Is Whole Foods reasonably priced or too expensive? Find out why this mom of five shops at there regularly, and what the best buys are at Whole Foods Market. Plus, get a price list of over forty different items in the store! 

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There’s a misconception that I want to clear up today, m’kay? It has something to do with Whole Foods’ nickname, Whole Paycheck. Funny, but not necessarily true.

I understand if you don’t believe me. You’re in good company.

Last Friday I made a trip to Whole Foods while we were out, and then I posted a picture of what I purchased and asked you to play “guess the total”.  The answers were all over the place, but the majority were well over the total and many were twice as much.

One person simply answered that it cost my arm and my leg.

What about you? What would you guess all these groceries cost?

Whole Foods has been one of my regular stops for years. I visit Whole Foods to fill in the gaps to purchase what I cannot find at Costco or Aldi. We love shopping there and have routines in place for almost every visit. Trying the samples, gawking over the octopus on ice in the meat department, walking the same path every time, and very often, picking out a container of chocolate yogurt to eat at the tables while mama checks out.

Just like at many stores now, I barely have to do anything as the big kids take turns pushing the cart and everyone loves grabbing the food from the shelves. (To be honest, usually my job is making sure the baby and toddler are content).

(Psssst. You can watch a video all about our shopping trip and my favorite finds on This Pilgrim Life on YouTube. Just be sure to come back for the price list!)

Best Buys at Whole Foods Market

Since I love busting misconceptions (like just who is cheaper, Costco or Aldi?), I am going to share with you a list of our favorite best buys at Whole Foods. And because it’s helpful to see the prices next to other stores’ prices, I included the cost of similar items at two other popular grocery stores.

I am not necessarily trying to convince you to love Whole Foods as much as we do. I just want to help you more easily have all the info so you can decide for yourself!

You may also be aware that Whole Foods was purchased by Amazon recently. There are now many perks for Amazon Prime Members shopping at Whole Foods. Just another reason why being a Prime Member is awesome.

Now, Prime members can get an extra 10% off sales, take advantage of deals only for members, and in some locations, order your groceries online for pickup or to be delivered to your house! There’s also the option of ordering many Whole Foods brand items on Amazon.com.

And today, on Amazon Prime Day, you can get $10 to spend on Amazon Prime deals just for spending $10 at Whole Foods! 

Price List & Comparison

I compiled a list of over forty items that we regularly buy into an easy-to-read chart that you can print off and refer to whenever. I’m thinking it will be useful not only for doing your own comparing, but for planning your grocery budget. It will definitely help me fill out my all-in-one grocery list and budget spreadsheet.

You will see on the price list that almost everything is comparable to the prices of the two other stores, and several things are less expensive at Whole Foods.

But what you won’t see on the comparison is one of the biggest advantages to shopping at Whole Foods– their high quality standards. 

At Whole Foods, you won’t find:

• artificial coloring
• hydrogenated oils
• MSG
• artificial sweeteners
• and more…

You can find a full list of ingredients they don’t allow, but their standards are one way shopping is made a little easier there. I don’t have to worry about MSG in the broth or dyes in the snacks.

The variety of items I can find at the store is another big compelling reason that I prefer Whole Foods over many other grocery stores. Simply put, they have what I’m looking for.

I mentioned before that Whole Foods is where I fill in the gaps, and that’s true because there are several things I don’t buy at Whole Foods. They are too expensive at Whole Foods, and I prefer to get them at Costco or Aldi.

Things I don’t buy:

• meat
• frozen dinners
• cosmetics/toiletries
• hot bar items
• some produce*

*I do buy some produce items at Whole Foods, but most produce I get at Costco or occasionally at Aldi.

Here are a few of my favorite best buys at Whole Foods– they warrant a special trip– and you can find the full list in the printable below: 

• flour
• dried beans
• whole grains
• dried pastas
• beef broth
• oils
• frozen corn & peas
• organic onions
• organic potatoes
• dark chocolate

Download and print a copy of the Whole Foods Price List and see how they compare to Walmart and Harris Teeter. You may be surprised! 

OH, and that shopping trip, pictured above, cost me $70. Well below most guesses! 

How about you? Do you shop at Whole Foods? Are you a Prime member? Have you been taking advantage of the new deals? 

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