Building a Lean & Healthy Store Cupboard From Scratch

Nutrition5 min read

A well-stocked cupboard is the quiet secret behind people who "always seem to cook from scratch". Build the base once and weeknight dinners get a lot easier.

Glass jars of beans, lentils, and uncooked rice on a wooden table with warm lighting.

The healthy foundations

Start with the versatile basics that form the backbone of most simple meals: oats for breakfasts, a couple of grains like rice for dinners, and a source of plant protein such as textured soya or dried pulses. These keep for months and stretch across countless dishes.

Flavour and finishing

A cupboard of plain staples is only half the story - it’s the flavour-makers that turn them into meals you’ll want to eat. Nut butters, a good oil, and a small collection of spices do most of the heavy lifting.

  • Oats and a grain or two (rice, quinoa)
  • A plant protein - pulses, beans or textured soya
  • Nut butter or peanut butter powder
  • An everyday oil and a handful of go-to spices

Build it up gradually

You don’t need to buy everything at once. Add a couple of staples to each shop and within a month you’ll have a cupboard that can turn out a healthy meal on a busy night without a special trip to the shops.

Pair it with our recipe hub and you’ll rarely be stuck for ideas.

Shop the essentials

The healthy foundations, in one place.

Organic Jumbo Oats - Stock & Prep - 1kg
Whole Food Earth® Organic Jumbo Oats - Stock & Prep - 1kg £2.88
Black Wild Rice USA
Whole Food Earth® Black Wild Rice USA £10.68
PBfit Peanut Butter Powder - 425g
British Grocery PBfit Peanut Butter Powder - 425g £10.05
TVP Dark Textured Soya Protein Mince
Whole Food Earth® TVP Dark Textured Soya Protein Mince £4.49