there’s also a cabinet filled with what I call “his food”. I’m not showing you that because I don’t want to know it’s there so that I don’t eat the cookies, chips and whatnot filling it!

I’ll be sharing the fridge and other healthy home products coming up!

What do you always have in your pantry?

Do you have a “his food” cabinet?

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** This is not a sponsored post. I have worked with theses brands over the years and received free product.