So there are a lot of things to consider when heading to the store. Here are my Whole 30 rules for Grocery Shopping.
1. Read the Ingredient list, not just the Nutrition Facts. Many items will say "Sugar: 0g", this does not mean that it was not made with sugar or one of its by products. The Whole 30's no sugar rule also applies to honey, syrups, and nectars. They are all sugar under disguise. So make sure you read the ingredient list for everything. Spray oil is also a big thing to read the label on. Even if it is marked 100% olive oil, most is still made with soy lechtin. They can put anything they want on the label as long as they put it in the ingredient list, so be careful.
2. Have a Plan before you go, or you will be there for HOURS! Make a list and its possible you might have to go to more than one store. I would start with Trader Joes if you have one. They have a lot of Whole 30 friendly items!
3. Research the hard to find items before you go! If you are looking for Mayo not made with soy, salami made without wine, and bacon made without sugar- you have your work cut out for you. Fortunately you are not alone! Hit the internet and see if you can find what you are looking for before you leave the house. Also I have supplied a list of my favorite hard to find items below! :)
4. Stay in season. It will be much more enjoyable for you if you are cooking meals that you can be proud of and that taste good! Staying in season as much as you can with your produce will help that. This is especially true with fruit. You are going to be more likely to enjoy the piece of fruit you are eating if it is in season. Also there is nothing better than a roast chicken in the fall, or bbq burgers in the summer... so keeping your meals in season will help you get excited about what you are preparing!
5. Make sure to buy a few items in the freezer section... or at least make meals that you can freeze. You never know when you are going to get way-laid and not make it to the store. Having meals that you can prepare from the freezer will help this. Nothing will kill this regiment faster than having nothing to eat and not having time to go to the store.
My List of Hard to find items:
1. Pre made Clarified Butter/Ghee- Trader Joes! You can also find coconut oil and high quality olive oil there.
2. Sugar Free Bacon- Kirkland Brand Low Sodium from Costco... Comes in 4 pound packages, but it freezes very well!
3. Wine and Sugar Free Cured Meat: Volpi Brand, you should be able to find this at most gourmet foods stores
4. Soy Free Mayo: Trader Joes! Trader Joes REAL Mayo in the yellow jar. It is made with canola oil... which is in the whole 30 grey area so use it sparingly. However, eating spoonfuls of homemade mayo is probably not that great of an idea anyway!
5. Sugar Free Sausage: Isernos Chicken Sausage- Breakfast, Hot, and Italian style. All are Sugar free and all natural. You can find them at Safeway, Trader Joes, WinCo, and they have a website.
6. Coconut Milk without Carrageenan: Most canned Coconut milk is Carageenan free! Guar Gum is allowed on the Whole 30.
7. Pre Made Coconut Cream: Trader Joes! It is like frosting. I like to blend it with a banana and imitation vanilla (check the ingredients on the vanilla), and serve it with sliced pears and strawberries as a dip when my girlfriends come over!
8. Soy Free Buffalo Wing Sauce: FRANKS ORIGINAL!! Franks is one of the cleanest sauces you can buy on the market. I will be posting a recipe for my buffalo wings a little later. So easy, just franks, clarified butter, and wings. Cant get much simpler than that!
9. Sugar Free Mustard: Gulden's Brown Mustard. Also wonderful to use in a home made vinaigrette!
10. Dairy Free Taco Seasoning: You can find this in any bulk section of a gourmet grocery store. Whole Foods definitely has it, as does our local Market of Choice.
I am still looking for - dairy and soy free pesto, any vinegrettes on the market that are soy and sugar free, and Whole 30 compliant Ketchup. So if anyone knows of any, let me know! :)
Thanks all!
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