Healthy eating for a family of four can be challenging, especially when you have a limited budget to stick to. But I’ve always thought that with a bit of smart-shopping and deal-hunting, just about anyone can make healthy, budget-friendly meals.
So when Whole Foods approached me and asked me if I was willing to create 7 days of Breakfasts and Dinners for a family of four, using only Whole Foods ingredients and sticking to a budget of $100, I was excited to take on the challenge!
I know what you’re thinking: a week’s worth of groceries at Whole Foods couldn’t possibly cost less than $100.
But trust me, it can be done! My grocery bill for this challenge ended up being $99.83. Not bad right?
So how did I do it? And what did I make?
The Picky Eater’s tips for budget-friendly shopping at Whole Foods
- Shop the Sales: Whole Foods has all kinds of sales going on at any given point in time. Look for the Weekly Specials, the Everyday Deal labels on foods, and the sales throughout the store.
- Buy in-season: In-season produce is always cheaper. That’s why for this menu I used squashes, greens, and starchy root veggies.
- Cut coupons: The Whole Deal magazine has coupons and monthly specials. (Whole Foods keeps hard copies outside of its stores, and you can use as many coupons from multiple copies of the magazine to shop with, as well as print them out online)
- Buy 365 Everyday Value: 365 is Whole Foods’ house brand, and is often super affordable and cheaper than most of the other brands in the store! The quality is great, and it is perfect for saving big.
- Buy Frozen: Frozen produce is just as good as fresh produce, and it works perfectly if you’re looking to spend a little less, especially on out-of-season items.
- Buy Bulk: The bulk section at Whole Foods is expansive and should be your best friend. You can get everything there: spices, nut butters, oils, honey, maple syrup, grains (like oatmeal and quinoa), pasta, beans, cereals, dried fruits, the list goes on! And you save a ton because you don’t pay for the “packaging” at all.
- Know your resources: Whole Foods has all kinds of saving tips and budget-friendly recipes sprinkled throughout the store – they come in little flyers that you can take with you and use for meal planning. They also have money-saving shopping tips online and budget-friendly recipes!
- Subscribe to The Picky Eater via RSS or via email
- Follow me on Twitter (@pickyeaterblog)
- Like The Picky Eater on Facebook
- Follow me on Pinterest
- Sign up for my free, monthly newsletter (it has healthy recipes and tips – no annoying ads
plus you’ll get a free healthy meal plan when you sign up!)
Then post a comment here for each option above that you chose.
This giveaway will be open until Friday, November 16th at 11:59pm PST. I’ll be selecting one lucky winner at random (via random.org) and will contact them via email. I’ll be announcing the winner in the comments of this post on Saturday, November 17th.
Happy, healthy shopping everyone!


Hello! I'm Anjali. I'm a 20 something living in the SF Bay Area, with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty, and fun! Try some of 





















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I already do all of the above! Would love to try our your meal plan if I win
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I follow you on Facebook and receive your monthly newsletter – LOVE Whole Foods!!
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! And your website is the greatest! I’m especially excited about learning to season Indian food (I’ve been trying to learn how to season and spice my food and I’m already making progress!) and I’m gaga about the oatmeals!! So good to have the health and nutrition taken into account as well. Keep up the good work!!
Love,
Erin
Awww thank you so much Erin!! You are the best
So glad you like my blog and all of the recipes!!
I am following you all five ways! The first Whole Foods in my community just opened about 10 days ago, so I would love to win a gift certificate!
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Thanks Robin! So glad to hear it!
I follow you on Facebook, twitter,and receive your emails so I never miss your information! LOVE these budget meals and recipes….will try them all, thanks! Whole Foods is my favorite and this drawing is on my Birthday
Thanks so much for all you do!
Hehe yay! I’m sure you will love these recipes Michele – and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hope you have a great time celebrating!
Thanks! Having friends over for the weekend, making your Fuji Applle French Toast Casserole tomorrow morning
Happy Friday!!!!
Oh awesome! That French Toast is one of my husband’s favorites
It is delicious – enjoy!!
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Thanks Susie! I’m sure you’ll have fun reading the newsletter – our December issue will feature healthy, holiday themed recipes!
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Just did all of them except pinterest.No pinterest for me.
I subscribed via RSS, I love your blog! So inspirational! And I love whole foods
Thanks so much Dominique!! I’m so happy to hear that!
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Woot Whole Foods!
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And I subscribe to your posts via email! (That’s where I saw the link to this giveaway!)
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Ahhh! I want this so bad as a poor graduate student!
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Great ideas! I already subscribe
Hi there,
Just did all 5 methods. Got the picky eater plan and it looks pretty great.
I’d love to win the gift card and good luck to everyone!
-Matt
Thanks Matt! Can’t wait to hear how my 7 day plan for clean eating works out for you!
Just subscribed to yournewsletter.
As part of your $100 challrngr I’d also suggest buying one of the many excellent flours they sell at Whole Foods and baking your own bread.
LOVE that suggestion Bruce – making your own bread is healthy, homemade and budget-friendly!
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i subscribe your newsletter. I love all the breakfast & dinner choices you have provided. so healthy yet budget friendly for the family.
Aw thank you so much Dixya!! You are totally right – these are all healthy recipes that won’t break the bank (or your waistline!
) I’m sure you will love them when you try them!
Hi I did all five! Am I supposed to write five different comments?
Hi Stephanie! Yes that would be helpful – if you can add one comment per option you chose, that’ll help me out when I’m picking a winner
Good luck!
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I am subscribed to your monthly newsletter–eager to try your savory and sweet autumn-inspired recipes!
Yayy! Let me know how they turn out for you Amy! Happy cooking!
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I’m always looking for new inspiration to continue feeding my 5 picky kids! Glad to have some new inspiration!! Cheers!
Thanks Steph! 5 picky kids – that must be quite the challenge! I hope my recipes help you out in the kitchen – can’t wait to hear how your family likes them!
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No problem! I’m so glad you like my recipe ideas – can’t wait to hear how they turn out for you! Keep me posted as you try them!
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Aw thank you Sherri! I’m sure you will love them!
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Hello! I have the newsletter–hopefully I’ll win! I’ve been eating very unhealthily recently–college makes it so easy to eat junk food all the time.
Hi Eliza! I totally understand – it was really difficult for me to eat healthy in college too! All those late night study sessions don’t lend themselves to healthy eating! I hope my healthy recipes and tips make it a little easier for you
Keep me posted on how it goes!
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hey! I liked your page on fb. Have recently started looking up your recipes – great work!
Thanks Sweta! You’ll have to let me know when you end up trying one of my recipes!
I’m following you on Twitter as @wolverina401…and love the post. Just last week, a friend filled me in on what exactly one can buy at Whole Foods that is less expensive than everywhere else!
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haha! That’s so awesome – what great timing
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Hi Everyone!! I’m very excited to announce that Elizabeth has won this week’s giveaway!! CONGRATS Elizabeth!! I’m sure you’ll have tons of fun shopping at Whole Foods with your gift card
Thanks everyone for entering and for all the support, I really appreciate it!
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