What the Huel Nutrition Team Have in Their Kitchen to Reset This September

September is the perfect season for a reset. The air starts to cool, the days get shorter, and the kitchen follows.

I find myself reaching for more comfort foods. The meal-prepped salads start to feel slightly less appealing, and back come the soup spoons and the slow-cooked staples. There’s no need for a kitchen overhaul—most of these staples remain in rotation year-round, with just a few seasonal tweaks.

So, here are the key staples I keep in my kitchen as September begins.

1. Butter Beans

Butter beans are one of my favorite staples, not only when I’m resetting but year-round. I find butter beans extremely versatile and easy to throw into stews, soups, and curries to bulk them up. They’re not only versatile but also packed with protein, fiber, and micronutrients.

Canned butter beans have a long shelf life, require little to no preparation, and are very nutritionally efficient. I see no downside.

2. Oats

When the mornings start getting a little colder, nothing gets me out of bed like the thought of a warm bowl of oatmeal. This may sound like something out of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but hear me out: oats deserve their reputation. Oats contain Beta-Glucan, a soluble fiber that forms a gel-like substance during digestion, helping to keep things running smoothly.

Oats are one of the most easily customizable breakfast options out there. Add plant-based yogurt or milk, berries, bananas, flaxseeds, or whatever you have on hand to make a delicious bowl and start your day.

3. Frozen Vegetables

Frozen vegetables are one of my favorite freezer staples. They’re easy to add to sauces, stir-fries, and one-pot soups.

Frozen vegetables can help you meet your daily vegetable goal, provide fiber, and last for months in the freezer.

4. Frozen Edamame

Staying in the freezer category, frozen edamame are a recent addition to my list of staples. Edamame are young soybeans and a source of complete plant-based protein, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids. Steam them for a simple snack or mix them into rice dishes for a protein boost.

A complete protein that takes just five minutes to steam—my freezer isn’t the same without it.

5. Sweet Potatoes

As the days get shorter, I start craving warmer dishes. A sweet potato is one of my favorite meal bases because it’s endlessly adaptable. Bake it whole in the oven, dice it for a mixed-vegetable sheet-pan meal, or blend it into a soup.

It’s versatile, perfect for fall, and packed with fiber and micronutrients.

6. Mushrooms

Often overlooked, mushrooms are a great staple to have on the shopping list.

Fresh mushrooms are great to bulk up meals and add a textural element to everyday dishes. Dried mushrooms are a great alternative to fresh ones. They have a longer shelf life and a concentrated flavor, so a little goes a long way. Dried mushrooms are great for adding flavor to soups, broths, and risotto dishes.

7. Cabbage

Cabbage comes in many forms, including red cabbage, green cabbage, and fermented options. All are regulars on my shopping list.

Green cabbage works well as the base of a crisp salad, steamed in a soup or broth, or added to a stir-fry. Red cabbage is perfect for crunchy slaws or as a salad topping.

Sauerkraut is finely chopped, fermented cabbage and a great way to add fermented foods to your diet. A tub of fermented cabbage has a long shelf life and is great straight out of the jar as a side to any dish.

8. Whole grains

Whole grains are higher-fiber alternatives to refined grains. That’s why they’re a staple in my kitchen.

Whole grains can take a little longer to cook. If you’re short on time, try whole-grain pouches. They offer similar nutrition and are ready to eat in two minutes.

9. Nuts

Nothing says snacking like a small handful of DIY trail mix. Nuts are easy to portion and pack for an on-the-go snack, sprinkle over salads, or use as an oatmeal topping.

Nuts are packed with unsaturated fats, fiber, protein, and a range of micronutrients.

10. Huel

Huel is the most convenient complete-meal option I know, which is exactly why it earns a place on this list.

At a busy mealtime, when cooking isn't happening and grabbing fast food feels like the most realistic option, Huel is the practical alternative. It's nutritionally complete, meaning it contains the protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and 26 vitamins and minerals your body needs as part of a balanced diet. One meal, no prep, nothing missing.

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Words by Kate Barrett, BSc Food Science and Nutrition, Huel Nutrition Team