One of the hardest parts of adopting a new lifestyle is finding the budget to restock your pantry. Getting rid of your old pantry items and buying all new ones means financial commitment and long term commitment. And that’s scary.

I hung on to a box of cornmeal for two years, just in case. 

I would like to help make it easier for you to restock your pantry with the right things. I’ll start by providing a full pantry checklist of ingredients that will replace the old stuff. This is quite an extensive list–a lot of the most-used condiments and baking ingredients are non-compliant (at least mine were).

Seeing the full list can be overwhelming, but restocking your pantry doesn’t have to happen overnight. It’s OK to ease into it. It also doesn’t have to cost an entire week’s paycheck; you can do it online for up to half off grocery store prices. When it comes to putting the right things into your body, the investment is always worth it. I’m going to show you how the initial investment can be both healthy and budget friendly.

This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy for more info.

Pantry Checklist

I had a great time devising this list, because I a) love lists, and b) love to cook. These are my new staples, and they’re just as good as my “old favorites.” This is not meant to be your first shopping list (unless you want to get it done all at once), but rather a continual reference for re-stocking your pantry over the next few months.

 

Click HERE for the full printable list!

How do I afford all this specialty stuff?

That’s a good question. I mostly bought all of my specialty groceries from Amazon and a local organic grocery store when I first started out. It didn’t take me long to arrive at this unfortunate realization:

These totals reflect the cost of everything in the left hand column vs. the cost of everything in the right-hand column, per my local grocery store. And that’s if the items are even available. What I couldn’t find at my grocery store, I got from Amazon Prime, which is definitely not cheaper.

Thrive Market

I have searched the internet (and grocery store) for the cheapest way to re-stock an entire pantry, and I keep coming back to Thrive Market. I’ve done my research, and I can, without a doubt, say this is the most budget-friendly way to do a full pantry makeover. Here’s why:

1. The products are 25-50% off grocery store and Amazon prices.

Take a look at some comparisons of my favorite items (prices subject to change–all prices are as of published date of this post):

Cassava Flour

Amazon: $18.62

Grocery Store: $17.99

Thrive Market: $11.99

Monk Fruit Erythritol Granular Sweetener (1 pound)

Amazon: unavailable in 1 pound

Grocery Store: $10.99

Thrive Market: $8.79

Shirataki Noodles (6 packs)

Amazon: $16.81

Grocery Store: $20.94

Thrive market: $11.94

Flax Seed Crackers

Amazon: $5.99

Grocery Store: $6.39

Thrive Market: $4.22

Pressure Cooked Canned Beans (12 cans)

Amazon: $29.86

Grocery Store: $34.20

Thrive Market: $25.08

Avocado Oil Mayo

Amazon: $12.99

Grocery Store: $9.99

Thrive Market: $7.49

2. You get 25% off your first order with the purchase of a monthly or yearly membership.

This is how you can buy every item on my list for less than $200. Like Costco or Sam’s Club, there’s a yearly membership fee to “access the savings,” but–like Costco and Sam’s Club–the items are sold at wholesale prices. With the added 25% off, your first order will be for “corn, wheat, and sugar” prices.

3. They carry (almost) everything.

I’m able to get all of my flours, oils, vinegars, granular sweeteners, nuts, extracts, and condiments from Thrive Market. The only things I haven’t been able to find are whole sorghum and millet (however, they carry sorghum flour).

I can find millet in bulk at my grocery store, but it’s important that they carry everything else on my list. Shipping is free over $49.00, and I personally find it very easy to reach that amount doing one order per month or every other month.

3. They offer a membership savings guarantee.

If you don’t make back your membership fee within the year, they’ll give you a credit for the difference when you renew. I made mine back (and then some) in my first order with the 25% off deal.

4. They give back.

For every paid membership, Thrive Market donates a membership to a low-income family, veteran, or teacher. This isn’t necessarily important to my personal budget, but one of the most frustrating things about being lectin “enlightened” is seeing how unaffordable it is. This company makes it a little easier for people to get on board eating better things. It’s not a permanent fix, but a step in the right direction.

Budget Friendly & Convenient

Thrive Market is the best place to order specialty groceries for up to half the cost. I do one shopping trip a month so I can buy enough to get free shipping. I can go as slowly or as quickly as I want. Thrive Market is the cheapest and most convenient way to commit to my lifelong goal: choosing the healthier, lectin-free alternative for my pantry.

Click HERE to get started on your pantry makeover!