25 Best Whole Foods Finds Under $5
Whole Foods is the Mercedes of supermarkets. It's all kinds of fancy inside and can be staggeringly expensive (hence its nickname "Whole Paycheck"). But here's the truth: Like Mercedes, which has a line of vehicles that costs a fraction of their high-end models, Whole Foods sells many items on the cheap. Like, less than $5, cheap! While pre-made meals and exotic produce don't make the cut, there are many staples and snacks like quinoa and healthy chips that do—and we've tracked them all down!
You might notice that most of our finds are from Whole Foods' private brand, 365 Organic. Though some may assume store brands are inferior to bigger name products, that's not the case. In fact, Whole Foods has stricter standards than mainstream grocery stores when it comes to the ingredients that wind up in their items. Plus, private-label products are often made in the same facilities that produce the name-brand stuff, which means it's the same quality than the pricier versions. Read on to discover the best cheap eats from Whole Foods, and after you've jotted down some notes for your next trip, read up on these 50 Best Supermarket Shopping Tips Ever.
FROZEN FOOD
365 Organic Riced Cauliflower
Per ¾ cup serving: 30 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 70 mg sodium, 4 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 1 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.99
Instead of spending precious time tossing cauliflower florets into a food processor to create "rice," heat up this bag of this pre-made stuff instead. Using this high-fiber alternative to rice is one of these 22 Carb-Cutting Hacks Diet Experts Love.
365 Organic Butternut Squash
Per 2/3 cup serving: 50 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 13 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 2 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.99
Bringing a bag or two of this nutrient-rich veggie home will make preparing any of these 20 Healthy Butternut Squash Recipes a cinch!
365 Organic Quinoa with Vegetables
Per 1 cup serving: 140 calories, 2 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 10 mg sodium, 27 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 5 g protein
Price at most stores: $3.99
Trade in the long process that typically comes along with making quinoa for this zappable meal in a bag. Mix it with some additional frozen veggies and pair with your protein of choice to create a no-fuss nutritious meal.
365 Organic Mixed Mushrooms
Per 1 cup serving: 20 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 2 g protein
Price at most stores: $3.99
A potent source of selenium, a mineral that protects cells from damage that might lead to heart disease and cancer, mushrooms make a delicious and healthy addition to stir-fries, omelets, and more.
SNACKS
Engine 2 Plant-Strong Organic Microwave Popcorn
4 cups popped: 110 calories, 1.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 g sodium, 22 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 3 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.29
High in fiber and heart-healthy whole grains, popcorn makes for a satisfying low-cal snack. Since this version is free of flavorings, you can dress it up however you see fit with the help of these 20 Delicious Ways to Dress Up Your Popcorn.
365 Organic Lightly Salted Pea Crisps
Per 1 oz serving: 110 calories, 4.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 50 mg sodium, 14 g carbs, 5 g fiber, < 1 g sugar, 5 g protein
Price at most stores: $1.99
A non-perishable snack that's high in both protein and fiber and free of icky ingredients? Uh, yes, please! For more healthy snacks we love, don't miss these 30 Most Filling Healthy Snacks.
365 Ranch Lentil Crisps
Per 1 oz serving: 120 calories, 4.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 220 mg sodium, 16 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 6 g protein
Price at most stores: $1.99
The crunch you crave from a chip, with far more protein and fiber. These are a definite Eat This!
365 Organic Super Seed Rolled Tortilla Chips
Per 1 oz serving: 140 calories, 9 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 100 mg sodium, 14 g carbs, 2 g fiber, < 1 g sugar, 2 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.99
Rolled or flat, we always love a good tortilla chip. These are made with quinoa, chia seeds, flaxseeds and other superfoods your body—and taste buds—will love.
PANTRY STAPLES & SAUCES
365 Organic Canola Oil Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Per ⅓ second spray serving: 0 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein
Price at most stores: $4.99
Keep your food from sticking to the pan without using an entire pat of butter. Nab this cooking spray for just $4.99.
365 Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Per ⅓ second spray serving: 0 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein
Price at most stores: $4.99
We like this cooking spray because it's made with extra virgin olive oil, a healthy fats that's filled with polyphenols. These antioxidants help battle diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, and brain deterioration.
365 Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes
Per ½ cup serving: 20 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 220 mg sodium, 5 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 3 g sugar, < 1 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.29
These low-sodium tomatoes can be used for a range of recipes. Consider them a must-buy.
365 Organic Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes
Per ½ cup serving: 30 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 220 mg sodium, 6 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 1 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.99
Add a layer of flavor to soups, stews, chilis, and sauces with these sweet roasted organic tomatoes.
365 Organic Tomato Paste
Per 2 tbsp serving: 25 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 20 mg sodium, 5 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 4 g sugar, < 1 g protein
Price at most stores: $0.99
No kitchen should be without this low-cost staple. Stew, sloppy Joe and sauce recipes always call for the stuff.
365 Organic Pizza Sauce
Per ¼ cup serving: 45 calories, 2 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 240 mg sodium, 5 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 1 g protein
Price at most stores: $1.99
Even though it's technically supposed to be used on pizzas, we like this no-sugar-added sauce for just about everything from zoodles to chicken parm.
365 Organic Chicken Broth Low Sodium
Per 1 cup serving: 10 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 140 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein
Price at most stores: $3.29
Low-sodium broth serves as the perfect base for a variety of soup recipes and can also be used to flavor rice and chicken dishes.
365 Organic Dijon Mustard
Per 1 tsp serving: 0 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 50 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein
Price at most stores: $1.99
Eating just 1 teaspoon of low-cal mustard can increase your metabolism by up to 25 percent for several hours, according to researchers at England's Oxford Polytechnic Institute. This particular bottle is far lower is sodium than other leading brands like Grey Poupon, making it a category winner in our eyes. For other Eat This-approved picks, don't miss our report, 25 Best and Worst Condiments.
365 Organic Sweet-Sabi Mustard
Per 1 tsp serving: 5 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 60 mg sodium, < 1 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.69
Spice up your sandwiches with this delicious wasabi- and honey-infused spread. It also works great as a mayo substitute in a variety of recipes ranging from chicken salad to deviled eggs.
GRAINS & LEGUMES
365 Organic Brown Rice Whole Grain
Per 1 cup serving: 200 calories, 1.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 43 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 5 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.99
Filled with essential amino acids and healthy fiber, brown rice—not white—is a staple every healthy eater should keep on hand. We love it so much, in fact, we named it one of these 19 Weight Loss Staples to Always Have on Hand/
365 Organic Super Grains
Per ¼ cup serving: 180 calories, 2.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 33 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 6 g protein
Price at most stores: $3.99
Get the best of each and every supergrain with this blend of white and red quinoa, millet, and buckwheat, a gluten-free and a complete source of protein that's been shown to improve circulation and lower cholesterol.
365 Organic Garbanzo Beans
Per ¼ cup serving: 180 calories, 3 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 10 mg sodium, 30 g carbs, 9 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 10 g protein
Whether you call them garbanzo beans or chickpeas, one thing is for certain: they should be a part of your weekly diet. Their high fiber and protein content increase satiety, and some studies have even shown that people who add them to a reduced-calorie diet lose more weight and have lower cholesterol. For some delicious ways to eat them, don't miss these 20 Amazing, Surprising Ways to Eat Chickpeas.
365 Organic Green Lentils
Per ¼-cup serving: 180 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 30 g carbs, 15 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 13 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.99
Use this amazing vegetarian protein to make some of these 20 Wholesome Lentil Recipes!
365 Organic Barley, Peas & Lentils
Per ¼ cup serving: 180 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 32 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 6 g protein
Price at most stores: $2.99
Use this low-cost blend to make slow cooker soup or mix it with minced veggies and sausages for a flavorful entrée. (We love this recipe from LeMoine Family Kitchen.)
365 Organic Long Grain Brown Rice
Per ¼ cup serving: 190 calories, 1.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 39 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 4 g protein
Price at most stores: $3.99
Like short-grain brown rice, long-grain brown rice is an excellent source of protein and fiber. Since it contains less starch, it's often drier than its short counterpart, making it a smart base for pilafs and dishes with a lot of sauce.
365 Organic Italian Farro
Per 1/4 cup serving: 170 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 35 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 5 g protein
Price at most stores: $3.29
Farro (which is referred to by some as emmer wheat) is a protein-filled carb that's a potent source of magnesium, energizing iron and zinc, a mineral that's been shown to rev sex drive and aid protein synthesis. Oh, and not to mention, it's quite tasty, too. With its robust, nutty flavor and satisfyingly chewy texture, it's a grain you won't tire of eating on the reg.
365 Organic Whole Wheat Spaghetti
Per 2 oz serving: 200 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 42 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 7 g protein
Price at most stores: $1.49
With 5 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein per serving, this is one of the cheapest satiating protein sources we've come across.
