Plan well - Part II: The Pantry Shopping List

As strongly suggested in my earlier post 'Plan well - Part I', you need to ensure that your pantry and refrigerator is filled with detox friendly foods to be well prepared for your three week detox period. I have found that it is the 'dry goods' that represent the biggest change for most people when they start the detox. No more pasta, white rice and muesli. Instead, you will have quinoa, brown rice and gluten free cereals/porridge grains.

I therefore recommend that you start out by stocking up your pantry with detox friendly dry-goods. These will form the base of your diet over the three weeks (and many of them will hopefully last you through the full period). Some of the items may be a little tricky to source in a normal supermarket. In London I recommend Whole Foods for the items that you are not able to find in your normal supermarket. Elsewhere, specialist health food stores should have most of the items.

- Cold-milled flax seeds (I have found the Virginia Harvest brand - sold at Whole Foods in London - to be the nicest one. This is delicious with your yogurt.)
- Unsweetened soy or rice milk (almond milk is another alternative)
- ‘Pouring’ honey (easier to use on yogurt)
- Almonds or other favored nuts except peanuts (get plenty - they are an excellent snack and easy to keep with you)
- Almond butter (I have found the Meridien brand to be the most delicious - in London, this is sold at Whole Foods)
- Corn thins or rice cakes
- Precooked polenta flour
- Red quinoa
- White quinoa
- Buckwheat pasta or noodles (check the list of ingredients to make sure it is indeed 100% buckwheat - many products advertised as corn, buckwheat etc contain up to 70% wheat)
- Puy lentils (for Londoners, Waitrose calls them 'Lentils, 113')
- Herbamare (herbal salt excellent for seasoning)
- Vegetable bouillon (I really like the green 'Marigold Swiss')
- A very good olive oil
- Basil pesto (ensure that it does not contain Parmesan cheese. 'Seggiano' makes a delicious one)
- Green tea (please see my separate 'Green Tea' post)
- Herbal teas as per your preference

If you like porridge the following three ingredients are a nice mix for a delicious morning porridge (replacing normal rolled oats):
- Brown rice flakes
- Millet flakes
- Quinoa flakes
Are you however more into normal breakfast cereals the following will be good alternatives (served with either soy, rice or almond milk):
- Corn flakes (ensure they are made with 100% corn)
- Brown rice puffs
- Buckwheat flakes (again, ensure they are made with 100% buckwheat)