Whole Foods
- Thread starter firedawg4
- Start date
Have you ever been to a Whole Foods before? I've been tons of times and I still feel like Alice in Wonderland.
Are you going for lunch, or just for grocery shopping, or both?
In any case, their produce tends to be widely varied and outstanding. Can't go wrong with fruits and vegetables, and you could easily spend half an hour acquainting yourself with their selection (at least at the stores I've visited).
Although it is scandalously expensive, their salad and prepared foods bars are pretty outstanding, and I think most of the dishes (except desserts, of course) would be considered "clean" - if you avoid the obviously fried foods. The store in my neighborhood (in Maryland, now) has global cuisine, and pretty passable Indian food. My SO reports that their sushi is good. I am partial to the curried tempeh salad, sesame glazed tofu, and various veggie and fruit dishes.
The store in Austin has a chocolate kiosk with fountains of dark and milk chocolate, and all kinds of delightful things dipped in chocolate, like strawberries, bananas, handmade marshmallows, cookies, bits of cake, etc. They also have chunks of chocolate of all varieties stacked up in towers of deliciousness all around the kiosk. I still have dreams about it. Ummm...I guess if you're on an eat-clean challenge, you should stay away from there!
Hmmm...maybe I need to go to Whole Foods myself?
Be warned: Whole Foods' nickname is "Whole Paycheck"!
Are you going for lunch, or just for grocery shopping, or both?
In any case, their produce tends to be widely varied and outstanding. Can't go wrong with fruits and vegetables, and you could easily spend half an hour acquainting yourself with their selection (at least at the stores I've visited).
Although it is scandalously expensive, their salad and prepared foods bars are pretty outstanding, and I think most of the dishes (except desserts, of course) would be considered "clean" - if you avoid the obviously fried foods. The store in my neighborhood (in Maryland, now) has global cuisine, and pretty passable Indian food. My SO reports that their sushi is good. I am partial to the curried tempeh salad, sesame glazed tofu, and various veggie and fruit dishes.
The store in Austin has a chocolate kiosk with fountains of dark and milk chocolate, and all kinds of delightful things dipped in chocolate, like strawberries, bananas, handmade marshmallows, cookies, bits of cake, etc. They also have chunks of chocolate of all varieties stacked up in towers of deliciousness all around the kiosk. I still have dreams about it. Ummm...I guess if you're on an eat-clean challenge, you should stay away from there!
Hmmm...maybe I need to go to Whole Foods myself?
Be warned: Whole Foods' nickname is "Whole Paycheck"!
Stephanie0523
Cathlete
Yes, they are very expensive, but I love that store! I just recently bought their brand of protein powder and really like it too.
Have fun!! Stay away from the muffins... SOOOOO tempting!!
Have fun!! Stay away from the muffins... SOOOOO tempting!!
GMonkey
Cathlete
Actually, Whole Foods tends to seem expensive because there are so many other treats which cause us to stray--from cost control and diet control. Their meats tend to be expensive, but if you stick with their fruits and veggies and their 365 brand for other items, your grocery bill will not be much higher than with a conventional grocery store.
This is why Target is expensive for me, I find it hard to stick to my list of "must-haves".
This is why Target is expensive for me, I find it hard to stick to my list of "must-haves".
Stephanie0523
Cathlete
My Whole foods has everything Ezekial: pita, tortillas, buns, bread... YUM!!! Yes, they have pb too...And I'm sure they have greek yogurt, but I usually just buy that at my regular grocery store. My Kroger puts in on sale sometimes for buy one get one free.
bigbadbrandini
Cathlete
I shop at Whole Foods
Although I don't get EVERYTHING at Whole Foods because they are somewhat expensive, I find that some of their produce and bulk bin products are good quality for a good price. The bulk section is AWESOME.
Things I normally get at Whole Foods:
Muesli (bulk)
Raw Almonds, among several other kinds of nuts (bulk)
Arugula (a spring green not normally found at my local grocery store)
Fresh Salmon and other fresh fish
Ezekial bread
Almond and nut butter (365 brand)
I hope you enjoy your Whole Foods experience. Be sure to look for other local natural food stores in your neighborhood. There is an Emerald Forest Natural Foods store less than a mile from my house but much smaller than Whole Foods!
Brandie
Although I don't get EVERYTHING at Whole Foods because they are somewhat expensive, I find that some of their produce and bulk bin products are good quality for a good price. The bulk section is AWESOME.
Things I normally get at Whole Foods:
Muesli (bulk)
Raw Almonds, among several other kinds of nuts (bulk)
Arugula (a spring green not normally found at my local grocery store)
Fresh Salmon and other fresh fish
Ezekial bread
Almond and nut butter (365 brand)
I hope you enjoy your Whole Foods experience. Be sure to look for other local natural food stores in your neighborhood. There is an Emerald Forest Natural Foods store less than a mile from my house but much smaller than Whole Foods!
Brandie
syzygy314
Cathlete
I went in looking like a lost puppy and lo and behold they actually have people there who just help you find things! At least in my store, but mine is a small one compared to the ones I've just read about! I need a bigger WF!
Tricia
janie1234
Cathlete
I do most of my grocery shopping from Whole Foods, . . yes it is expensive, . . . very expensive. I look for sales, . . and like the previous poster mentioned I buy the 365 brand, . . but I find that compared to all the other grocery stores around they have the best quality produce, meat, and poultry. Other than the packaging being a little different it pretty much is like your everyday grocery store.
babindy
Cathlete
Their organic produce (at least here in CA) is amazing. Fantastic quality and variety. Even better than my local Farmers Market. And the prices for them really aren't too bad. They have wheatgrass in bulk and in plant form. I'm lazy so I buy the precut/skinned jicama packages.
They also have a raw vegan section. I don't buy much from this section except my indulgence: Kale Chips Quite Cheesey. Yum. Very expensive but better than the ones I make. Rare treat.
The bulk section is good and prices are comparable.
Things I have trouble finding elsewhere: Ezekiel pasta, manna bread, Chocolate Coffee Lara bar. Huge selection of supplements.
My 'cheats' are almost always from their bakery. Vegan Chocolate Chip cookies. mmmmmm The vegan carrot cake isn't too bad either (not the icing though)
I go to WF almost every week. It's my #3 store after Trader Joe's and the Farmers Market.
They also have a raw vegan section. I don't buy much from this section except my indulgence: Kale Chips Quite Cheesey. Yum. Very expensive but better than the ones I make. Rare treat.
The bulk section is good and prices are comparable.
Things I have trouble finding elsewhere: Ezekiel pasta, manna bread, Chocolate Coffee Lara bar. Huge selection of supplements.
My 'cheats' are almost always from their bakery. Vegan Chocolate Chip cookies. mmmmmm The vegan carrot cake isn't too bad either (not the icing though)
I go to WF almost every week. It's my #3 store after Trader Joe's and the Farmers Market.
How did it go? What did you buy?
I don't shop there exclusively, but some things are definitely worth the extra cost. In California, the produce, and especially the fruit, both organic and conventional, has a lower disappointment rate than any other chain store. The organic vegetables clearly have higher turnover than in Safeway. Check out the bulk food section's extensive organic grain selection (and the snack mix). The cheese section is almost as large as an independent boutique's and the people who staff it are knowledgeable and will cut a smaller piece if that is what you want. The fish has been consistently good as well (and the Whole Catch store brand of Alaska smoked salmon is better than TJ's, though TJ's hummus wins out). Oh, and the olive bar is fantastic - try the garlic stuffed olives.
Curiously, some brands that would be considered premium/luxury in Safeway are actually cheaper at Whole Foods (Alvarado's bread, Pavel's yogurt). Perhaps due to higher volume?
I don't shop there exclusively, but some things are definitely worth the extra cost. In California, the produce, and especially the fruit, both organic and conventional, has a lower disappointment rate than any other chain store. The organic vegetables clearly have higher turnover than in Safeway. Check out the bulk food section's extensive organic grain selection (and the snack mix). The cheese section is almost as large as an independent boutique's and the people who staff it are knowledgeable and will cut a smaller piece if that is what you want. The fish has been consistently good as well (and the Whole Catch store brand of Alaska smoked salmon is better than TJ's, though TJ's hummus wins out). Oh, and the olive bar is fantastic - try the garlic stuffed olives.
Curiously, some brands that would be considered premium/luxury in Safeway are actually cheaper at Whole Foods (Alvarado's bread, Pavel's yogurt). Perhaps due to higher volume?
M
moni_stout
Guest
I do all of my grocery shopping at Whole Foods because it is the only store in the St. Louis area where I can find a large selection of organic produce, as well as organic nuts and seeds. I don't find the prices for organic produce to be any higher than the other stores in town, only difference is the organic produce at Whole Foods is WAY fresher and lasts longer. I love that store and would get a second job to continue shopping there. I rarely buy any packaged products other than toilet paper and and occasional cleaning product. Otherwise, produce, grains, seeds and nuts, and maybe some flavored vinegars to make salad dressing with.
Monica
Monica