Whole Foods has long been notorious for its high prices, earning it that well-worn nickname “Whole Paycheck” (do people still call it that?). Looking for deals at Whole Foods may sometimes feel like a fool’s errand, but it is possible to get a week’s worth of groceries for way cheaper than expected. Let’s look at how you can do it, even if you don’t live in one of the top affordable cities to buy groceries.
1. Whole Foods charges way more money for premade items, but the ingredients themselves are cheap.
Zoodles, those slices of zucchini that look like noodles, cost about $6 a box when you buy them pre-made from Whole Foods. But did you know a spiralizer can cost you about the same price? You can buy zucchini for about $1 each (one zucchini is about one serving of zoodles) and spiralize your own. This rule, like #2 and many others on this list, also holds true for almost any other store where you shop.
Spiralizer Ultimate 7 Vegetable Slicer, $29.97 on Amazon
Oodles of zoodles await. Squoodles too. And any other veggie noodles you care to make.
2. Visiting the bulk section is a smart move.
You can get more than trail mix in the bulk aisle. If one box of pasta or bag of grains is too much, you can save money by just buying what you need for tonight’s dinner. You can buy tiny amounts of spices so they don’t go stale. You can get ingredients to make your own granola. You can even buy nuts to grind your own nut butters, which is great because almond butter can get pretty pricey (and homemade Nutella is far better for you).
Related Reading: How to Make Homemade Nut Butter | How to Make Your Own Granola Bars
3. Buying frozen instead of fresh veggies will save you time and money.
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It would be great if everyone could buy fresh produce all the time, but did you know that vegetables lose their nutrients as they age? Getting a bag of mixed frozen vegetables can cost less than buying them individually, and there’s no risk of spoilage and money wasted.
Related Reading: Products to Help Fight Food Waste
4. Try to always buy 365 brand.
365 is Whole Foods’ generic brand, like Walmart’s Great Value, Kroger’s Private Select, or Target’s Archer Farms. These items will be at a lower price than other brands, and I have never eaten something that’s worse because it’s 365. There’s even a store that only stocks 365 products in cities across the country.
Related Reading: We Ranked the Best New Whole Foods 365 Ice Cream Flavors
5. If you’re going to buy the premade buffet items, try not to take any of the accompanying sauces.
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These items are priced by weight, so you’d essentially be paying more money for some extra tikka masala sauce. Tempting, yes, but pricey too.
6. Download the Whole Foods app.
The Whole Foods app has coupons for specific stores and preferences, so you can benefit from big savings. If you’re in the market for a new credit card, you can get an Amazon Rewards Visa Signature card that gives you three percent cash back from all Whole Foods purchases.
7. “Fake” meat like tofu and seitan can cost way less than real meat.
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If you like the taste or red meat isn’t your thing, you can save money by buying tofu, seitan, nuts, or beans for plant-based protein. Some faux meat items like the Impossible Burger even “bleed” like a real burger.
Related Reading: What Is the Difference Between Tofu and Tempeh? | Our Favorite Fake Meat Products for Every Occasion
8. Ask for samples of items you’ve never tried.
Because there’s truly nothing worse than buying something new and hating it, ask a Whole Foods salesperson if you can try an item before you buy. More than likely, they’ll be happy to let you have a taste, and then you’ll know if it’s worth the money.
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9. Keep your eyes on the prize!
Whole Foods has so many splurge items like $5 kombuchas, $10 cold-pressed juices, and crazy expensive chocolate bars. Try to focus on just the items you need. It helps to go in with a shopping list and a meal plan in mind.
10. Join Amazon Prime.
While there’s a bigger up-front cost for the Amazon Prime membership itself, if you can afford it, you’ll get great discounts at Whole Foods (now that they’re owned by Amazon)!
Related Reading: Which Grocery Delivery Service Is Best for You?
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Grocery store savings are just one more reason to try Amazon Prime.
Related Video: We Tried Whole Foods’ Employee Recommendations to See How They Stacked Up
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