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Food

6 Of The Worst Items You Should Stop Buying At Whole Foods According To An Employee

January 30, 2024 by Julia DeKorte
shefinds | Food
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Whole Foods is usually the place to be if you’re looking for fresh, organic food, healthy snacks, or wellness products. It also has the reputation of being on the more expensive side—often because of the fresh, organic, and healthy labels. Keep reading to find out what products are just not worth the price, according to a Whole Foods employee.

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whole foods vitamins

1. Vitamins

At Whole Foods, a bottle of prenatal multi-vitamins retails for about $60, and a regular bottle of women's multi-vitamins costs about $70. That's a huge price tag for vitamins, especially when you can get a bottle at places like CVS, Walmart, and Target for less than $15.

 

You might be thinking that Whole Foods vitamins seem like they would be better quality than some of the above-mentioned brands, but according to a Whole Foods employee, as long as you do a little bit of research to find out what ingredients are the most beneficial to your body, you're way better off shopping elsewhere.

whole foods butcher

2. Fresh Meat

Yet another item that seems like it would be better quality coming from Whole Foods is actually just overpriced. According to the Whole Foods employee, meat at Whole Foods costs 40% more than at other grocery stores. If you're paying that much, you're better off going to a local butcher, where higher quality is guaranteed.

whole foods dried nuts

3. Nuts

Another instance of items being overpriced, this Whole Foods employee says that nuts at Whole Foods are simply not worth it. According to the employee, they're priced "significantly more" per pound at Whole Foods than at other grocery stores. And because nuts are a simple one-ingredient snack, you're not risking quality by purchasing at a different store.

whole foods dried blueberries

4. Dried Wild Blueberries

This item probably isn't on your regular grocery list. And for that reason, Whole Foods gets away with hiking up the price. According to a Whole Foods employee, dried and sweetened wild blueberries cost about $32 per pound—way more than it costs to harvest and produce them. You're much better off purchasing these elsewhere—if you can find them elsewhere, that is.

whole foods infused waters

5. Infused Water

Infused water is all the rage these days, and Whole Foods sells a lot of them. However, according to a Whole Foods employee, it's not worth the price—anywhere, actually. Infused water is so easy to make at home, and doesn't take much time at all. Just slice up your favorite fruit, vegetable, and/or herbs and leave them in a bottle of water to infuse overnight. Easy!

whole food gluten free

6. Gluten Free Products

Unsurprisingly, Whole Foods has a wide selection of gluten-free items. But even non-Whole Foods branded products are priced much higher at Whole Foods than they are at your local grocery store. In fact, the Whole Foods employee says that some gluten-free products are priced between 10 and 30% more than they are at somewhere like Stop & Shop or Shop Rite.

Author:

Freelance Writer

Julia DeKorte is a New York-based writer. A graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course, Julia covers celebrity and brand news for SheFinds, reviews toys and games for People of Play, and loves cooking for her family, walking her dogs, and running outside, preferably in view of the ocean.

Person enjoying a healthy lunch at a dining table.
Sipping spearmint tea for relaxation and digestion.
Various types of bread displayed on a wooden surface.
Fresh bakery items from Costco, including cakes and pastries.
Woman holding her head, feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
Woman experiencing joint pain, indicating health issues.
Vibrant assortment of groceries from Shutterstock image.
Popular fast food options from Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.
Woman adding sugar to her aromatic cup of coffee.
Assorted bagels with blueberries and butter on a wooden board.
Comparing cooking spray and olive oil for healthy cooking.
Top view of Brazilian food dish with rice, beans, and chicken.
Checking time on a watch during breakfast.
Display of deli meats and sandwiches in a grocery store.
Cooked salmon served with rice, avocado, and greens.
Inside view of a Costco store showcasing various products.
Woman taking magnesium supplement for health benefits.
Selection of S'mores brownies and baked ricotta from Aldi.
Grilled chicken breast served with fries and mixed salad.
Frozen pizza options available in a grocery store aisle.
Person enjoying a healthy lunch at a dining table.
Sipping spearmint tea for relaxation and digestion.
Various types of bread displayed on a wooden surface.
Fresh bakery items from Costco, including cakes and pastries.
Woman holding her head, feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
Woman experiencing joint pain, indicating health issues.
Vibrant assortment of groceries from Shutterstock image.
Popular fast food options from Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.
Woman adding sugar to her aromatic cup of coffee.
Assorted bagels with blueberries and butter on a wooden board.
Comparing cooking spray and olive oil for healthy cooking.
Top view of Brazilian food dish with rice, beans, and chicken.
Checking time on a watch during breakfast.
Display of deli meats and sandwiches in a grocery store.
Cooked salmon served with rice, avocado, and greens.
Inside view of a Costco store showcasing various products.
Woman taking magnesium supplement for health benefits.
Selection of S'mores brownies and baked ricotta from Aldi.
Grilled chicken breast served with fries and mixed salad.
Frozen pizza options available in a grocery store aisle.