I'm so excited about Whole Foods

There is one opening about 1.5 hrs from me.  I can't wait to visit, since everyone here is always talking about them.  Today, someone posted about the bakery.  I'm going to be in that area next week and am very excited.

anything special I should check out there?

I used to work there and it is truly a great store to shop at. By shopping there, you're supporting the sustainability of our agricultural resources, at a time when it is not easy to do so.

I love the produce of course, and the bulk section where you can buy nuts and seeds and grains and dried fruits.

BUT keep in mind that you still have to read the labels and that natural and/or organic foods can still be super calorific! And the bakery is full of sugar loaded items as well as whole grains, so keep an eye out.

Otherwise, ENJOY! And try not to spend too much...I'll grab a few items and spend 30-50 dollars easily.

The prepared foods section and salad bar are amazing; it's a great place to go for a quick easy lunch (well, not if it's nearly two hours away, xD). I second that about the bulk section. You can find nearly any kind of dried fruit (goji berries included), plus tons of granolas, pastas, whole grains, veggie burger mixes, and you can even make your own almond or peanut butter.

I also like the meat and fish departments - they have fresh fish daily and sometimes will have ground bison and grass-fed beef as well. x33

thanks,  guess I should make a list.  Steel cut oatmeal is hard for me to find.  Fish, also, not available close to me.  I avoid produce from Mexico, so hope theirs is from U.S.

Bison........is that buffalo?  I've heard its a low fat meat, but never tried it, cause i never see it.

Someone had some low cal muffins, so I'll look for those.

I refuse to shop at Whole Foods. Too expensive.

Someone had some low cal muffins, so I'll look for those.

That was me. ^^

They come in blueberry and bran versions in my store, but who knows; your's might have even more different kinds! They're labeled "low-fat", but they're actually fat-free and 150 calories per BIG muffin. x33

personally, i just went to a local whole foods, and personally, as both a person who is interested in health food and both cooking and gourmet cuisine, whole foods isnt that impressive....

all the items at whole foods i can pretty much get at my local health food store, 10 minutes from my house. ALso, Stew leonards has a more impressive Deli. Whole foods cheeses are pretty good, and i did buy some smoked gouda and pear pasta, which look good.

not to mention, the isles are freaking confusing, the stores lay out is very inconvient and cramped, at least the one i went too was.

one thing that scared me is the bread i ususally buy ( French meadow bakery and berlin natural bakery) is about 1 dollar more expensive at whole foods than my health food store, which is sad considering how many people acutally buy it at Wfoods.

I love Whole Foods, but I consider it a luxury - it takes too long to get there now that the major highway I would normally take is completely closed off for construction, and it just costs too much.

I could just stay in the gourmet cheese section alone and put together meals of veggies, cheese, and items off the olive bar.  Their 365 line is actually quite affordable (good marinara sauce), and I agree about their deli and pre-made foods section - that stuff is delicious.  But for the most part, everything there is more expensive than it would be anywhere else. 

Actually, I've found everything I need at a very good price at Trader Joe's (even gourmet cheese).

ok, am thinking I will skip it.  I don't eat cheese, cause of sodium, except on occasion.  I make my own low cal muffins, and the ladies I will be with wouldn't appreciate it either if the prices run higher.

I am going to be nearby for an important reason and don't need to take time away from my main goal of the day.

thanks everyone.

I love asking and getting honest comments on this site.

In my opinion, Whole Foods is actually much better than other 'health food' stores. The isles are not confusing; they have them laid out nearly the same as any grocery store would.

Honestly, skipping WF just because a couple people don't particularly like it would be a mistake. You should at least go check it out for yourself.

I also like Trader Joe's better.  I am very fortunate to have a very unique grocery store near me that has EVERYTHING, even 300+ different kinds of hot sauce and fruit I have never heard of before (I live in ohio, assume you do too by the name)

ok.........it makes sense to at least see WF once.

I just googled Traders Joes location and found one is in the same big city I will be visiting. 

Trader Joes and WF carry a 100% pomegranat juice that is to die for.  It is around $7, but I use it for martinis when I have company over and everyone raves over it...so worth it as a treat!

i LOVE whole foods :) I had one right across the street from where I used to live and I learned pretty quick how expensive it can get.  i started just buying "special" unique things there and saving things like bread and lunchmeat and stuff for the normal grocery store.  The pomegranate juice is amazing :).

I know I am getting off the subject here but Costco has a lot of good products too. 100% Pomegranate juice, wild rice, browon rice, 100% whole grain bread which is to die for, wild Alaskan salmon burgers, or frozen salmon, all the veggies, organic eggs,etc. I live within 5 miles from Whole Food, Trader Joe's and Costco and I prefer the last one.

yeah, if i were going to pay my "whole Paycheck" i would much rather shop at costco.

if i were looking for health food, i would go to my local Health food store, they carry yeast free breads,spelt products, oatmeal, bulk bins, all that whole foods has item wise...

If i were looking for neat, random stuff, trader joes is the best.

I'm sure this city, since it has WF and Trader Joes' will probably have cosco. have never been there and only have heard of it once.

I think, rather than take time out from the main purpose of the city visit and with other ppl along, that it sounds like it's worth it to me, to just take a day and go back myself to shop at my leisure.

I'm so bored with my foods that a few unique items, (like scallops) or whatever sounds good.  You don't have to be a member or anything like that to go to Coscos do you?

I love fresh Pomegranates, never bought the juice.

I think Cosco is pretty much like Sam's Club; and I'm pretty sure you'd have to have a membership. I have one to Sam's, and it's a great store though! Lots of high-quality fruits and veggies - you can by them in HUGE packages for next to nothing!

It is totally worth the journey!!! Whole Foods rocks my socks off! It is so expensive but I enjoy every second of the experience so I do not even care! ha ha ha!

Oasis brand roasted red pepper hummus

sushi-grade fresh yellowfin tuna

organic, free range ostrich meat

(I can't find these anywhere else other than my local Whole Foods!)

Of course, there are a zillion things I buy at Trader Joes!

MOLLY

the only reason for my going to whole foods is their killer salad bar. i recently visited the whole foods in seattle and nearly died and went to heaven. their salad bar is  ENORMOUS!

and their samples are always super tasty, but i noticed they don't change them much.

and yes, the prices are high for regular items that you can get for nearly half the price at a regular grocery store, but their signature items are totally worth the expense.

i recommend going. if you live so far away, you should definitely take advantage of the trip! i have one not five minutes away from my house, so i'm very fortunate :)