Whole Foods and Trader Joes!

eating4balance
eating4balance Posts: 743 Member
edited September 24 in Food and Nutrition
I live about an hour away from the Whole Foods Market and Trader Joes, and I never get to go. But today I am going to be going shopping for a prom dress in Columbus and I can go to both!

So, my question is: What are your favorite health foods to get at Whole Foods Market? I'm also going to Trader Joes, but they are much smaller and do not have as nearly as much variety.

Thanks!

Replies

  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
    I'm going to WF today too :D LOVEEEEE Them!!!

    I like their raspberries, in season. I've never found better!
    Their no salt added beans, lowest sodium I've ever seen!
    Their garden lites butternut souffle. mmmm!
    Only place I've found with 100% lemon juice :-p
    Ours has a buffet ....best steamed carrots on the planet!

    :)
  • Scncartist
    Scncartist Posts: 173
    I LOVE Trader Joes! True, they have less variety, but their products are excellent, and their humor is amazing. :-) I've never shpped much at Whole Foods, but I'm pretty sure that Trader Joes tends to be slightly cheaper.

    Enjoy both stores!!! I'm also here in Ohio, our neares TJ is also over an hour away and we NEVER get there. :-(
  • eating4balance
    eating4balance Posts: 743 Member
    I LOVE Trader Joes! True, they have less variety, but their products are excellent, and their humor is amazing. :-) I've never shpped much at Whole Foods, but I'm pretty sure that Trader Joes tends to be slightly cheaper.

    Enjoy both stores!!! I'm also here in Ohio, our neares TJ is also over an hour away and we NEVER get there. :-(

    Wow, I didn't know that Trader Joes was less expensive. That's good to know. What are your favorite products there?
  • jyt2573
    jyt2573 Posts: 80
    I shop at both, although since Whole Foods tends to be WAY more expensive, I'll usually try to get everything I can at Trader Joe's. That being said, WF has a better selection of fresh vegetables and fruit, plus a huge bulk food section. I also like the organic and chemical free health and beauty aisle too!

    At Trader Joe's, I get whole wheat pitas, hummus, light cream cheese, baked salt and vinegar chips, milk and, of course, wine! Also, their frozen Grilled Chicken Fettucine is to DIE for. It only takes 7 minutes in the microwave, is 400 calories a serving and it tastes amazing!

    Have fun shopping!!
  • DianaPowerUp
    DianaPowerUp Posts: 518 Member
    I go to both stores about once a month. They're very different, so it just depends on what you want. Whole Foods has more organic products all the way around. They also have more "ready made" foods, where you could get stuff that's pretty caloric (or not) and eat it right there, if you like. So if you're looking for lots of organic produce, meats, grains, and maybe some prepared stuff like chicken salad, mac n cheese, guacamole, even banana pudding - go to Whole Foods. Most Whole Foods have great bakeries, on site too.

    Trader Joe's is quite different. They're smaller, there isn't quite as much produce, meat, etc. For ex. they don't have separate butcher/meat counter or fish or poultry counter like at Whole Foods. Everything is pre-packaged. However, you can find organic grass fed beef, bison, free range chicken, or whatever you're looking for. There is organic produce, as well as regular produce. Trader Joe's has more of a "gourmet" feel to it. There are tons of items that are pretty unique, that you'll only find at Trader Joe's. For ex., they have a pain au chocolat (choc. croissant) in the frozen section, that you take out, let it rise overnight, bake it in the morning, and you will SWEAR that you're in Paris. They are to DIE for! At Whole Foods, everything is organic, pretty much. At Trader Joe's, some is, some isn't, but EVERYTHING is naturally made. What I mean is, when you look at the ingredient list, it's salt, sugar, flour, etc. not a bunch of chemicals that you have no clue what they are.

    Personally, if I had to choose, my choice would be to go to Trader Joe's. Unless Whole Foods is having a special sale on something, I find it pretty pricey, and I can get whatever I need/want and more at Trader Joe's, for a very reasonable price. In addition, there are special items at Trader Joe's that I can't find elsewhere - like the croissants (heck, any of their frozen desserts), the "Everything Cracker", frozen Indian dishes that actually taste like homemade. That's prob. b/c it's real food and not a list of preservatives.

    Trader Joe's is my favorite grocery store ever, hands down. Too bad we don't have one closer to us.
    Must buys everytime I go: chocolate croissants (frozen, only about 250 cal/croissant!)
    Everything crackers - I'm not a cracker person, but OMG!
    Bratwurst imported from Germany - they're breakfast sausage sized, and easy to miss, but they're
    the REAL deal.
    Garlic Naan - frozen
    Chicken Tikka Masala - frozen
    Biryani - frozen
  • eating4balance
    eating4balance Posts: 743 Member
    Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!

    I'm going to be leaving in a bit, but when I get back I'll let you know what I got! You all provided some good products that I want to try :smile:
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