Whole foods (in general)

dmmarie21

Hello.
The other day, I went to whole foods market, and I really have been thinking a lot about cutting most processed foods out of my diet. Although I don't really eat TOO much of it, I would like to start shopping only at whole foods. I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips, on: what to buy, what not to buy, what's not worth the money; what is. What tastes nasty, what's to die for.. all of those. As well as throw in a few recipes. I was so overwhelmed. I wanted to buy so much stuff! But, I didn't feel like scouring the internet for hours trying to come up with ways to cook things. I think that I am going to start kind of small, buying bulk flour, beans, things like that. I already eat pretty healthy for the most part. My fiance is diabetic, so, I really try to avoid dishes with an excess amount of carbs (beans, pasta). Any help would be appreciate. Thank you so much !

JMJohnson1005

I have only been in a Whole Foods once, but I would like to go back since there is one really close to my work. I am interested in what people have to say.

hotpickles

Hi!

I'm a huge fan of soups/stews. You can make them from scratch, and for the most part, with as little or as many ingredients as you wish. The beans are a great addition to them. I like to add parsnips, carrots, celery, mushrooms, green beans, corn, etc. Anything goes! All you really need is to sautee some onion and garlic in olive oil, add your chopped veggies, pour in some broth, and let it simmer for a few hours. Experiment with spices, add some rosemary or a bay leaf too!

I've recently found that I can do just fine with steamed veggies with a bit of fresh cracked black pepper. Pepper is my new friend, I put it on so much! I also grill some chicken with a spicy jerk sauce I bought. You could also drizzle it with olive oil, rosemary, and lemon.

I eat steel cut oats for breakfast every morning, and they do me just fine. I like how they are chewy, definitely not your conventional oatmeal texture. I add walnuts, cinnamon, honey, and flax seed.

I will post more if I can think of it

porcelain_doll

I can recommend their store brand (365) on most items as it is cheaper and just as good of quality. The only 365 item I have not liked is their salsa and also their body lotion. Whenever I can get the 365 brand of something, I usually do to save some money. But I do get Organic Valley reduced fat chocolate milk for right after my workouts. I don't think the 365 brand has a reduced fat choc milk. We have a great Whole Foods here; they have a gelato bar and wine/cheese bar. They also have an area to sit and eat where they have a kitchen to hold classes in. I also recently started getting some Applegate Farms organic lunch meat. It is a bit costly but tastes very good and doesn't have added nitrates. I generally stay away from the pre-packaged foods in their deli area and also don't get any sweets, for dietary and financial reasons. I love Whole Foods though, it is my favorite store.

eroldan01

THe wall of grain is awesome. Organic grains and really cheap (cheaper than the packaged crap in regular stores) Barley is good, rice, quinoa. I usually only shop there when looking for something a bit more exotic. All of their food is really execeptional quality. You can still eat pretty clean at a regular gocery store and save some cash. I love Wholefoods and if I had unlimited finances I would probably only shop there. But I don't, so I take what I can get at the local mart and supplement it w/ wholefoods. The deli meat and cheese are to die for. Maybe slowly incorporate more natural and organic foods into your diet, taking time to sample what they have to offer. No need to go the whole hog only to find out it's really not what you were looking for. Good luck.

WifeMomDVM

Well - I've never been inside whole foods but my local Publix has fresh stuff in it. I just shop on the outside ring of the grocery store and avoid all the aisles in the middle where all of the processed stuff lives!

I am just getting my feet wet into healthier eating but I have a great new book called Easy Raw Food for 1 or 2 people. It has several easy recipes that only use your cutting board, oven, and/or blender.

I also really enjoy juicing. One of my favorites is Kale, Cucumber, Parsley, and granny smith apple - then I add protein powder and flax seed for some protein and fiber. Pretty tasty!

Milled flax is also wonderful for sprinkling in your cereal, yogurt, oatmeal, whatever. Milled flax is probably my must have item! I eat it every day and it's a good source of omega 3's!

JennLifts

Erewhon cereals are delish!! but high carb (as any cereal is)
They have fantastic meat substitute options!
uhmm.. their fruit/veg fresh are generally more expensive, youll be able to get close if not equal quality at a kroger or publix, if you want to save the money.
she's right about 365.. they have a lot of healthier pre-packaged, or as im thinking you're considering them processed.

maserati185

I buy my Joseph's Sugar-Free peanut butter and Almond Breeze Almond Milk (Unsweetened-Vanilla) there. I like the taste of the milk (as an alternative to high-sugar cow milk), I like that it's also 0 sugars, made from almonds and around $2. Can't go wrong with that. My store also sells Zevia (a sugar free soda sweetened with "Stevia"), which I buy every now and then, but it's somewhat expensive - depends on if you're looking for a soda not sweetened with sugar, aspertame and so on.

Hotlips69

I buy my Almond milk, Stevia, Inca berries, Almonds, Walnuts, and shelled unsalted pistachios there. But there are soooo many great things. My New discovery is the Inca berry, or dried Gooseberry they are amazing, I say the are like burst of Sunshine in your mouth.