Sasha.Leila

Di’s Guide on How To Survive Your Trip to Whole Foods

Do you have healthy eating tastes with a top ramen budget? Maybe, you have the money, but who wants to spend all their money on food when there are concerts, museums, bars and lounges waiting to be explored! So, with that being said, I have come up with a guide to stretching that dollar & being able to leave Whole Foods with your peace of mind in tact.

1. Read a Book. Whole Foods has those dope little booklets when you first walk in the store with awesome coupons. Take advantage. You can also get those coupons online too.

2. The Yellow Flyer Helps the Buyer. The yellow flyer when you first walk in has all the best sales in the store. Take a gander before you wander in WF Land.

3. Make Your Meals Around the Deals. Go to the store beforehand and pick up the booklet and info from the flyer before you make your grocery list. That way, you can make your meals based on the store sales, and not try to fit the store sales around your meals.

4. Always Have a List. Whole Foods forever has some exotic, rare produce like purple cauliflower that’s available every once in a while, or the sample tables of stuff you really like, and if you don’t have a list, you will end up losing your mind and putting it all in the basket. I know because I have done it. My boyfriend is just now beginning to trust me when I go into Whole Foods alone again. Keep your eye on the list!

5. Stay on the Store Perimeter. If you haven’t noticed, all whole foods are on the perimeter, and everything in the aisles are processed (for the most part). When it comes to budgeting, you have to trade in convenience for time. Instead of buying expensive, processed ready-made foods, buy whole foods like a meat of your choice and produce for dinner. Also, shopping this way will prevent you from going down the snack aisles and using up your grocery budget on unnecessary, unhealthy things (the gummy bear temptation is real).

6. Bulk is Better. When I learned about the glory of bulk, I never looked back. Flour, rice, quinoa, spices, beans, seeds, lentils nuts, sugar, etc. all in bulk. And the beauty is, you aren’t paying for packaging, the brand name, or buying more than you need. Organic bulk seasonings cost less than conventional packaged seasonings, crazy right? Who wants to pay that much for a name?! Plus, with bulk, you get to get the option of whole spices and dried herbs. Spices, like cinnamon, that are ground fresh are way more potent then pre-ground packaged spices. The result: less spices used, more for next time, money is saved. When it comes to dry beans, you do need to soak them, but like I said, we traded convenience for time. Soak your beans + lentils a day ahead and you’ll have no issue. It’ll be like you bought them canned.

7. Watch for the One Day. Whole Foods has awesome One-Day sales that are awesome if you want to stock up on things like seafood or chicken and stick them in your freezer. You can find out about these sales by going on the Whole Foods webpage or signing up for their e-mail. If you can’t make these sales due to work or school, CALL THE STORE. They will absolutely put some to the side for you. Just make sure you go that day. Just a heads up, these sales usually happen of Fridays. TGIF!

8. Try It Before You Buy It. Whole Foods has this program where you can actually try something before you buy it to make sure you like it. Yeap, you heard right.. In some cases, they’ll even let you take the product home with you, FOR FREE, to try it. All you have to do is tell an associate that you want to try it before you buy it. Score!

9. Get With the Season. Buy foods that are in season, they tend to be cheaper. Like they say, “Plan around the produce, not the meat”. Out of season produce can set you back. 

10. No More Bottled Water. Stop buying bottled waters. It’s really a sham. The same tap water you pay for, these companies put in bottles and sell to you. You’re really paying for packaging and brand name. And bottled water is less regulated than the tap you get at home. You can save at least a couple hundred dollars a year just getting a re-usable water bottle (glass or BPA free) and filling it up with water you already paid for at home. Just invest in a water filter. Trust me.

11. Food Stamps For College Students. College kids, this is important, hear me. If you are a full-time college student you are able to receive food stamps. Just go apply. It is a lifesaver. You don’t need to struggle off hot dogs and ramen no longer.