Providing real food meals is totally worth the extra preparation time, but that doesn't mean every. single. item. has to be completely 100% homemade (thank goodness)! There are some decent store bought options out there, many of which only have one ingredient, and there are also plenty of food-like substances I'd recommend steering away from no matter what.
So here's a little guide to help you decide when to go that extra made-from-scratch mile...
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Salad Dressing
If you're eating a salad, it's got to be healthy, right? Well, not if you aren't paying attention to the dressing that you put on top! Store bought salad dressings are often FULL of unnecessary processed additives that you would not use at home (including high-fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils—i.e. trans fat). So my answer to this one is always to make your own. And if you don't have time, just drizzle some olive oil and balsamic vinegar over top—easy enough!
Answer: Make (recommended equipment: salad dressing bottle)
Yogurt
People frequently ask me if I make my own yogurt. Truth be told? I've never even tried it. I'm sure it tastes awesome and all, but why would I add one more thing to my to-do list when there are quite a few perfectly "clean" yogurt brands out there? I buy a 32-ounce tub of plain, organic, whole-milk yogurt almost every week at the store and just flavor it ourselves at home.
Answer: Buy
Bread
Bread is one of the trickiest real food items to find! I can tell you this: Most standard grocery store shelves are lined with highly processed versions of that pure whole wheat loaf we are all seeking. Just check the ingredients to see for yourself. And the bakery at the grocery store is usually no better. It may look like they are baking fresh bread back there (same trick as Subway), but what they are really doing is just baking some highly processed dough that was premade in a factory. So in the case of bread, either find a real bakery that is making real bread (it only takes 4 or 5 whole ingredients), or make it yourself.
Answer: Make (recommended equipment: bread maker / or find a good bakery to make it for you)
Crackers
Now there aren't a lot of whole grain cracker options out there, but there are a few—enough to get us by if need be! My favorite (ingredients wise) is ak-mak, but I do also occasionally buy knock-off Triscuits and Crunchmaster Original. It's also super easy to make your own, and if you use my recipe, it only takes 3 ingredients.
Answer: Buy or Make (depending on your mood / recommended equipment: food processor)
Applesauce
Yes, I know. Making applesauce is so easy (just throw some sliced apples in the crock pot!). But many days I already feel like I spend enough time in the kitchen, so my health food store's one ingredient organic applesauce is very tempting...and usually wins me over.
Answer: Buy (although it is easy to make)
Ice Cream
You've gotta just trust me on this one. Homemade ice cream is easy to do and deeeelicious. The consistency is just perfect, and not only can you use your sweetener of choice, but you can also control how much. I tried ice cream out of a box after a year or two of exclusively making our own, and strangely enough the only thing I could taste was the box. Plus we'll make Michael Pollan happy by "eating all the junk food you want as long as you make it yourself."
Answer: Make! (recommended equipment: ice cream maker)
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What items do you make versus buy?
Mona Cameron-Ball says
Make:
Hummus
Granola
trail mix
Muffins
Meatballs
Lara bars
Chicken stock
Refried beans
Baked Beans
Soups
Applesauce (from our trees)
Salad dressings
Orange juice
Pizza dough
Biscuits
Waffles/pancakes
Buy:
Bread & sandwich rolls (from Great Harvest)
Pita bread
Alvarado Tortillas
Crackers
Organic ketchup
Yogurt
Ice cream (I would eat it every night if I had an ice cream maker!)
Lupe says
For those of you who make bread, how long will a loaf stay fresh?
A week? A few days? Thanks in advance!
Britt says
My bread, kept in a plastic bread bag that we reuse, keeps for about 5 days. It's not as squishy as the day it came out of the oven at the end of the week, but it's still tasty. We also keep it in the fridge sometimes and that will give you another couple of days. iIf you toast the bread, it always tastes great.
Catherine says
I have a nice cream maker but I am not sold on the taste. Do you have recipes for the maker? I have the recipes that came with the maker but I don't have the time to try all of them to see which taste good. What sweetener do you recommend?
Gillian says
I use the Ben and Jerry's ice cream recipe book. The taste is great!
Georgia says
Hummus, refried beans, cauliflower crust pizza with my own homemade sauce, granola snacks, most baked goods, soups, applesauce...
Christy says
Can you share your cauliflower crust pizza recipe? That sounds amazing!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Christy. Here is the one I use: http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1016169/gluten-free-cauliflower-pizza-crust-recipe. :)
DeAnna says
I always make my own chicken stock and freeze. I use it as the 'go to' liquid for many things. Soups, rice, mashed potatoes, most things in cooking that require water, I usually use chicken stock. I never buy it anymore. About every six weeks I need to make a new batch; since I use my slow cooker it takes very little effort. The nutritional reward is excellent since I know every ingredient in it.
Katherin says
Would you mind sharing your stock recipe?
casey says
This is the one I use (Asian Method)
http://www.home-ec101.com/questions-about-making-homemade-chicken-stock/
I have also done stock in the slow cooker - dump in a bunch of bones and some veggies, a little vinegar, enough water to cover the bones and simmer on low for 8 hours or so.
Kay says
Amber F- you can make your own bread without a bread maker and just bake it in the oven, but it can be time-consuming, between the kneading, waiting for rising, and all of that. Not impossible in the least, just takes a while with the different stages. I've just gotten into making my own bread and did it myself for a while before purchasing a bread maker. Made my first machine loaf yesterday. While it was much easier, made-with-my-own hands is just as good.
Amber F says
Re: Bread.
I live in a small apartment, and a breadmaker just isn't possible for me.
For those of us without a breadmaker/"real" bakery (I live in Middle of Nowhere Texas. The only "bakery" is a Shipley's Donuts!), what do you recommend? Do you think Ezekiel Bread (from Trader Joe's) is a cleaner option? Up to now, I've been driving 2 hours to the nearest Trader Joes, stocking up on bread, and freezing it.
Stephanie says
Amber F - How close do you live to a Costco? The bread I buy there actually only has the ingredients I would use in a bread maker, its organic, and it uses sprouted wheat. I can't remember the brand (organic valley...maybe), but it's only 5.99 for 2 loaves.
Amber F says
Thanks for the tip, Stephanie! Unfortunately, I can't afford a Costco membership, and it isn't practical for me (I live alone, so it would take me decades to use up bulk items).
Ginger says
Check out the book "Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day", or a similar no-knead bread recipe. Super easy and tastes good. I used it all the time before I got my stand mixer for bread-kneading.
Amber F says
Thank you! I'll look into it. I have almost no counter space, so I can't actually knead bread...the bread would end up on the floor. :-)
Kara says
I've had a breadmaker but really it's better to just do it by hand. You can do it pretty easily in an evening...just about 3 hours. And most of that time is rising and baking. Baking bread sounds much more intimidating than it is! Do it a few times to get the rhythm of it and you'll be hooked!
Amber F says
Um. 3 HOURS? I work about 100 hours a week. Not an option for me. But I admire your spirit! Would you come live with me and make all my bread while I'm working? :-)
brit says
Don't eat bread. Problem solved. There's nothing in bread you NEED, nutritionally speaking.
Amber F says
Ha! Sorry, Brit, but I'll never give up bread. Love it. Makes life worth living. Like chocolate, perhaps no nutritional value, but necessary all the same.
casey says
I have seen recipes for break cooked in a slow cooker but haven't tried it.
Cat Rusk says
I always make our granola bars (all g with several other items) I try to always make any and all bread products, pretzels, bread, rolls, buns. I always make our juice too. During apple season make a ton of Apple juice and freeze it to have all year.
Shauna says
We have made all of these homemade at some point. the only things we truly always make ourselves are bread, ice cream, yogurt, applesauce and dressing. Crackers take so much butter and time (and you have to take them out of the over just in time so they don't burn) that its more cost effective for us to just buy a wholesome cracker. We also have a garden and freeze as much as we can as well as make our own sauce or salsa. Nothing compares to homemade on those two!
Miriam says
Lisa- Do you have a recipe for the bread? Joan J- what is your recipe for English muffins?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hello Miriam. Here is a recipe for honey whole wheat bread: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/08/17/recipe-honey-whole-wheat-sandwich-bread-for-bread-machine/. ~Amy
Gennea says
We don't actually eat anything on the list other than salad dressing and when we do, it is a mix of make and buy. We like a variety of flavors and some you have to make fresh every time (it can get daunting on a weekday). We buy organic cesar and feta dressings (with quality ingredients) and I will otherwise make the rest.
Mary Beth says
I would love to make all my own bread and bread products, but sometimes it's just not realistic time-wise. I get most of my bread products (English muffins, pizza crust, tortillas, hamburger and hot dog buns) from Trader Joe's. They're not perfect and probably wouldn't make a "real food" list, but they're ingredient lists (and prices) win over most "healthy" breads on the shelves at grocery stores. If you're in the Matthews/Mint Hill area, I also love Nova's Bakery on the corner of Idlewild and Pineville Matthews. Bonus: they sell yesterday's bread for half price! Obviously, the selection is limited, but that often makes it cheaper than standard store bread, and I don't know about you, but I keep bread for far longer than a day! Last but not least, Harris Teeter's organic wheat bread isn't a terrible choice in a pinch - you know, if you need bread for dinner tonight and don't have time for a trip to Trader Joe's or the bakery!
Melissa says
Hi Lisa,
What brand applesauce do you buy that doesn't have ascorbic acid in it?
Thanks for the post!
Cassie says
Melissa,
I too have problems finding without ascorbic acid. The HEB store brand organic does not have it (only helpful if you are in Texas though). Recently, I picked up the Go-GO squeeze (or something like that) applesauce squeeze packets for my daughter.
Good luck! It's frustrating because not all stores have all brands and not all store brands are the same.
Mary Beth says
I buy Cadia organic applesauce, the only ingredient is organic apples!
Lisa says
I shop at Earth Fare and their store brand applesauce does not have absorbic acid or any other additives in it.
Sandi says
Trader Joe's has an organic, unsweetened, 1 ingredient applesauce.
Belinda says
Would Udi's gluten free bread and Annie's cheddar bunnies be approved items to buy??
brit says
Read the ingredients list, research the ingredients, and decide if you're comfortable with putting those ingredients in your body.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Belinda. When shopping for gluten free and snack type items this post might help with scrutinizing ingredient lists: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/07/gluten-free-multi-grain-and-organic-junk-food/. ~Amy
Joan J says
I make my own: bread, English muffins, sandwich/hamburger rolls, jams and jellies, taco mix, cream of XX soup mix, bisquick mix, cornbread mix, yogurt, cream cheese and carbonated soft drinks (made with water kefir grains). Also can my own salsa, applesauce, applie pie filling, soups and many kinds of legumes. I doubt I'm remembering everything. Basically I try to use no processed foods and do everything from scratch.
Gillian says
Joan, do you have recipes for all that that you would be willing to share?
Melissa H says
I too would LOVE those recipes!
Gargi says
Joan, will you please share your recipe for whole wheat bread? I have tried making bread at home with no luck.
Amy says
This one has a horrible photo but it’s the best recipe I’ve found. I haven’t bought bread in over a year because I make this one. The key is to not add too much flour. It almost feels like it still needs more flour when I stop adding. Play with it and see what you think but it’s our favourite.
https://www.geniuskitchen.com/amp/recipe/100-whole-grain-wheat-bread-181106
Anitra says
I've started making our own yogurt (most of the time), and a side benefit is that now my kindergartener will EAT plain yogurt lightly sweetened. I think it's because the homemade yogurt is a little less tart than store-bought plain.
I haven't managed to make a good sandwich bread yet. I have a whole-wheat "quick" bread - no yeast - that my yeast-allergic brother-in-law loves, but it's really too crumbly for sandwiches. Every attempt I've made at yeast-risen whole wheat bread has been so dense as to be almost inedible. And, though I've heard the best way to learn to make good bread is to keep making bread, I just don't have the time and energy right now. So I compromise on buying bread. It's just not worth the headache to either make it or buy no-preservative loaves.
Salad dressing & applesauce - we make some, we buy some. Depends on my mood and what ingredients are readily available (ie. I'm not going to pay off-season prices for apples just to make applesauce out of them. But if I can get bruised apples for cheap, I'll make big batches.)
Lis G says
I honestly tried to get on the bread making bandwagon...my loaves always come out dense and nearly inedible (using whole wheat flour and kneading it twice), so I turned them into breadcrumbs :( I have an older model bread maker but I'm definitely feeling my lack of not taking a chemistry class in school since I cannot seem to get the knack for the correct ratios! Luckily we have an amazing local bakery (Beckmans in Santa Cruz), they have a phenomenal whole wheat sourdough with minimal ingredients.
Jaimee says
I just used this recipe a couple of nights ago. I didn't have white whole wheat flour. So I used 3c whole wheat and 3c unbleached all-purpose. For successful rising, even when though it was kind of cold, I used my oven as a proof box. That cuts down on the energy usage of ho the oven on through the prep work and rising too since I wasn't making anything else at the time.
To use your oven as a proof box, put the racks to the two lowest places and preheat oven to lowest temperature (mine is 170). In the meantime, bring some water to boil. When you're ready to put your dough in to rise, put a cookie sheet on the lower rack and pour in hot water to cover. Turn the oven off and put the bowl of dough on the higher shelf, uncovered. Let rise as usual, until it doubles in size.
http://www.fishsticksdesigns.com/blog/my-real-bread-for-real-people-recipe/
The bread came out great. It's soft and sweet, but also great for sandwiches.
Amy says
This one has a horrible photo but it’s the best recipe I’ve found. I haven’t bought bread in over a year because I make this one. The key is to not add too much flour. It almost feels like it still needs more flour when I stop adding. Play with it and see what you think but it’s our favourite.
https://www.geniuskitchen.com/amp/recipe/100-whole-grain-wheat-bread-181106
Melissa says
Are there any brands of bread at the local grocery store you would recommend? Haven't started making my own and we do not have many options for store likes Whole foods, Trader Joes, etc. If not, I guess I might have to invest in a bread maker :)
Shannon says
Melissa,
We buy Rudi's organic bread at Wegmans and it's good!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
You can usually find Ezekial bread in the frozen section of conventional grocery stores. It is a good store-bought option. :)
Marie says
I make pancake mix, chocolate syrup, spreadable butter
LeAnn @ Real Fit, Real Food Mom says
I make our bread, applesauce, berry jam (sauce), chicken broth, breadcrumbs, ice cream, and more (those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head). I have yet to make yogurt, but I am kind of interested in trying...especially after seeing what Annemarie wrote above. Maybe someday!
Annemarie (Real Food Real Deals) says
I hope you try it, LeAnn! It's super easy, and it's a great science experiment for the kiddos too. Here's my recipe with a photo tutorial if you want to try it: http://realfoodrealdeals.com/2012/06/02/homemade-yogurt/
Crystal says
Granola, granola bars, jam/jelly (low, low sugar kind, made with fruit juice and/or honey with fruit we pick ourselves) plus all you mentioned, also make all my own cleaners (don't know if this quite falls into this category, lotions (so easy!), dryer balls, & laundry soap. I have not made my own condiments as of yet, but keep thinking about it. With all the other things, plus having a life that includes 5 kids, it's hard to justify it so far!
Kim says
Hi Lisa! Have you ever seen/tried Tessemae's salad dressings? Our whole foods has just recently added it to their store.. they are honestly AMAZING. The only salad dressing that I have ever found in the store that has an ingredient list that I am okay with and without any sugars added!
PS - Love your website. I actually found you off a pinterest pin about two years ago and it opened my eyes to the world!! Thanks to you and your cute family - we have made some great changes around here and feeling much healthier! :-)
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Kim. We will have to check it out. :)
Cynthia says
One thing I buy vs make...are Lara bars. I love the homemade ones but they can be expensive to make. Also, the store bought has simple ingredients and they taste good.
Sarah says
I usually make my own granola, yogurt, bread, tortillas and occasionally dressings and condiments. Most of these I make myself to save money because the good store-bought options are more expensive and I'm always breaking my budget anyway. I do like to make applesauce during the fall but the rest of the year I usually buy because it's not that expensive. I've tried making crackers but my kids were not a fan so we've gone back to store-bought, Ak-mak or Back to Nature "triscuits."
Amy H. says
@Amy -- Another Amy here -- have you tried Smitten Kitchen's homemade Oreos recipe? They are amazing. (And none of the chemical junk in "real" Oreos.)
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2007/05/my-kingdom-for-a-glass-of-milk/
Annemarie (Real Food Real Deals) says
Don't knock homemade yogurt until you've tried it! I make a batch every week, and it takes less than 10 minutes of hands-on time. I save over $250 a year making homemade yogurt for my family of four instead of buying it. Because it's so easy and the savings are significant, this is the first item I recommend real foodies make from scratch if they're trying to trim their grocery budgets.
Michelle says
We make our own yogurt too in the crockpot and it is super easy and saves more than half what you pay at the grocery store, closer to 70%. I always use whole organic milk and stony field yogurt as my starter to get a thicker yogurt.
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html
Annemarie (Real Food Real Deals) says
I make it in the slow cooker too, Michelle. It really couldn't be easier, right?
Lindsay Bence says
My issue is gluten free bread. It is so expensive and had way too may additives but extremely difficult to make that actually taste good. Any good ideas/recipes? My two year old is allergic to gluten and dairy so he definitely complicates things.
Clare says
For delicious gluten free bread recipes try http://www.elanaspantry.com. I have made a number of her bread recipes with great success and the children prefer it to shop bought bread
heather says
What about gluten free options? Do you have any make vs buy recipes? My son gets horrible eczema when he eats gluten.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hello Heather. While some of Lisa's recipes are certainly gluten free, her family has no gluten sensitivities, so gluten free is not her focus. This blog has a series on gluten free buy vs. make: http://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/gluten-free-soft-corn-tortillas-make-it-or-buy-it-new-blog-series/ which may help. Deliciously Organic also has many gluten free options: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/. ~Amy
Amy says
Make:
-Bread
-Granola/cereal
-Jam/jelly (usually from fruits grown right at home)
-Applesauce (also from our own trees)
-Salsa
Buy (and most of these I know I could make, but haven't found a way to make them as tasty as store-bought):
-Croutons
-Tortillas
-Condiments (in general...except tarter sauce and cocktail sauce)
-Tortilla chips
-Oreos- I have yet to find a a good "homemade" oreo cookie.
Laura says
@ Connie Trowbridge. I'd love your recipe for nondairy yogurt.
Megan says
I love Great Harvest bread company! I started purchasing my weekly bread there after reading about it on your site. My husband loves it too :)
Leslie says
I just made ketchup a few days ago and it was SUPER easy and quite tasty. Who knew!!
I think homemade salad dressings are so much better tasting and do that frequently. I also make my own bread (grinding the wheat berries right then) and applesauce.
John says
If you're into baking your own bread, be sure to check out the book "Healthy Bread In Five Minutes A Day". I've been using their methods for years and absolutely love it.
http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Bread-Five-Minutes-Day/dp/0312545525/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397578131&sr=8-1&keywords=healthy+bread+in
Connie Trowbridge says
Loved this post!
Make:
-bread
-bagels
-non dairy yogurt
-raw energy balls
-almond butter
-salad dressings
-hummus
-all purpose cleaner spray
-clay toothpaste
-homemade soft scrub
Buy:
-applesauce
-sprouted tortillas
-ketchup
-almond milk
...just a few things I make/buy
Lisa says
Thanks for sharing your list...love this!
AmyU says
Of all the things you listed, yogurt is the easiest thing to make (well, unless you make bread in a bread maker of course), so to save money I make it. (it costs a gallon of milk and a tiny container of yogurt to make a gallon). We have a large family, so it's worth it. Can't wait to try the cracker recipe.
Jocelyn says
I make my own yogurt to save money as well. I eat a lot of yogurt and use it in baking and other cooking, so we always keep a half gallon on hand (just me and hubby). A half gallon of organic whole milk costs less than a quart of organic whole milk yogurt, so I double my savings every time I make it. So worth it to me! And it's so easy - just heat the milk, cool the milk, whisk in starter yogurt (I usually use a bit from my previous batch), and leave overnight in a cooler with hot water bottles. Takes me less than 10 minutes of hands-on time to make enough yogurt to last a week or two for half the price!
AmyU says
Hmmm... I've never cooked with yogurt. What do you make? Or I guess I can google it :)
Lori says
Great list! What do you use to flavor your yogurt?
Lisa says
We love to use a little pure maple syrup and vanilla extract or homemade berry sauce: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/03/recipe-berry-sauce/
Gretchen says
Oh we recently started putting peanut butter and diced up or mashed up banana and a drizzle of honey in our plain yogurt . To die for!!! Must try. The more mashed banana you add, the less honey you need.
Thoughtt I'd share!
Elizabeth says
We make our own yogurt, but mostly to cut down on plastic packaging. I think if nutrition is your main concern, as long as you find a PLAIN organic brand with no added sugars, you are find. Applesauce is so easy to make yourself that we do that too. I try to make my own bread most of the time, but when things get especially busy, I will buy from the Whole Foods bakery. We haven't ventured into ice cream making yet, but I'd love to give it a try!
Fran says
I am interested to know what you think of the Ezekiel bread as well! Heard and read great thinks about it especially if you are gluten free.
Lisa says
I agree it's a good choice (ingredient-wise)!
Ellen says
Have you found a good BBQ sauce that follows your real food rules? I made one that turned out ok, but I'd like the convenience of buying it while adjusting to making a bunch of other things (starting 10 day pledge on Monday).
Lisa says
I've got a recipe for a great "clean" BBQ sauce in my upcoming cookbook! http://amzn.to/1lwTmyw
Ellen says
Just wha I need, another reason to be impatient about your cookbook! ;)
Laura says
So excited to hear about your BBQ sauce recipe. I've tried to find a good one online but nearly EVERYTHING starts with ketchup! It drives me nuts. Looking forward to your cookbook release!
casey says
replace the ketchup with tomato paste - it usually works just might be 'blander' than normal ketchup, but i would guess in BBQ sauce it wouldn't make a difference.
Kira says
I've used Tessemae brand BBQ sauce. A bit expensive, but good and wholesome ingredients!
Annie says
Would Ezekiel bread be a good option when buying bread? I've heard great things about it!
Lisa says
Yes, Ezekiel bread is a decent option! They have a good "whole" ingredient list although it's not necessarily my favorite (flavor/texture-wise).