The Top 6 Go-To Groceries in My IBD Kitchen

I keep these staples on hand so I can throw together quick meals or snacks even on the busiest of days — without upsetting my digestion or triggering a Crohn’s flare.

I love to eat, cook, and try new foods, but some staples have regular starring roles in my kitchen. Whether for their convenience, taste, or versatility, I always make sure these foods are stocked!

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1. Eggs

My favorite meal is breakfast, and for me, it almost always includes a few eggs. They’re quick to cook and are a good source of protein (about 6g each) so they help me start my day feeling satiated.

Eggs are also a good source of choline, a nutrient that aids in brain and muscle function, and one that most adults don’t get enough of in their diets.

My favorite way to eat eggs is scrambled, but I also like to make medium-boiled eggs on meal prep days so I have them ready to grab for quick snacks.

2. Ground beef

It’s important to me to include protein every day in my diet, and ground beef is one of my go-to sources. Like eggs, ground beef is quick-cooking, so that makes my life easier during busy weeks.

My favorite ways to use ground beef are in meatballs or burgers, but sometimes I opt for tacos. Other times, I simply cook up a package of ground beef in advance and use it however I see fit during the week.

It’s a lifesaver to have a protein prepped and ready to go when I’m limited on time. In addition to its high protein content, I love ground beef for its high content of vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

3. Bananas

I love fruit and mostly enjoy it based on its seasonal availability (more berries and melon in summer, citrus in winter) but bananas are always on my shopping list. They are so versatile!

I’ll enjoy a banana with my breakfast, as a snack, and in my smoothies. When they’re extra ripe, they make great banana pancakes and banana bread.

Plus, they’re easy on digestion, so they’re perfect for days when my body is asking for something simple.

4. Peppermint tea

If you take a peek at my tea collection, you’ll almost always find some peppermint tea. It’s my favorite tea for supporting digestion, whether after a big meal or indulging in one too many treats.

In the cold winter months, I have a nightly routine of relaxing in the evening with a cup of peppermint tea. Sometimes, I add a bit of raw honey. It’s so cozy.

5. Almond milk

I don’t tolerate large amounts of dairy, so when it comes to enjoying some milk in my coffee, in a smoothie, or making a matcha latte, I’m always happy that I keep almond milk in the fridge.

I like unsweetened vanilla almond milk the best. It has the perfect subtle vanilla flavor but doesn’t taste like sweetness overload. The bonus is that almond milk often works well in baking and other recipes that call for dairy milk.

Because the quality of ingredients is important to me, I opt for brands that keep it simple with just almonds, water, and vanilla. I also make sure I choose a brand that’s fortified with vitamins and minerals.

6. Gluten-free pasta

I love pasta but I don’t include gluten in my day-to-day diet. Instead, I use gluten-free pasta anytime I have a hankering for spaghetti and meatballs or a summer pasta salad.

These days, you can find many varieties of gluten-free pastas, but my favorite remains a classic — brown rice pasta.

It’s prepared the same way gluten-containing pasta is, so there’s no learning curve to prepare my favorite pasta dishes. I prefer it cooked just a little more than the classic al dente.