Finding pantry items in-line with your fasting lifestyle can get a little dicey because you have to enter the middle-aisle territory of your grocery store. (When searching for healthy proteins and produce, you can stick to the old nutritional tenet of “stay out of the center aisles and stick to the perimeter of the store.”)
The following list eases your shopping anxiety. Everything on this list is nutritious and delicious. Using these flavor enhancers can give your foods great flavor without any added junk. Furthermore, all are gluten free, grain free, dairy free, soy free, legume free, and processed free (just not free; you do have to buy them).
Arrowroot powder: Substitute for flour and cornstarch to thicken soups, stews, and sauces.
Pickles: Examine labels for added sugar and chemical ingredients, and then enjoy pickles whenever you want a tart bite.
Broth/stock: Review labels for soy and hidden sugars; use in place of water or wine in sauces, soups, stews, and sautés.
Tomato paste: Use to add depth of flavor to sauces, soups, and stews.
Canned tomatoes: Make your own quick marinara sauce or add to soups and stews for a savory touch and extra veggies.
Curry paste: Examine labels for soy and added sugar. These pastes are great to have on hand to make a quick meal with coconut milk, protein, and veggies.
Canned chiles: Mild green, jalapeño, or chipotle chile peppers add zing to everyday ingredients. Examine labels for preservatives.
Jarred salsas: Salsas are great for adding flavor. Examine labels for chemical preservatives, sugar, corn, and wheat.