8 Items To Splurge On, Settle For or Skip at Whole Foods
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Whole Foods is one of the pricier grocery store chains, earning it the nickname “Whole Paycheck.” Despite its higher cost, there are some items that customers swear by. However, there are some you should probably buy elsewhere, too.
During your next Whole Foods shopping trip, here are eight items to splurge on, settle for or skip.
Splurge: Dairy-Free Avocado Ice Cream
Avocados had a big moment last year. This dairy-free dessert was a big trend on TikTok, so much so that Whole Foods added avocado ice cream to its shelves, according to Delish.
Cado Avocado Frozen Dessert is an avocado-based, dairy-free treat available in a variety of flavors, including vanilla bean, deep chocolate, java chip and mint chocolate chip. Although it may be pricier than other brands, its rave reviews say it’s worth the extra cost.
Splurge: ‘Fancy’ Cheese
If you’re having a get-together and need something special for your charcuterie board, you can’t go wrong with the premium cheeses at Whole Foods. “The fancy cheese is always a fun treat!” a Whole Foods shopper posted on Reddit. “I like the basket with the small pieces of the fancy cheese the best!” another shopper posted.
According to Whole Foods, the Parmigiano Reggiano, also known as the King of Cheese, is the store’s top selling cheese. Whole Foods hand-selects the wheels from Italy, hand-cracks them in stores and even holds an annual event to celebrate.
Splurge: Criterion Wines
Criterion wines at Whole Foods are another cult favorite, according to Whole Foods. Each style is selected by the store’s master sommelier. Whole Foods sells a variety of Criterion wines, from Chianti to French Chablis. If you can’t decide on which one to try, the store also sells a selection of six wines for $130.
Settle: Hot Bar Foods
You can’t deny the Hot Bar is good, but it’s definitely expensive. You can go without a trip to the Hot Bar, but it’s a settle because of the convenience. According to Eat This, Not That! blog, a box of food is up to $13.99 per pound in some locations — which is about the same price as sitting down at a restaurant.
Settle: Pre-Cut Produce
This is another item you could probably skip, but again, it’s convenient. If you don’t have the time to cut up fresh fruits and veggies, whether that be for an event, household gathering or as a snack for the kids, then it may be worth picking up pre-cut produce instead of doing it yourself.
Skip: Deli Meat
If deli meat is on your shopping list, it’s best to avoid purchasing it at Whole Foods. Not only is it way more expensive, but it’s not healthier than what you can find at other grocery stores, PureWow.com reported. Nearly all deli meat is processed, so you’re better off finding your favorite selection at your local supermarket.
Skip: Coffee
There are so many places where you can buy great coffee, so it doesn’t really make sense to buy it at Whole Foods. You can find organic, fair-trade beans online or at your local coffee shop at a much lower price, PureWow.com also reported.
Skip: Rotisserie Chicken
You won’t save money on rotisserie chicken at Whole Foods and it’s certainly not the best you can get. A classic rotisserie chicken is $9.99 at Whole Foods, according to Eat This, Not That!. And if you want organic, it’ll be $13.99. Instead, head to Costco, where you’ll spend half as much money on something that tastes much better.
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