Does your kitchen need a bit of a MIND Diet makeover? Below are some products I recommend stocking in your kitchen to make MIND Diet cooking a breeze. This list is by no means exhaustive, but these are the items I reach for to make my family brain-boosting food on a daily and weekly basis. As you continue to explore brain-healthy cooking, your MIND Diet kitchen will become unique to you.
You do not have to go out and buy everything on this list all at once. In fact, that would be quite overwhelming! I recommend starting with the oils. You can use extra virgin olive oil for cold applications and low- to medium-heat cooking. Avocado oil is great for medium- to high-heat cooking, and anywhere you need a neutral flavor, such as baking. Basically, you can use avocado oil anywhere you would use canola/vegetable oil. After you replace your oils, find a few easy swaps you can make based on what you already eat, and go from there.
Buying in bulk will often save you money (but not always, be sure to do the math!) and will give you plenty to keep on hand. Having the MIND Diet essentials at your fingertips is the easiest way to stay on track.
The MIND Diet Kitchen Pantry
Oils
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Cold-pressed avocado oil
- 100% pure avocado oil spray
Whole grains
- Farro (note: contains gluten)
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Whole grain bread
- Rice
- Brown rice
- Wild rice
- Whole wheat products
- Whole wheat panko bread crumbs
- Whole wheat flour
- White whole wheat flour
- Whole wheat pasta
Dried legumes
- Chickpeas
- Black beans
- Kidney beans
- Red lentils
Beverages
- Coffee
- Tea
- Black tea
- Green tea
- Herbal tea
Canned items
- Canned tomatoes
- Crushed
- Whole peeled
- Diced
- Paste
- Canned beans
- Black
- Cannellini
- Pinto
- Chickpeas
- Tinned seafood
- Tuna in olive oil
- Mussels in olive oil
- Sardines in olive oil
- Broths
- Vegetable
- Chicken
Nuts and seeds
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Sunflower seeds
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Tahini
- All-natural/stirrable nut butters
- Almond butter
- Peanut butter
Room temp produce
- Onions
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Bananas
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Tomatoes
Vinegars
- Balsamic
- Red wine vinegar
- White wine vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar
The MIND Diet Refrigerator
Veggies
- Leafy Greens
- Spinach
- Kale
- Swiss chard
- Lettuces
- Arugula
- Cruciferous veggies
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Colorful veggies
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Beets
- Celery
- Sugar snap peas
- Snow peas
- Squash
- Zucchini
- Green beans
- Cucumbers
- Mushrooms
Miscellaneous
- Hummus
- Eggs
- Tofu
- Olives (Kalamata, green, etc.)
- White miso paste
- Harissa paste
- Capers
- 100% pure maple syrup
- Whole grain mustard
- Mayonnaise (olive oil, avocado oil, or vegan)
Fruits
- Berries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Apples
- Citrus
- Limes
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Melons
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Avocado
Dairy products
- Low- or non-fat or plant-based milk
- Low- or non-fat or plant-based yogurt
The MIND Diet Freezer
Frozen veggies
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Peas
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Green beans
Frozen fruit
- Blueberries
- Mixed berries/triple berries
- Cherries
- Strawberries
- Mango
Meat and seafood
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Cod or other white fish
- Mussels
- Chicken
- Boneless skinless breasts
- Boneless skinless thighs
- 93% ground chicken
- 93% ground turkey
- Pork tenderloin
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. I only recommend products I use for myself and my family.
