Preparation

Go ahead and read the “Guidelines” document first, if you haven’t already. These are the first “prep” stages you need to consider, at least physically. But let’s talk about how you can prep your space and pantry to better set you up for success.

Having a well-stocked pantry can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, and it’ll be especially helpful during this gut intensive. It’ll make it far easier for you to whip up nutritious meals and snacks without having to constantly run to the grocery store. But how do you go about prepping your pantry for our next two critical weeks (and in general)? Here are some steps to take:

Clear out the junk

The first step in prepping your pantry for healthy eating is to get rid of any junk food or highly processed snacks that might tempt you to make unhealthy choices. This includes items like chips, candy, and sugary cereals. Donate unopened items to a local food bank and toss anything that's expired or opened.

Stock up on whole foods

You’ll be receiving your official grocery list from me soon, but in the meantime, once you've cleared out the junk, it's time to stock up on healthy options. Fill your pantry with whole foods like whole grains, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, and canned or frozen fruits and vegetables. These items are versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes.

Choose healthy oils and fats

Not all oils and fats are created equal. Swap out unhealthy options like vegetable oil and margarine for healthier choices like olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. Also, stock up on healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocado.

Organize

An organized pantry can make healthy eating much easier. Start by emptying the shelves of your pantry, wipe them down well, and reorganize so that grains are together, beans/legumes are together, spices are together, etc. (helpful tip: put the lesser used items on the lower shelves, keeping the things you most use at eye level) Group items together by category and label everything clearly. This makes it easier to see what you have on hand and plan meals accordingly. Try buying large mason jars with lids for your grains and nuts, for instance. This will keep your dry ingredients fresh for longer periods of time!