Clean Eating Shopping List For Walmart
Many people shop at Walmart on a regular basis. And while the selections may be more or less limited depending on your area, you absolutely CAN shop clean at Walmart. You may have to supplement slightly with other stores if your aim is to be completely clean, but all in all, I was impressed with what was actually available there. This clean eating shopping list for Walmart proves it!!
And before anybody gets upset, let me just say that I know many people take issue with Walmart. I’m not writing this post to debate the politics or to say if it’s right or wrong to shop there. So let’s not go there. I’m simply writing this post to help people that DO shop there buy the healthiest items they can. Simple as that. Please take it in the spirit in which it was intended.
Please Note: These prices and product availability can vary greatly depending on your location. This list and prices are current for my area (Sonoma County) on the date of this blog post.
Other Clean Eating Shopping Lists
Clean Eating Shopping List For Walmart
Produce
For the most part, this is where Walmart shines in the clean eating department. Stock up on fresh produce!
Tip: None of the produce at my Walmart was organic. If you are particular about avoiding pesticides, stick to the produce that has the thickest skin, such as oranges and bananas.
- GRAPES, fresh, ($1.88 – 1 1/2 lb. bag)
- BANANAS, fresh, ($0.25 each)
- CUCUMBERS, fresh ($1.44 – pack of 2)
- ZUCCHINI, fresh ($1.98 – pack of 3)
- ONIONS, fresh ($1.14 – bag of 6 white onions)
- LIMES, fresh ($2.98 – 2 lb. bag)
- LEMONS, fresh ($2.37 – 2 lb. bag)
- CELERY, fresh ($1.24 – 1 large package)
- AVOCADOS, fresh ($0.68 – each)
- YAMS, fresh ($2.98 – 3 lb. bag)
- CARROTS, fresh ($1.44 – 2 lb. bag)
- GREEN BELL PEPPERS, fresh ($1.68 – 2 pc. package)
- TOMATOES, fresh ($1.98 – 2 pc. package)
- CHERRY TOMATOES, fresh ($1.50 – 10 oz. container)
- APPLES, fresh ($4.77 – 3 lb. bag)
- ORANGES, fresh ($3.98 – 4 lb. bag)
Frozen Produce
- STRAWBERRIES, unsweetened ($2.38 – 1 lb. bag)
- BERRY MEDLEY, unsweetened ($3.88 – 1 lb. bag)
- BLUEBERRIES, unsweetened ($3.23 – 1 lb. bag)
- RASPBERRIES, unsweetened ($3.23 – 1 lb bag)
Dairy
Tip: Dairy is always best purchased organic. But not everyone can afford it. Buy the best you can afford.
- MILK ($3.52 – 1 gal)
- COTTAGE CHEESE, ($2.64 – 24 oz.)
- CHEDDAR CHEESE, generic brand ($7.98 – 32 oz. block)
(Note: Cheese is not typically a big part of a clean eating meal plan. But if you do buy it, buy the block variety and grate it yourself. Don’t buy the shredded packages. They are not clean.) - BUTTER, Great Value Walmart brand ($2.48 – 4 sticks)
(Note: Butter that is not organic, is not typically considered clean. That said, if you must buy something, buy real butter. Not margarine or butter substitutes)
Poultry
Tip: Again, organic is best. But if you can’t afford it, buy the best you can afford.
- CHICKEN BREASTS, boneless, skinless, frozen ($6.98 – 3 lbs. / $10.98 – 5 lbs.)
- EGGS, First Light brand ($1.98 – 1 dozen)
Seafood
- SHRIMP, frozen, large shrimp ($5.00 – 12 oz.)
Nuts
Note: None of the nut butters in my Walmart were clean.
- ALMONDS, roasted, salted ($5.98 – 1 lb)
- PISTACHIOS, shelled, nut meat only ($4.58 – 6 oz.)
- PISTACHIOS, with shell ($3.98 – 8 oz.)
- EMERALD NATURAL ALMONDS 100 CALORIE PACKS, individually packaged portions ($2.68 – 7 packs per box, about 1/2 oz. each)
- EMERALD NATURAL ALMOND/WALNUT MIX 100 CALORIE PACKS, individually packaged portions ($2.68 – 7 packs per box, about 1/2 oz. each)
Dried Fruits
- RAISINS, SunMaid brand ($3.28 – 20 oz. container)
- PITTED DATES, Sun Sweet brand ($2.78 – 8 oz.)
Grains
- BROWN RICE, organic, 6 lb. bag (around $10)
- OATS, Quaker brand, old fashion ($3.54 – 2 lb 10 oz.)
Beans
Note: None of the canned varieties in my store were clean. The only clean versions were dried.
- GREEN SPLIT PEAS, dry ($1.08 – 1 lb. bag)
- KIDNEY BEANS, dry ($1.98 – 1 lb. bag)
- BLACK BEANS, dry ($1.38 – 1 lb. bag)
- PINTO BEANS, dry ($1.38 – 1 lb. bag)
Pantry Items
Please note: I know that many people are working hard to avoid BPA in canned food items, and some of you feel very strongly about that. I know it’s an important issue. But I also know that some people can’t afford the BPA-Free canned goods or simply don’t have access to them. So my criteria here is simply based on the ingredient list alone.
- SPICES, range of various spices/amounts in plastic baggies ($0.84 – $1.94)
- PUMPKIN, canned ($1.48 0 15 oz. can) – be sure to get regular pumpkin. NOT pumpkin pie filling. Read the ingredients. The only thing listed should be pumpkin.
- “LOUISIANA” THE PERFECT HOT SAUCE ($1.24 – 12 oz. bottle)
- GREAT VALUE (WALMART BRAND) YELLOW MUSTARD ($0.92 – 16. oz)
- GREAT VALUE (WALMART BRAND) CANNED PEAR HALVES, packed in 100% juice ( $0.98 – 15 oz. can)
- DOLE PINEAPPLE, canned in 100% juice ($1.38 – 20 oz. can)
- WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR ($3.64 – 5 lbs.)
- OLIVE OIL (GREAT VALUE WALMART BRAND), “pure” variety ($5.48 – 25.5 fl. oz.)
- WHOLE WHEAT PASTA (GREAT VALUE WALMART BRAND), Rotini and spaghetti ($1.00 – 13.25 oz)
- HONEY (GREAT VALUE WALMART BRAND) ($4.08 – 16 oz.)
- MAPLE SYRUP, 100% pure ($7.98 – 12.5 fl. oz.)
- MOLASSES, Grandma’s brand ($2.79 – 12 oz. jar)
- WHEAT GERM ($4.18 – 12 oz. jar)
- GREEN TEA, Lipton brand ($3.46 – 40 bag box)
- COFFEE, Folgers brand ($4.28 – 11.3 oz.)
Never mind I just looked it up and found a great article of how not earthy it is! lol Guess I will be sticking to real butter if I need butter at all
Khadijah – Ya, real food is always better.
I wanted to say a HUGE thank you- not only for this shopping list but for the entire site. What makes this site different than most (aside from having hands down the most information in one place) is that you have an understanding and non-judgmental style that I LOVE. Too many people in this lifestyle get hung up on only the best and nitpick and expect everyone else to adhere.. Instead You understand not everyone has the same access to stores, financial ability or perspectives and I LOVE how you give information with disclaimers and just try to help anybody. Any step in the right direction is better than garbage, and I just can not thank you enough 🙂
DixieLynn – Wow! Thank you so much! You totally made my day! 😀
Is there something I can substitute for ranch or a way to make it clean? Salads are a great lunch I love and all clean except for the ranch. I just love my hidden valley!
K – All my salad dressing are here: https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/category/recipes/salads/salad-dressings/. Ranch is at the bottom.
Thanks for this shopping list. There are a few things that I have added to mine that I didn’t see, small stuff, like asparagus and brussel sprouts. I am trying to lose about 60-65 lbs. My oldest daughter is a pescatarian so I have been cooking around her needs. This is going to be hard for me because I have a terrible sweet tooth. If I make something homemade is it clean? I have a recipe for a mango tart that uses maple syrup as the sweetener. Is there some where I can go to find recipes that I use to stick to this lifestyle? BTW, I love to cook and try new things.
Betty Lee – Glad you found the recipes! Homemade does not automatically equal clean eating. It’s all about the ingredients you use.
I found your recipes section. I just needed to poke around some more.
Betty Lee – Great! Enjoy!
Thank you so much for posting!!!! I have a family of 5 and I honestly think I can work this for my grocery budget!!!! 🙂
Amanda – My pleasure!
Thank you for this…I watched a documentary the other day and decideded I really want to eat clean..I went to the Fresh Market and left only buying a few things..I was crying because I just didn’t know what the hell to buy…I shop at walmart a lot(single mom on budget) and this gave me so much relief.,thank you
Drea R. – Oh good! I’m happy I could help in some way. You might also give this a quick read: https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/beginners-guide-clean-eating-grocery-shopping/ Don’t let the shopping overwhelm you. You’ll get the hang of it!
I don’t know why people would give negative feedback for this list. If the product is clean it’s clean regardless of who is selling it.
Althouhg I do nto shop there regularly I do on occassion grab a few things there.
I’m happy to advise that my Wal-mart has quite a bit of organic produce and even some organic meat.
Alex – Many people avoid Walmart for it’s business practices and the way they treat their employees. While I do not support Walmart or their practices, I am also aware that many people simply have no other place to shop. So my main purpose with this list is simply to show people that even if you only have Walmart to shop at, you can still eat clean.
Thank you for the walmart list. I may at one point shop there again. It’s been several years. Some areas have a grocery store called Aldi’s. Great German foods as well as cheaper versions of regular food. I eat tons of produce, lean chicken, wild caught white fish, and nuts. I would never be able to afford this healthy eating if it wasn’t for Aldi’s. Walmart is a half hour to 45 min drive vs 6 mile to town. I love following you. You are the most realistic real life blogger that has been able to keep me eating as clean as possible. Lol. My former fat self and I thank you!!! (268 lbs yo-yo all my life down to about 145 lbs) love u !!
Kim – Wow! That’s fantastic!! Congratulations! 😀
I’m brand new to clean eating and have a big sugar tooth. How do you feel about truvia or stevia? And is cans sygar clean?
Mandy – Truvia is not clean by a long shot. Avoid it. Stevia can be very close to clean if you get the right stuff. Pure stevia in liquid form is best. But in a pinch, even the powdered stuff can be better than sugar in moderation. Not sure what that last thing is you mentioned.
I am amazed that some people would backlash against you showing that no matter where you live or your budget that there are better choices than say fast foods.
People in my family live to be between the age of 86 to over 100. They drank no alcohol but ate bacon, ham, biscuits but grew their own fruits and vegetables. They also had their own meat sources as well even though it was cured or smoked. So I think most of the unhealthy foods that cause today’s illnesses and weight gain are from processed boxed foods, fast foods, junk foods, chemicals, additives etc. So no one should condemn those who don’t live in areas or have a budget for organic everything.
I live over 2 hours from whole foods one way! I use to drive that to get all organic food. But the stress of the 4 hour drive time not counting shopping time, I feel was not off set by eating all organic.
I think frozen fruits and vegetables are great options for those who don’t have access or budget. Frozen is better than canned but as you were pointing out canned clean beans are better than fast food or junk foods. I thank you for trying to help those who want to make changes and don’t have the access to high end markets or budgets.
I have one market 45 mins away that has about 10 fruits and vegetables that are organic if they are in stock.
But what bothers me is I flipped the organic frozen blueberries over to find they were from china. No joke. So hey we live in a polluted world full of chemicals and crap floating in the air no one can be 100% perfect all the time. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive or hard as you have shown. Great job!
P.S. I know clean eating people who died early from cancer and other illnesses and they were skinny, fit and healthy looking. We all are just doing the best we can.
Jacqueline – I think a large part of the backlash stems from what people know to be true for themselves. If they have 5 different grocery stores just down the street like I do, it’s not always easy to remember that others may live in an area where Walmart is the only option. I don’t take it personally. My point here is, as you said, to show people that you can make healthier choices no matter what your shopping options are. Thanks for stopping by! 😀
Why is organic milk and organic chicken better than the other besides it’s triple the price?
Gene – Organic is food that has been produced/grown without specific pesticides. Pesticides that in many cases, have been shown to be the worst offenders of the available pesticides. Contrary to what many people believe, organics are not completely chemical free. You would have to purchase sustainable or biodynamic food for that. But organics do avoid some of the worst pesticides.
Thank you for your sensible and realistic approach to clean eating. Not everyone can afford 100% clean 100% of the time and I like that you recognize that. I think we all do the best we can with what we have and can afford. I am fortunate to have the means to access truly clean food, but I know others are not that fortunate. I am definitely going to bookmark your blog to check out your recipes more in depth.
Tonya – Thank you! And welcome! 😀
Nice list, thanks! Im not a “clean eater” per say, but try to make meals as healthy as I can. I’ve lost 72 lbs. from eating “cleaner” (and a med.) …Looks to me like all the clean eating is actually going back to what our grandparents/great grandparents, and before them ate. Anyhow, I do shop at wall-hell, and do the best I can. I’ve always gotten organic canned beans at the 99 cent stores, so one can even hunt for cleaner things there 🙂
Thanks again, keep on doing what u do!
Gail
Gail – Yes!! Real food is sometimes hard to find, but not impossible. Congrats on the weight loss! That’s amazing! 😀
THANK YOU for making a Walmart shopping list!! I live in Selma, AL. NO ONE in the south knows how to eat clean. I have wanted to for so long and I haven’t had the resources until now because all we have here are Walmart and Winn-Dixie. The nearest Trader Joe’s is two hours away. If walmart wasn’t an option I’d have to grocery shop from amazon, and that can get expensive!! thank you so much!! This is truly a blessing!
Danielle – Fantastic!! I’m so happy I could help! 😀
Bananas are actually heavily contaminated…it’s not from what is sprayed on them. It’s been found that they are grown in heavily contaminated soil particularly in South America…info came from an engineer my dad knows who works in the food industry. Thanks for the advice above…just moved to an area where the only grocery for 30 miles is a Wal-Mart. I can’t wait to get my garden going.
Stacey – Ya, it’s getting more and more like we HAVE to have our own gardens just to get decent food. Sad…
I too struggle with buying “clean” foods for my family on a budget. This list however, is not a good example of “clean” foods. It’s a sad situation in our country, but unfortunately it’s quite difficult to find foods that are actually “clean”. I have much better luck at Target. They have a brand called “Simply Balanced” that is cheaper than name brands but organic or non gmo. You can get on Target.com and have these foods shipped to your home if you live far away from a Target.
Amy – Why do you feel this isn’t a good list?