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Home » How to Start » Real Food Tips

Real Food Tips: 8 Staples I Can't Live Without

If we run out of any of the following ingredients, I basically freak out and wonder how I'll function. Ha ha! And don't think I'm exaggerating here! What's on your list of die hard real food staples that you just can't imagine living without?

8 Real Food Staples I Can't Live Without on 100 Days of #RealFood

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  1. Milk
    I mostly use milk for one meal of the day, but it's often touted as the most important one - breakfast! And I don't know how to function without my morning bowl of homemade granola cereal with fresh berries (and milk, of course).
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  2. Eggs
    Eggs are the base for so many homemade baked goods and the perfect staple to come to the rescue when you don't know what to eat! It's hard to beat how quick and easy (and filling) scrambled eggs are any time of day. To kick things up a notch, be sure to puree them with some leafy greens first.
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  3. Butter
    At any given time, you'll catch me with approximately 24 sticks of butter in my freezer. I could never make my granola or quickly fry up those eggs without it. Or cook a plethora of other easy dishes in my repertoire. :)
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  4. Whole-Wheat Flour
    Ditching the processed stuff means cooking from scratch is the way to go, and it's hard to make muffins, tortillas, waffles, pancakes, or even cookies for a treat without flour!
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  5. Oats
    My daughter's recent growth spurt has made me be extra sure I always have oats on hand. She'll eat a variety of snacks whenever she's hungry, but her favorite is overnight oats. And when I don't feel like helping her prepare something else, I love having these ready-to-go in the fridge.
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  6. Raw Nuts
    Nuts are both a filling and portable snack, and let's not forget, they're quite important when it comes to making my beloved granola I keep talking about! Seriously though, you can add nuts to so many recipes or just throw them in the lunch box with a dried fruit mix when you don't know what else to pack. It happens to the best of us. :)
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  7. Honey and/or Pure Maple Syrup
    Even though I'm a die hard real foodie (who ditched sugar a while back), I still can't stomach plain yogurt, coffee, or homemade treats without a little something sweet added. So I'm always happy to have these more natural sweeteners on hand (to be used in moderation, of course).
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  8. Dry Pasta
    When you don't know what's for dinner, pasta can literally save the day. It's filling enough to make up for your lack of planning and also versatile enough that you can add just about anything to it, including veggies, meat, herbs, or store-bought organic tomato sauce.

How does my list compare to yours? Please share in the comments! :)

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4.0K shares

About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. SueAnn Chandler says

    January 16, 2019 at 5:37 pm

    I am confused about the whole wheat bread. I know Lisa says it’s okay if it’s 100% whole wheat, but most studies I’ve read say stay away from any wheat or corn products. It’s all on the way they’re processed. We try to only eat things with almond flour.

    Reply
    • 100 Days Admin says

      January 17, 2019 at 11:56 am

      If it's 100% whole-wheat, then it falls into Lisa's rules. While yes, bread can be highly processed, you just need to make sure you read the ingredients and know what to look for. - Nicole

      Reply
  2. Lindsay Untherbergus says

    March 08, 2018 at 4:07 pm

    You'll never find me without apples, almond butter, whole-wheat bread, popcorn, grapes, broccoli, carrots, or canned beans/chickpeas!

    Reply
  3. Nanda says

    February 08, 2018 at 8:19 am

    And homemade stock. I realise I am fortunate to have such a thing. Time to make it and resources to get good quality ingredients.

    Reply
  4. Nanda says

    February 08, 2018 at 8:10 am

    Dried fruits

    Reply
  5. Carol Sama says

    November 26, 2017 at 10:55 am

    Fresh lettuce as we have salad every day, home canned tomatoes for soups, stews and over pasta, and a variety of cheeses.

    Reply
  6. Foody says

    December 20, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    I applaud cutting out processed foods. But, if I didn't know better I would say your being subsidized by the dairy industry. Your next step should be to research the Best foods to give your family their daily nutritional needs. You need to question everything. Follow the money, and you'll see that many foods you listed are only supported by dairy industry subsidized studies. Not independent double blind studies.

    Reply
    • Shannon says

      March 11, 2017 at 12:09 am

      Thank you, I completely agree and had posted a similar response but it wasn't published. I listed several studies hoping for an educated answer since she is so well read on nutrition. I have been searching for a decent argument on why anyone would continue to consume dairy and eggs after researching the industry as a whole.

      Reply
  7. Mairi Clare says

    December 19, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    We are vegan and gluten-free; my son is dairy intolerant and my daughter gluten-intolerant. My staples are soy milk/almond milk, virgin coconut oil (frozen, it's a great substitute for butter/shortening), vegan spread, peanut butter, flaxseed, manuka honey, gluten-free flours and spinach/kale

    Reply
  8. Mike says

    August 05, 2016 at 10:13 am

    I only use milk for recipes, and we discovered fresh egg pasta instead of dry tastes so much better than dry.. also almond and peanut butter are a must have on our list. We also keep everything else on Lisa's list. Lol I don't know if I would freak out if i didnt have one of these things though :-)

    Reply
  9. Val Provenzano says

    February 22, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    i have a question about a butter substitute. I am in a wellness group and one of the girls freaked out about the butter in a recipe. Is there a suitable substitute for butter. I personally like it and use it because its real food. But what can i say to her to convince her that she is not going to suffer from using butter??

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      February 24, 2016 at 10:14 am

      Hi there. Coconut oil is a suitable sub but there are many articles and research available now that might help. Here is just one: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/24/opinion/the-trans-fats-that-wont-leave.html?_r=0.

      Reply
  10. Sara says

    February 12, 2016 at 2:41 pm

    Whole wheat bread, peanut butter, eggs, milk, oats and nuts.

    Reply
  11. Kathy says

    January 29, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    How do you feel about coconut sugar?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      February 01, 2016 at 9:35 am

      Hi Kathy. Lisa does not use coconut sugar. She sticks with honey and maple syrup except for the rare occasion when she uses granulated. I, personally, use coconut sugar when I use sugar which is limited to a bit in my morning coffee and the occasional sweetening of something else. :)

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        February 01, 2016 at 7:56 pm

        Thanks Amy. Does anyone else have any research to support honey vs cocnut sugar?

      • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

        February 03, 2016 at 9:59 am

        Hello again. Lisa would say that sugar is sugar as a general rule but that honey and maple are closer to its most natural form. I choose coconut sugar because it is less sweet and seems to have less impact on my blood sugar.

  12. Renee Hogan says

    January 23, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Pretty much the same except wheat berries instead of whole wheat - do you not grind your own? To keep it shelf stable, they have to remove 26 vitimins and minerals after it's been ground but the berries last forever - it rarely takes any extra time to grind because I grind while I get all the other ingredients out. It's done by the time I want the flour.

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      January 28, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      Hi Renee. Lisa does grind her own sometimes: We do not post nutrition info on our recipes. This post helps explain why: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/04/healthy-eating-defined/.

      Reply
  13. Amy L says

    January 08, 2016 at 1:17 am

    My 8 real-food staples are milk, steel-cut oats, fresh Bartlett pears, frozen wild blueberries, peanut butter (nothing but peanuts and salt), 100% whole wheat bread, raw shelled walnuts, and for snack attacks, 72% cacao chocolate bars that I get from Trader Joe's. For some reason I can eat just 3 squares (165 calories worth) of one of those dark chocolate bars and be satisfied for the day. But if I eat sugary, "regular" chocolate it sets off a craving and I just want more.

    Reply
  14. prinsas says

    December 07, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    I keep a stock of frozen veggies and fruit. Also, dried cranberries, cherries and apricots. I can make a whole lot of stuff in combination with what you have on your survival list with them.

    Reply
  15. Linda Allison says

    December 04, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    How does this diet work if you are lactose intolerant? I use Almond milk in my tea, but don't think you can cook with it, to make the oatmeal.

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      December 07, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      Hi Linda. I use almond or coconut milk in almost all my cooking. It won't work in every recipe but it does for many.

      Reply
  16. Ashley Garner says

    August 23, 2015 at 12:29 am

    I think your list is identical to my own list of must have foods but I also need fresh fruit. Since I homeschool six kids being able to offer apple slices or a tangerine when I'm pressed for time is a life saver. Also keeps the kids craving something less healthy.

    Reply
  17. Carrie says

    July 31, 2015 at 8:26 am

    Yep. And my daughter was just put on an elimination diet....removing dairy, wheat, eggs, beef, and pork.

    It makes my head hurt, but it's cured HER chronic headache....

    Reply
  18. Rinny says

    July 29, 2015 at 9:55 am

    What kind/brand of pasta do you use?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      July 31, 2015 at 9:48 am

      Hi Rinney. Various brands. What matters is the ingredient list. Pasta should be 100% whole grain. Lisa usually uses whole wheat pastas.

      Reply
  19. Gabrielle says

    July 28, 2015 at 3:58 am

    Peanut butter! We use Pic's Peanut Butter - just peanuts and salt. It goes on apple slices, toast (of course), and every morning it goes on top of my daughter's porridge =) I start to get panicky if I don't have at least 3 jars on hand.

    Reply
  20. Harpreet Hans says

    July 28, 2015 at 12:15 am

    Eggs, bread, avocado, frozen berries, frozen veggies, tortillas, and milk :)

    Lisa, since you bake a lot and must have lots of flour handy, what do you store it in? Battling mealy moths and read your article on that but couldn't figure out your flour storage.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      July 30, 2015 at 8:18 pm

      Harpreet, in other areas she states her family stores their flour in the freezer. This prevents pest from getting to it, as well as spoilage. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  21. Jen says

    July 27, 2015 at 9:42 pm

    If you buy/get fresh eggs, you don't have to refrigerate them; but don't wash them. Keeping the membrane on the eggs helps them keep longer.
    "The coating is like a little safety vest for the egg, keeping water and oxygen in and bad bacteria out. Washing can damage that layer and "increase the chances for bacterial invasion" into pores or hairline cracks in the shell, according to Yi Chen, a food scientist at Purdue University. So we spray eggs with oil to prevent bacteria from getting in, and refrigerate them to keep microorganisms at bay
    Fresh eggs are the best!!! Get them if you can!
    http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/09/11/336330502/why-the-u-s-chills-its-eggs-and-most-of-the-world-doesnt

    Reply
    • Tiana says

      July 28, 2015 at 10:58 am

      I concur Jen that you can leave farm fresh eggs out. However, we wash them and then put a light coating of mineral oil on them which seals the pores of the shell to keep them fresh. My family goes through eggs fast but I have a family member that does this too and claims that she tested a dozen eggs with the oil to see how well they "keep." She cracked one egg a month from this dozen and by month 6, the eggs she coated were still good! Of course, you want to store them in a climate-controlled setting and not in the heat.

      Reply
  22. Emily says

    May 27, 2015 at 11:18 am

    What brand of butter do you recommend? I'm looking for a healthier alternative. What should I look for when buying organic butter? things to stay away from?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      May 31, 2015 at 11:07 am

      Hi Emily. Look for grass-fed butter or ghee. Here is more information: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/14/mini-pledge-week-10-no-refined-oils/.

      Reply
  23. Melissa says

    May 23, 2015 at 10:45 am

    Those are my basics as well and I also start to panic a little when I realize I am out lol.

    Reply
  24. Roma says

    May 22, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    Your list plus beans and canned tomatoes, basic herbs and spices. Also pasta flour as I make all our pastas from scratch. Half pasta flour and half whole wheat flour. All whole wheat doesn't work very well for homemade.

    Reply
  25. Heidi says

    May 07, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    Dried beans- especially kidney beans. I make Lisa's crock pot refried beans at least once a week- sometimes twice. Healthy, filling and oh-so-easy!

    Reply
  26. Toni says

    May 03, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    I must have sprouted grain bread, eggs, coconut oil, butter & raw honey & spices.

    Reply
  27. Janine says

    April 24, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    Instead of dry pasta, you should try homemade; it's super simple. It's just 300 grams of extra-fine flour and 3 eggs mixed together. Good to wrap in plastic and let rest for 15-30 minutes, but don't have to. Then roll out with rolling pin or wine bottle, cut, put in boiling water for a couple minutes and that's it, you're done.

    Reply
  28. Suzanne says

    April 21, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    Salt, pepper, and olive oil are at the top of my must have list...and a lemon.

    I love that you are inspiring people to embrace real food. Fast food is neither cheap nor convenient in the big picture of health and happiness.

    Reply
  29. Michelle says

    April 16, 2015 at 9:13 am

    Do you buy organic dairy products?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      April 21, 2015 at 8:53 am

      Hi Michelle. Yes.

      Reply
  30. Mppaul says

    April 14, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    Always keep beans, cucumbers, salsa, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, sardines, vinegar, pasta and brown rice.

    Reply
  31. Beth says

    April 14, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    I always have some canned diced tomatoes on hand. Easy to use to make pizza sauce, marinara sauce, chili, soups, so easy!

    Reply
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