In the middle of adversity, there is great opportunity. – Albert Einstein

Although the pandemic might have more of a negative impression on most of us, I believe it still brought about or revealed many things that we can appreciate. One of the things that pleasantly surprised me was the apparent rise of plant-based food choices.

Joining the quarantine trend were kombucha, tofu, kimchi, nut milk, to name a few. Even Burger King hopped on the plant-based food trend with the release of their plant-based whopper. The trend was most likely borne from the increased emphasis on taking care of one’s health as we learned that surviving this pandemic is really a matter of having the healthiest immune system we can have to fight off the virus.  

As I advocate and never fail to mention in my webinars and talks, health starts in the home. Even if we may live in a society and environment that don’t really promote a healthy lifestyle, we all still have the choice to create that supportive environment for ourselves in our own homes beginning with our pantry. That way, you can make sure that whatever you grab at home will be good for you and supports your health goals. Build a fail-proof home base, why not!

Thankfully, healthy pantry staples are now more easily available and accessible through several local health food stores that also promote local brands and businesses. When it comes to healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, sustainability is key and supporting local businesses is definitely part of the eco-system for it. 

So, here’s my list of local healthy pantry sources:

Amgu 

Besides offering healthy pantry staples, Amgu is essentially a zero-waste grocery that aims to provide eco-friendly and sustainable options for everyday use. Here, you can find eco-friendly home essentials, from toiletries to home cleaning tools. This is definitely where you should go for refills. Don’t forget to bring your own containers and eco-bags to fill your haul with!  

5A Elizabeth Pond St., Kamputhaw (near Redemptorist Church, behind St. Theresa’s College)

Instagram: @amgu.cebu

Green Shelf

One of Cebu’s first few health stores, the Green Shelf offers a wide array of healthy pantry essentials, food items as well as eco-friendly items too — even menstrual cups! 

Banilad Town Center, Gov. M. Cuenco Ave.

Instagram: @greenshelfcebu

The Little Pantry

The Little Pantry is a cute specialty store that features local goods, both healthy and sought-after. It is located across Mabolo church and you will definitely pass by it on your way to SM from Cebu City. Here, you can also get those seafood balls for your shabu-shabu night fix, as well as plant-based meat options. 

93 Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo

Instagram: @thelittlepantrycebu

The Good Basket

The Good Basket is your go-to grocer for local, healthy, and eco-conscious essentials. All products are thoughtfully curated by a Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian, so you can be sure that whatever you choose, it’s a good one! 

This health food store features a wide range of plant-based milk and also avidly promotes homegrown brands such as Natural Living granolas and peanut butters, Another nut butters, Barefoot Baklita vegan treats, and Crema Homegrown Recipes dried bananas. Their vegg chips is a bestseller and a must-try! Ya Habibi’s well-loved authentic Lebanese dips and food are also available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Cabancalan, Mandaue

Also available at:

• Secret Spot Cebu in Yati, Liloan
• Only Vegan Food at Ayala Central Bloc
• LEB delivery app

Instagram: @thegoodbasketcebu

Only Vegan Food 

If you’re looking for all things vegan, this is the shop for you. You can find frozen and non-frozen plant-based food, snacks, desserts, beverages, and even vegan cheese! This vegan grocer aims to create awareness about how a plant-based diet can be good for our bodies, animals, and the planet.

Block 5 Lot 17 Florence Subdivision, Cubacub, Mandaue City, and Ayala Malls Central Bloc

IG: @onlyveganfoodcebu

Better Food Market

Another healthy grocer to check out is Better Food Market. Their fun and quirky branding make them extra attractive. They feature a wide range of local healthy pantry staples and snacks such as frozen berries and vegetables, protein pasta, JUST protein powders, yogurt, and even keto desserts.

Paseo Saturnino, Banilad

Instagram: @betterfoodmarketph

J&J’s Superfoods

For your low-carb or keto baked goods, and cooking and baking supplies, this is the store for you. They also have superfoods, organic nuts, organic seeds, dried fruits, frozen berries, super powders, spices, ingredients, and more!

Villa Kalubihan, Basak San Nicolas

Instagram: @jjsuperfoods

Veganly

Another vegan pantry source is Veganly. They have interesting vegan spreads and sauces such as bagoong, mayonnaise, chicken spread, liver spread, as well as vegan sardines, and vegan chicharron.

Minglanilla, Cebu 

Instagram: @veganly.cebu

HealthyHolics

HealthyHolics offers plant-based food alternatives for a healthier you and a healthier planet. This is where you can get plant-based alternatives to common Filipino and breakfast food items such as tapa, sausages, nuggets, and even meatless pork belly.  

Sta. Teresita Village, Tisa, Cebu City

Instagram: @healthyholics.cebu

Veggie Tah Bai

Veggie Tah Bai is both a restaurant and a local health organic shop that offers affordable plant-based meals. They have plant-based burgers, smoothies, and rice meals. They also sell and deliver organic fruits, vegetables, and grains. This is definitely a shop where you can both dine and shop for your healthy pantry essentials.

3rd Floor, FTT Bldg., Gov. M. Cuenco Ave., Talamban (across USC Talamban)

Instagram: @veggietahbai

Green Pantry 

A plant-based kitchen powered by a born vegetarian that provides healthy meals and meal plans, vegetarian/vegan products, and baked goods. 

Logarta, Brgy. San Roque, Cebu City

Instagram: @thegreenpantrycebu

August & Grey

August & Grey is plant-based chef and health coach Chip Lopez’s quarantine passion project to encourage people to get cooking in the kitchen. The food items she started with were a DIY granola kit and her Everything Sauce line, which are ready-to-use homemade sauces that make healthy cooking easy. You can also get her Everything Sauce line from CloudKart.

Instagram: @august_and_grey

The Pure Bites

The Pure Bites is a health food store and salad bar that also supports small local businesses through their brand partnership and reseller package. They have fresh tofu, a wide array of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, and their newest product is their dried flower tea collection. 

Instagram: @thepurebites