Whole Foods Must Haves

Lesa_Sass
Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
in Food and Nutrition
A Whole Foods just opened up in my city. We are going there today for the first time. I was wondering what are some Whole Foods must haves on your list? We are going there for grass fed beef and produce, any other recommendations would be appreciated.
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Replies

  • McLifterPants
    McLifterPants Posts: 457 Member
    I mostly go for the produce and meat, which is usually much higher quality than at my local store! But their 365 brand dry goods and great and fairly affordable, too.
  • WendyFitMomCHANGED
    WendyFitMomCHANGED Posts: 311 Member
    Jealous! Wish I had a Whole Foods near me. I'd prob look for produce, Ezekial bread and what types of supplements they have
  • kls13la
    kls13la Posts: 380 Member
    I love their salmon, feta, and spinach burger patties. I mainly go for the meat and produce also.
  • michelle2482
    michelle2482 Posts: 33 Member
    They have an olive loaf bread that I absolute love. Also, their pre-marinated salmon is pretty yummy too! I also indulge in dark chocolate from there. They have a great selection of quality chocolate bars :)
  • michmill98
    michmill98 Posts: 83
    Meat, some produce (usually the dirty dozen/15 items that my local Kroger doesn't carry as organic), the 365 brand chicken and beef broths, quality chocolate bars and their amazing cheese counter.

    Also a good place to find some harder to find and/or unique foods that a typical supermarket doesn't carry such as black or red rice. They also have a wide variety of flours, nuts, spices, etc available in bulk bins so you can get as much or as little as you want. Great for spices that you don't need much of for a recipe but don't want to commit to a regular sized jar.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    365 brand almond butter. It's cheaper than other brands I've seen (though still expensive...) and is so so so good.

    and also their chocolate. I haven't tried any of their meats yet but I will!
  • amymichelle1226
    amymichelle1226 Posts: 150 Member
    I've just recently started going to whole foods on a regular basis for fruits/veggies and meat. The produce lasts so much longer than when I buy it from the other stores. My usual list for whole foods is fruits, veggies, chicken sausage (since my regular store doesn't have it), organic pasta, and cheese. And some days when I have a little extra calories, I go and get just a tiny bit of their mac and cheese from the hot bar....it's the BEST...it's my little cheat treat.
  • whatevany
    whatevany Posts: 109 Member
    You're going to love this store! I've been there three times since it opened. The only problems are that the parking is tight and its very crowded.
  • katys_workinforit
    katys_workinforit Posts: 30 Member
    I also like their freezer section to keep a few frozen meals on hand for those lazy or running late days. They have some great healty options!
  • MariaMariaM
    MariaMariaM Posts: 1,322 Member
    Like everyone said: anything from their 365 brand, grass fed beef is awesome but could be pricey, organic produce, freshly ground nuts, bulk cereal/granola.
    If yours is big enough they have a great hot/cold food area. Their soups are to die for.

    Sometimes I have good finds on wine.

    Make sure you print their coupons or grab the ones at the store. And enjoy the samples!
  • CarmenSRT
    CarmenSRT Posts: 843 Member
    Rolled rye flakes, rolled oats, almond butter and good coffees. Oh, and wonderful cheeses and artichokes that are worth the money. :happy:
  • kimjoan
    kimjoan Posts: 192 Member
    Everything! Like some have said, they can be a bit pricey on some things but lives up to the "get what you pay for" saying. My favorites are their meats, fresh baked goods, high quality produce and cheese (when I could eat it). Enjoy!
  • polo571
    polo571 Posts: 708 Member
    I like there sushi to go
  • denvervegan
    denvervegan Posts: 11 Member
    The bulk section is awesome. I buy grains, flour, couscous, nuts, dried fruits, and spices in bulk there.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    Olives from their olive bar are awesome! They do have a terrific cheese department, and their selection of vegetarian and/or gluten-free stuff is much broader than the regular grocery store.
  • LessJITT
    LessJITT Posts: 11 Member
    When I am in a rush for lunch or going to a child's sporting event I live on the roasted brussels sprouts & kale salad from the deli. I also have two growing boys that are carboholics and they can eat an entire loaf of their pretzel bread in under 30 minuters. Lastly, their roasted chickens are always on sale on Tuesday's so dinner is healthy & ready-to-go!!! Enjoy! :drinker:
  • AliceNov2011
    AliceNov2011 Posts: 471 Member
    Heirloom tomatoes, shirataki tofu noodles, bulk sprouted lentils, wild salmon.
  • iLose2Gain
    iLose2Gain Posts: 138 Member
    I like there sushi to go

    Yes they have the best "to go" sushi!! I also go their for my brown rice protein & acai berry smoothie packets! You need a day when you can just go browse around to find you stables! Have fun!!
  • mtwudfit
    mtwudfit Posts: 2 Member
    If you like unsweetened Green Tea, then they have the Sencha Shots by ItoEn. They're about 6 oz and really help suppress appetite and give you energy without crashiing. They're in the Bottled Tea section (not refrigerated). Also, if you happen to be doing low carb, their Applewood smoked bacon at the deli is awesome.
  • babydoll315
    babydoll315 Posts: 30 Member
    Grade B Maple Syrup!!
  • Sarah_Wins
    Sarah_Wins Posts: 936 Member
    I drive all the way across town once in awhile for their produce, Organicville dressings, Nature's Rancher frozen burgers, grind-your-own nut butters and spices, and beef satay skewers. Great, now I have to go there again.

    ETA: Oh, and Green Mountain Gringos salsa!!! And pure Xylitol.
  • possibri
    possibri Posts: 158 Member
    Grab some of that grass-fed bison, too! It's delicious (albeit a bit expensive), and good for a nice change from beef.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    The bulk section is awesome. I buy grains, flour, couscous, nuts, dried fruits, and spices in bulk there.

    This. It is one thing that usually ends up being cheaper there. They have a bunch of different types of flours and rices. I also get my quinoa there. I am gluten-free, so i appreciate their large selection of GF foods.
  • babydoll315
    babydoll315 Posts: 30 Member
    I love their salmon, feta, and spinach burger patties. I mainly go for the meat and produce also.

    We had this the other night also and it was pretty good!
  • Amber82479
    Amber82479 Posts: 629 Member
    Once you've had their produce, the grocery store will pale in comparison! Also, try the air cooled chicken - once the chicken is slaughtered, it's air cooled instead of dipped in a chemical solution to cool it. I swear, it is SO much more flavorful! Their bakery items are amazing too... My favorite is the chocolate macaroons. They're pretty healthy for a dessert, which is an added bonus.
  • byHISstrength
    byHISstrength Posts: 984 Member
    I only go to Whole Foods for whole wheat pastry flour that I use to make healthy pancakes.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    Love the bulk section for whole grains like quinoa, barley, and wild rice or dehydrated, unsweetened fruits and veggies. Also enjoy the fresh seafood counter and higher quality meats.

    Otherwise, my favorites are things I shouldn't have anymore like wine, cheese, bread, dark chocolate, salted-caramel gelato and the greek olive mix (from the olive bar that I use to make topanade to be eaten on the bread.) But, if you are going to have these things, there is no better place to get them.
  • PomegranatePriestess
    PomegranatePriestess Posts: 2,455 Member
    As others have mentioned, their produce, meats, and cheeses are all top-notch. Excellent quality. The produce doesn't go bad three days later, like some stuff from our regular grocery store. It is expensive (we joke and call it "Whole Paycheck") but for the quality, it is really worth the investment. And as someone mentioned, they have sushi to go and it's good. They make both regular rice and brown rice maki rolls.

    In terms of products, they carry the granola bars I love (can't think of brand name right now but they are dark chocolate macaroon, amazing) and the "So Delicious" yogurt (made from coconut milk) -- such treats, it's hard to believe you can eat them and still lose weight but here I am, and I have. :)

    If you like beauty products, I've gotten several lipsticks/lip glosses, perfume oils, and body lotions there as well. Always happy with the quality.

    I'm having one of their pre-made tuna sandwiches and a mini salad for lunch today, as a matter of fact. Yeah, I'm a fan. :)
  • boggsmroz
    boggsmroz Posts: 20
    Their chicken and grass fed beef is usually $1/lb cheaper if you buy more than 3 lbs at a time. I usually go and buy at least that much. We also love their crab cakes every once in a while!
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    Wow, thanks so much for all the replies.

    I have been hearing about the parking, we are taking our little car and going at an off time, I really hope it is not to bad.

    I agree about bison, we eat it regularly.

    We are not of the belief to throw money away but at the same time, we do believe there are some things worth paying more for, good food is one of them. We drive cars that are over 10 years old and do not have kids, so we enjoy a little extra money to spend on it.

    Thanks so much for all your advice. I am going to for sure look at the 365 brand and am excited about the grass fed beef. I do not eat beef often at all, but when I do, I make darn sure it is the best meat I can get. We have an EarthFare so I do get it, but the store is very small, so I am hoping the WF has more to offer than they do.

    Thanks again. And keep the posts coming. We live right down the street so I am sure this will be a weekly routine for us.

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