Detox Pantry Essentials
Prepping detox meals, while no more complex than conventional cooking, does require some planning ahead: Swapping pantry items on the no-no list for detox-friendly alternatives. The great thing is that a lot of these substitutions are just as delicious (if not more so) than their non-clean counterparts, so keep working them into the mix, detox or not. Shopping note: restricted ingredients can pop up in unexpected places (added sugars and gluten are common culprits)—soba noodles, for example, aren’t always 100% buckwheat and can include wheat.
Chia Seeds
Amazon, $11.11
Rife with nutrients and amino acids, these small-but-mighty seeds develop an almost gelatin-like coating when soaked in liquid, making them an excellent thickening agent.
Used In: Chia Pudding
Almond Milk
Califia Farms
Lactose-free and delicious, almond milk can serve as a base for just about any shake or smoothie. Buy unsweetened, or make your own.
Used In: Chia Pudding, GP’s Morning Smoothie
Coconut Oil
Artisana Organics
Great for high-heat cooking and full of healthy fats, we use coconut oil to cook all the time (detox or not). A little bit goes into GP’s morning smoothie, too.
Used In: GP’s Morning Smoothie, Surya Spa Dal
Gluten-Free Tamari
AmazonFresh, $3.99
While it’s an excellent light-on-sodium, gluten-free stand-in for traditional soy sauce, Tamari does contain small amounts of fermented soy, so avoid if you’re sensitive.
Used In: Soba Noodle Salad with Miso Dressing, Detox Hot & Sour Soup, Detox Asian Salad
Coconut Aminos
Amazon, $24.24
Another great soy- and gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, savory coconut aminos sauce is made from two simple ingredients: coconut tree sap and sea salt. It’s also raw and packed with amino acids.
Used In: Five Spice Salmon Burgers
Almond Butter
Justin’s, $13.99
Almond butter is gluten-free, vitamin-rich, and works just as well blended into smoothies and dressings as it does spread on a rice cake as a snack. Make sure to buy one with no added sugars or sweeteners.
Used In: GP’s Morning Smoothie, Soba Noodle Salad & Miso Dressing
Moon Juice Pantry & Dusts
goop, $55
These powerful supplements make wonderful additions to morning smoothies: You can tailor the Mood Dust combination according to the day’s specific needs.
Used In: GP’s Morning Smoothie
Coconut Milk
Amazon, $30.10
Coconut milk is lactose-free and particularly flavorful, which makes it a star alternative to cream.
Used In: Chickpea & Kale Curry
Cashews
Amazon, $10.01
Roasted cashews make a great snack and blending raw, soaked ones into dressings and dips lends a rich and creamy texture while still keeping things vegan.
Used In: Detox Tostada Salad
Arrowroot Powder
Amazon, $3.50
An excellent detox-approved substitute for cornstarch, Arrowroot is also lighter than flour and totally tasteless—ideal for thickening delicate soups.
Used In: Detox Hot & Sour Soup
Kimchi
wildbrine
Like all probiotic-packed fermented foods, kimchi does wonders for the gut and adds a nice kick. Just be sure to buy a version with no added sugar or shellfish.
Used In: Kimchi & Grilled Chicken Nori Wrap
Nori
Amazon, $10.49
Perfect for wraps (or casual snacking) in lieu of gluten-heavy tortillas.
Used In: Kimchi & Grilled Chicken Nori Wrap
Buckwheat Soba Noodles
Amazon, $8.45
For a 100% gluten-free alternative to pasta, be sure to purchase noodles that are all-buckwheat, as many brands mix in wheat.
Used In: Soba Noodle Salad & Miso Dressing
Brown Rice
Amazon, $3.49
Brown rice is the preferred grain accompaniment to detox dishes, mainly because it’s rich in fiber and great for stabilizing blood sugar.
Used In: Kimchi & Grilled Chicken Nori Wrap, Surya Spa Dal, Chickpea & Kale Curry
Miso
Amazon, $15.95
Mellow white miso is great in dressings and sauces but does contain small amounts of fermented soy, so skip if you have a sensitivity.
Used In: Soba Noodle Salad & Miso Dressing
Aloe Juice
Lily of the Desert
As mighty detoxifier, anti-irritant, and digestion aid, aloe juice is great on its own or blended into juices and smoothies.
Used In: Surya Spa Aloe & Coconut Smoothie
Coconut Sugar
Amazon, $5.09
This is a mild but effective sweetener that sits low on the glycemic index.
Used In: Chia Pudding, Soba Noodle Salad with Miso Dressing, Detox Asian Salad, Detox Tostada Salad with Chicken
Chinese Five Spice Powder
Amazon, $3.70
The perfectly balanced blend of star anise, cinnamon, fennel, peppercorns, and clove supplies an incredible jolt of flavor that’s particularly well suited for protein-centric dishes.
Used In: Five Spice Salmon Burgers
