Plant foods

Plant-Based Grocery List

plant foods

Written by Iron Vegan

A healthy plant-based diet is centered around eating whole plant-based foods. It should contain a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains. Foods like nuts, seeds, legumes, soy products, and nutritional yeast are all great sources of protein. Avocadoes, coconut oil, and olive oil are nutritious choices for healthy fats. Fruits, veggies, and whole grains will account for your clean carbohydrates.
 
Below is a sample shopping list to help get you started!

For any packaged or canned foods, look closely at the ingredient list and always opt for the all-natural, preservative free option.  Most supermarkets and grocery stores will carry a variety of wholesome plant-based foods, especially in the produce and natural section, but you may need to make a trip to your local health food store for the best selection.

Plant-Based Grocery List

  • Vegetables: asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, green beans, kale, onions, sweet potatoes, spinach, squash, tomatoes, zucchini
  • Fruits: avocadoes, apples, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, grapefruit, lemons, limes, kiwis, oranges, peaches, pears, pomegranates, strawberries, mangoes, watermelon
  • Frozen produce: many of the above veggies + fruits can be purchased frozen instead. Frozen fruit and veggies make excellent additions to smoothies, and they last for months in the freezer
  • Non-dairy milk: almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, oat milk, rice milk (opt for the unsweetened version)
  • Nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, pecans
  • Nut Butters: Almond butter, cashew butter, pumpkin seed butter, sunflower seed butter, peanut butter (ensure that there are no additives, i.e., that it’s 100% natural nut butter)
  • Seeds and seed butter: chia, sunflower, pumpkin, hemp, flax, sesame, poppy, sesame paste (tahini)
  • Soy: tempeh, tofu (opt for organic non-GMO soy products whenever possible)
  • Oils: coconut, olive, sesame, and grapeseed will be the healthiest choices (use coconut oil when cooking, as it remains stable at high heat)
  • Whole grains: quinoa, rolled oats, millet, amaranth, brown rice
  • Flours: almond, coconut, quinoa, millet, brown rice flour, all-purpose gluten-free flour
  • Condiments: apple cider vinegar, tamari (gluten-free soy sauce), rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, mustard
  • Fermented foods: kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha
  • Dried/canned beans: black beans, chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, white beans
  • Dried goods: rice paper, rice/konjac noodles, dehydrated fruit, rice, cacao nibs, sea veggies (dulse, wakame, nori), coconut flakes
  • Other: coconut cream, pumpkin puree, dark chocolate, crackers, cocoa powder
  • Spices: cinnamon, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, ground ginger, paprika, basil, black pepper, rosemary, thyme, turmeric, sea salt

Protein:
Other than protein powder, ensure you consume a wide range of the following foods that are high in protein. Some examples are: 

  • Nuts: almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts
  • Seeds: chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds
  • Legumes: black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, navy beans, pinto beans
  • Non-GMO organic soy products: tempeh, tofu                                       

Kitchen Appliances and Gadgets to Consider

When it comes to preparing your meals, there are some kitchen appliances and gadgets that can certainly help make the transition to plant-based eating easier and more exciting. In order of versatility and importance:

  • High-speed blender: this will be your go-to for smoothies, soups, dressings and even pancake batters
  • Food processor: comes in handy for homemade dips and sauces, nut butters, energy bites
  • Mixer: great for making batters, like muffin, brownie, cake or cookie batter
  • Spiralizer: a simple and relatively inexpensive tool in the kitchen that will transform your veggies into raw spiral noodles (or even to cut fruit into beautiful spirals, as well)

You may already be well stocked with a fridge or pantry full of based-based ingredients, so simply use this as a guide and build on what you already have. Happy plant-based cooking and baking!

More Reading

View all
Your Guide to Sugar

Your Guide to Sugar

Understanding the differences between naturally occurring and added sugars, and how they affect our bodies, is essential for making healthier dietary choices. By reading food labels carefully and c...

Plant-based eatingSay Goodbye to Bloating: Why Sprouted Protein is the Solution You Need

Say Goodbye to Bloating: Why Sprouted Protein is the Solution You Need

Individuals who experience bloating and digestive discomfort when consuming traditional plant-based protein sources should opt for sprouted plant-based proteins.

What to Look For on a Protein Powder Label

What to Look For on a Protein Powder Label

Whether you're a seasoned gym-goer, or someone simply looking to add a nutritional boost to your diet, understanding the language of protein powder labels is crucial. So, grab your shaker bottle, a...