Build a Wellness-Focused Pantry With These Editor-Approved Essentials
But here's where it gets controversial... While some may argue that wellness trends are just a passing fad, the fact remains that many people are increasingly prioritizing their health and well-being. However, with so many wellness products on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That's where our editors come in, with their expert recommendations to help you build a wellness-focused pantry that supports your health goals.
Drinks
When it comes to beverages, we've curated a list of standouts that are packed with nutrients and flavor. From matcha to protein-rich coffee alternatives, these drinks are perfect for revving up your morning or reviving an afternoon slump.
Matcha
Matcha is a great option for those looking to start their day with a boost of antioxidants and L-theanine, an amino acid that provides sustained energy without the jitters. Our editors recommend Rocky's Matcha Oishi Ceremonial Blend for its smooth, rich flavor and virtually no bitterness.
Functional Coffee Alternatives
For a functional boost in your morning coffee, consider Atlas's supplemented instant coffee, Atlas+ Latte Superblend. This coffee is creamy and cocoa-like, with about half the caffeine of a regular cup. Our senior commerce editor, Noah Kaufman, found himself awake but not jittery after drinking it for a couple of weeks.
Protein-Rich Drinks
Protein is another powerful way to keep your energy sustained throughout the day. The latest innovation in this category means many are now formulated as grab-and-go protein shakes, making them convenient for your in-and-out of the gym activities. Be sure to check out Fairlife Core Power Elite with an impressive 42 grams of protein and Rebbl Protein Shakes, made vegan with coconut milk and up to 36 grams of protein.
Healthy Snacks
Stock your pantry with a variety of better-for-you snacks that nourish. Protein bars are easy to stash in a pocket or backpack, ideal to reach for as post-workout fuel or when you're feeling hangry and want something to fill you up.
Protein Bars
Some of our taste test-approved bars are from RXBAR, made from egg whites, dates, and nuts that pack in 12 to 18 grams of protein per bar in appealing recipes like chocolate sea salt, peanut butter, and blueberry. Plant-based Aloha bars are loaded with 10 grams of fiber and an impressive 14 grams of protein in flavors that sound decidedly decadent: pumpkin spice, banana bread, and oatmeal chocolate chip.
Jerky
For a non-bar protein option, stock up on some form of jerky. Chomps, for instance, is made from grass-fed and finished beef, delivering 10 grams of satisfying protein and zero sugar. The company makes several flavors in beef, venison, and turkey recipes—taco-seasoned, jalapeño, habanero, and smoky barbecue—giving you a big bang of flavor.
Meal & Grocery Delivery
Cooking elaborate healthy meals is one of those aspirational goals that lives in a world where time is infinite. Sadly, time is quite finite, which is where meal and grocery delivery services come in. The best ones make cooking healthy meals seamless, stress-free, and fun without time-consuming menu planning and multiple trips to the grocery store.
Meal Kits
Looking for healthy meal kits? Sakara is the best option for health heads with allergies and sensitivities. It specializes in plant-based, gluten-free prepared meals that prioritize nutrient-rich foods. Purple Carrot is another terrific option offering chef-crafted, globally inspired plant-based meals—peanut tofu ramen, tacos dorados, and Korean fried 'chicken'—delivered weekly.
Grocery Delivery
When it comes to healthy grocery shopping, Thrive Market is an oasis for online shoppers searching for a one-stop marketplace that offers truly anything and everything you need to launch your inner wellness warrior—healthy snacks, probiotic sodas, farm-fresh produce, pastured meats, and more. Hungryroot is a grocery delivery service meal kit hybrid that makes it much easier for you to cook healthy meals at home.
Pantry Staples
A well-stocked pantry is key to wellness planning. You'll want a low-lift array of quick and easy products—boxed, canned, tinned, what have you—to turn into a healthy meal or nourishing snack, saving you from a greasy night of takeout or the effort of a full-blown meal.
Breakfast
Start with breakfast. We tested a dozen varieties of protein cereal and loved Magic Spoon, which packs 14 grams of protein into every bite. High-protein mac and cheese like Goodles is both nutritious and delicious. Made from wheat flour, chickpea protein, and wheat protein plus vitamins extracted from veggies, it's a BA team favorite and a great blank canvas for a fast weeknight meal.
Meal Starters
For meal starters, we recommend basics like high-protein pasta, beans, bone broth, and tinned fish. Epic Foods' Chicken Bone Broth adds next-level richness to ramen or noodles thanks to a gelatin-rich base that's almost creamy. Fishwife's tinned smoked fish is a game-changer for salads, sandwiches, or snacking straight from the tin.
Supplements
Stroll down the supplement aisle in your local Whole Foods, and it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of gummies, powders, and potions promising to change your life in a scoop or two. There's a lot of noise to cut through in this space.
Greens Powders
Let's start with greens powders. They all make some different specific claims, but the idea is that they're a concentrated source of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and in some cases pre- and/or probiotics. It's getting you this high dose of superfoods in a small package.
Gummies
Looking for a gummy to deliver nutrition? Grüns Super Greens Gummies are vitamin-rich and made from fruits and vegetables like kale, spinach, spirulina, and strawberries. Each eight-gummy pack contains 100% of your daily recommended value of vitamins A, C, D, and E, folate, biotin, and doses of iron, zinc, and other nutrients.
Protein Powders
Protein is an essential nutrient that plays a number of important roles in the body, including supporting muscle growth and maintenance and aiding in recovery after exercise. Our favorite protein powders are Factor Form and Thorne Whey Protein Powder. Looking for a vegan powder? Try Form Pureblend Protein, made with a mix of pea, brown rice, and pumpkin protein.
Electrolyte Powders
Finally, hydration and balance are important, particularly for those of us who like to have a good sweaty workout. Electrolyte powders help with the fluid balance in our bodies, replacing lost sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride, making sure your body stays in sync after a strenuous workout. If you’re a longtime Gatorade devotee looking for an alternative, the doctor-developed electrolyte packets from DripDrop should be in your arsenal.
