Going paleo: Where to Shop

If you have attempted eating a paleo-inspired diet at any point in your life, you have probably already realized that the typical grocery store just won’t cut it. A simple shopping trip will probably turn into a tour of the city with 4-5 stops just to complete your weekly grocery list. Obviously, this is NOT the ideal way to shop, and it’s likely to put you on the fast track to failure because let’s face it…  “ain’t nobody got time for that!”  Over the past few weeks we have discussed what to buy when going paleo but today I’d like to talk about where to buy these foods. Of course, this will be most beneficial for those readers local to the DFW area, but I have also included some tips for the out-of-town folks as well.

Natural Grocery Stores

• Whole Foods Market: Whole Foods (or Whole Paycheck as some like to call it) is definitely expensive, but it’s the most convenient because you can usually find everything you need.
• Natural Grocers: I don’t have one of these near me but have heard good things from friends who do.
• Sprouts: I have actually never shopped here before but plan to check it out. From what I understand it is less expensive than Whole Foods but may not be quite as comprehensive.
• Trader Joe’s: I find TJ’s to be less expensive with great specialty items but not nearly as comprehensive as I need it to be.
• Market Street: This store has limited variety of organic/natural items but it’s definitely better than a typical grocery store.  I can usually shop here for my weekly shopping and spend less than if I were to go to WF, but I will have to make a few compromises.
• HEB Central Market: I think of this as on par with Market Street above, but haven’t been to one in years since I moved from Houston.
• Aldi: This is a store I need to check out as we just got one closer, and they were recently in the news about going all organic. I hear it is much more affordable as well.
• Costco: If you have a big family like I do, Costco can be super helpful in saving money over the long run. They have many natural and organic options but definitely won’t have everything your grocery list calls for. We like to make 1 Costco trip per month and can get many things for our paleo diet in bulk.

Online

• Amazon PrimePantry and Amazon Fresh: I just recently tried shopping Amazon for my groceries. It was great because I was in my pj’s and they delivered straight to my door! However, I spent hours searching for the best prices and sorting through the different options. Plus, I wasn’t able to find everything I needed. All-in-all I’d say it was rather convenient though!
• AzureStandard.com: One of my best friends uses this site and says it is awesome! I have yet to take the plunge but have researched it many times. Looks like they recently underwent a website face-lift, and it appears to be even easier to use now. They have lots of brands I recognize, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
• Whole Foods Online: I tried this today, and it was awesome! This beats going to Whole Foods in person because you can easily see and apply coupons, better avoid impulse buys, enjoy the familiarity and variety of the brands available in store, and shop from the comfort of your own home. Many other grocery stores have this service as well, so be sure to check your local stores to see if this is an option for you.

Local Markets

• Farmer’s markets: We are all about shopping locally when possible, and it’s almost that time of year where the farmer’s markets start opening up. I know the one near me starts their summer hours next month! If in the DFW area, check this website to find a farmer’s market near you. If not, a simple google search should do the trick!
• Co-ops: I personally have never joined a co-op but know many people who rave about them. Joining one is a great way to save some money and support local business at the same time. Find one near you here.
• Dairy Farms: According to Dr. Brown, the best milk to drink is goat milk straight from the farm. Check out this website to find a farm near you.

Hopefully this list will make your paleo shopping a little easier. Thankfully, many stores are starting to follow the health food trends and are carrying many of the types of meat and produce and brands that Dr. Brown suggests. I’m even noticing some things I can buy at stores like Target and Wal-Mart, so “yay!” for health foods becoming more popular and accessible. The key really is to know what you are looking for, which I went over in my last post. Make sure to check that out if you missed it!

Til’ next time,