Clean Eating Shopping List For Walmart
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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.)
Thanks for the list. I have a question though, since I am new to eating clean. What makes some can goods clean and others not?
It’s what’s in the ingredient list mainly. Some people are against any canned food that don’t have BPA-Free listed on them. But for those who can’t afford those items, it really comes down to the ingredient list. Many canned foods have added refined sugar as well as quite a few unpronounceable chemical additives.
I think it’s one of those “personal choice” things. If you purchase the organic variety to avoid GMO’s, then I don’t think a small amount of cornstarch is going to hurt you in any way. Is it clean? Probably not. But is it truly offensive? Probably not.
Thanks for the Walmart list. i do shop there, only because it is cheaper and due to ourt budget I have no other choice. I try to make good choices there, but I did not know that packaged shredded cheese was not clean, ugh. I have a few of them as i had gotten deals with my coupons. I do shop at a natural food store for a few slesct items, but trying to feed a family of 5 with 1 of them being a teenage boy that eats to no end, our budget just can’t handle it. I make small changes each month as our budget allows and hope to one day not shop at Walmart, but until then, thank you for a good list to help me stay on track with my shopping.
aldi’s if there is one in your area is cheaper than Wal-Mart and have the same things
Ursula – Good to know! Thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you for posting a Walmart list. I know you are getting a lot of negative feedback because of it. I do appreciate it though. I typically stick to non-grocery basics at Walmart because of the price. However, I also buy most of my dried beans there. I noticed you mention buying cheese in a block. So the sliced Sargento cheeses are not clean then?
I don’t know which cheese that is. You would have to read the ingredient list. I mentioned the shredded stuff specifically because they add anti-caking agents to it. Not sure about the sliced stuff. It’s probably okay.
Thank you for this list. I shop there because it’s closest to my house. It’s good to know that I can find some clean items.
Is cane sugar clean? I’ll have to research that one. I’m not sure…
I think it is since it is organic and unrefined. But I would love to hear what your research results bring up on the topic. I am new to the clean eating, just started in September of this year, so I am still learnng what is and what is not considered clean. Thank you for all your help, and wonderful easy to follow recipes!
The stuff I looked at was clean, but it could be different in different areas. I’m sure walmart has multiple suppliers, even for their own store brands.
I buy the big jars of Great Value Salsa. There are three different flavors, and really good, and very inexpensive. According to the label it is clean!
Thanks for the Walmart list. While I don’t like Walmart, it is what is close. The next closest supermarket being 20 miles away. I try to do my major shopping when I am making a trip in, otherwise Walmart it is. Thanks for you time you spent doing this.
Thanks so much!
I really appreciate you taking the time to do this! It’s very helpful.
Thank you for creating these lists. We live in a small town, so Wal-mart is about the only place to get the biggest selection.
Thanks for this list! I shop at a multitude of places like Walmart, Commissary, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and Kroger. Your lists have been very helpful.
You have to read the ingredient list. If it says anything other than peanuts and maybe some salt, it’s most likely not clean. These days, they add sugar to peanut butter all the time. So sad.
I have shopped at Walmart because they take coupons, but I find it harder and harder to find quality items I trust. Thanks for the list, it helps take out some of the guess work!
We can get Smuckers Natural Peanut butter at our Walmart; it contains peanuts and less than 1% salt; my kids like it just as well as the sugar-saturated PB’s. I just keep it in the fridge so I don’t have to stir it every time.
Thanks so much for the list. I live in the middle of nowhere. The closest grocery store is 35 miles away, and the closest health food store is 95 miles away! This helps out a LOT! I tend to buy frozen and dry foods and block cheese so it sounds like I’m on the right track!!
This is great! I shop at Walmart half the time and Meijer the other half because each store has some things the other does not. For example, I get Walmart brand non-fat cream cheese (which I only use occasionally) and I organic canned foods (more organic applesauce than other things) at Meijer. Both stores have unsweetened almond milk (my big staple).
I think it’s important to note that eating clean really does cost a little more than junk eating (generic white bread is cheaper than even making your own wholesome bread with quality ingredients; fruits, especially organic, are more expensive than cheap chips, etc.). However, if you are on a limited budget, you can make strategic choices. For example, you might choose regular over organic fruits and use a food wash spray to reduce the chemicals–it’s not ideal, but it’s a cheaper alternative to organic fruit. You could use “cheap” clean eating meals as much as possible: for protein — dried beans & brown rice, whole chickens (compared with skinned chicken breasts packaged separately); for fruit — apples and in-season berries; for vegies — sometimes generic frozen vegies are cheaper than fresh or buy in-season vegies.
We know the “ideal,” but sometimes our budgets require some strategic compromises. These compromises should not keep anyone from sticking to a clean eating program.
Also remember that fewer doctors’ bills will outweigh slightly higher grocery bills! 🙂