Recent Reputation Awards |
||
+1
Votes
Views
1 
3 Which is the best place to buy healthy food - Whole Foods or Trader Joe's?
Answers
+2
Votes
Jacqueline Jacques, ND, Naturopathic Physician, USA, has provided Iona with the following answer (reprinted here with her full permission):
This is an interesting question - and I suspect you may see as many philosophical and political answers as you do practical ones about groceries. For me, I am a Trader's shopper and I only step foot in WF if I have to. I think WF has done a great job at glamorizing natural and organic, but TJs, despite their enormous growth, has retained the feeling of my local corner store. While the selection is smaller, I am a routine shopper, and with the exception of a few cleaning products and bulk items, I can get almost 100% of my groceries there.
This is an interesting question - and I suspect you may see as many philosophical and political answers as you do practical ones about groceries. For me, I am a Trader's shopper and I only step foot in WF if I have to. I think WF has done a great job at glamorizing natural and organic, but TJs, despite their enormous growth, has retained the feeling of my local corner store. While the selection is smaller, I am a routine shopper, and with the exception of a few cleaning products and bulk items, I can get almost 100% of my groceries there.
+2
Votes
They both have a wide variety of healthy and organic foods. I shop at both, on a monthly trek to them. I tend to go to TJs first then WF. TJs prices seem to be a bit better, but WF has a better selection. I see what I can find at TJs then finish up at WF. I don't know that "buying healthy food" would be a criteria to differentiate the two stores, they are neck in neck there. The other criteria is subjective, but not necessarily related to availability of healthy food. (which incidentally, is available at ANY store, but requires more effort than TJ or WF).
+2
Votes
don't think you can answer this as an either/or question. Both are excellent retailers for what they are....Trader's has a limited number of products and most are shelf-stable or frozen. Whole Foods has many fresher products. TJ's has a fine selection of red wine; so does WF.
The healthiest food and the foods most lacking in diets are fruits and vegetables. Whichever retailer has fruits and vegetables to buy is a retailer with healthful food....Whole Foods has the best overall selection, so has an edge, but it is possible to shop for healthful foods at Trader's as well.
If you are a meat eater, make sure that the source of the meats is naturally raised (vegetarian feed, humanely raised, no antibiotics). (community)
The healthiest food and the foods most lacking in diets are fruits and vegetables. Whichever retailer has fruits and vegetables to buy is a retailer with healthful food....Whole Foods has the best overall selection, so has an edge, but it is possible to shop for healthful foods at Trader's as well.
If you are a meat eater, make sure that the source of the meats is naturally raised (vegetarian feed, humanely raised, no antibiotics). (community)
+2
Votes
I would say it depends on what your criteria are for shopping. TJ has a nice selection at an affordable price. In general, I believe Whole Foods has a bit better selection and perhaps on same item less stuff" on the label, but you pay more. They do have the 365 brand for something more affordable.
However, if you are not looking specifically for organic but to eat well you can go to a local grocery store with a good selection. A lot of regular stores even have natural and organic aisles now. In the end, it is best to pay attention to what you are eating.
However, if you are not looking specifically for organic but to eat well you can go to a local grocery store with a good selection. A lot of regular stores even have natural and organic aisles now. In the end, it is best to pay attention to what you are eating.
+2
Votes
There are a ton of really great independent health/natural foods retailers. While TJ's and WF's (and other, smaller, similarly-focused chains) are good options, please go the extra step to look into your local independent. Also, TJ's does not keep as extensive a list of 'prohibited' ingredients as do WF and the Indies. Another option (to the extreme) is Amazon.com/grocery. Wide selection, all sales by the case, good prices and free shipping over $25. Be sure to include "/grocery" and you will be buying from Amazon as the retailer. Good luck and Healthy Eating!
+1
Votes
Frédéric Kuzyk, Owner at Jelaia, Paris area, France, offers the following commentary (posted with his permission):
WH offers more healthy products and the offer is also healthier.
One example: slices smoked salmon. TJ sells one variety only that has added sugar. WH carries a large variety and most of them are with no sugar / coloring added.
WH is the best place of both and that's why they are more expensive.
The best place of all remains your farmer's market.
WH offers more healthy products and the offer is also healthier.
One example: slices smoked salmon. TJ sells one variety only that has added sugar. WH carries a large variety and most of them are with no sugar / coloring added.
WH is the best place of both and that's why they are more expensive.
The best place of all remains your farmer's market.
+1
Votes
Frenesa K. Hall, MD, Physician and creator of Your Aging Parent's Health Record Organizing System, Greater Atlanta Area, Medical Practice, permitted Iona to post the following:
You can get healthy food at almost any grocery store. It just depends on what you choose to buy. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have healthy food, probably more organic choices than other stores and they have a lot of high end specialty foods (Like Piedras and great cheese). Ultimately it comes down to how you shop. (community)
You can get healthy food at almost any grocery store. It just depends on what you choose to buy. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have healthy food, probably more organic choices than other stores and they have a lot of high end specialty foods (Like Piedras and great cheese). Ultimately it comes down to how you shop. (community)
+1
Votes
Erika Hinsdale, Sales/Business Development at Stryka Botanics, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area, USA, granted Iona permission to post this response:
My back yard...i planted a garden this year =) I have never been to trader joes simply because there is not one near my home. Whole foods is also far way so i cant honestly choose between the two. I feel that if the shopper is aware of which foods are packed with nutrients and are low in all the negatives like sugar, cals and unhealthy fats; then you can find healthy foods at any store. (community)
My back yard...i planted a garden this year =) I have never been to trader joes simply because there is not one near my home. Whole foods is also far way so i cant honestly choose between the two. I feel that if the shopper is aware of which foods are packed with nutrients and are low in all the negatives like sugar, cals and unhealthy fats; then you can find healthy foods at any store. (community)
0
Votes
What happened to Hamish ?
Did he die ?
Was there an issue he was having difficulty with ?
Were there personal issues seemingly impossible to deal with ?
Has he managed his personal issues now ?
If so, then please address this web-site.
Either remove it from public view, or activate it.
If Hamish didn't die, then could someone please explain ?
Hamish, how about it ? what's up ? Come out of your closet, if you dare or perhaps care.
Many thanks,
from an interested bystander, with others overlooking the shoulder.
We are interested in your response and reaction.
Did he die ?
Was there an issue he was having difficulty with ?
Were there personal issues seemingly impossible to deal with ?
Has he managed his personal issues now ?
If so, then please address this web-site.
Either remove it from public view, or activate it.
If Hamish didn't die, then could someone please explain ?
Hamish, how about it ? what's up ? Come out of your closet, if you dare or perhaps care.
Many thanks,
from an interested bystander, with others overlooking the shoulder.
We are interested in your response and reaction.
