Whole Foods Buffet

[torena]

Our local Whole Foods here in Virginia has a big buffet. A friend of mine and I used to go out nearly weekly for pho but that is obviously out, so she suggested Whole Foods instead. I know a lot of their foods contain canola oil. Do any of you have personal experience regarding safe foods? I mean, I could always just get a salad and bring my own dressing but that kind of feels like a waste of money as I can do that much cheaper at home!

[Kim Christensen]

I'm no help. The other day I just got a salad with just balsamic and bought a can of tuna to throw in it.

[Susan W]

Remember that Canola, while discouraged is not a start over so if that is the worst, you'll be fine. How about sliced compliant roast beef from the deli and their kale salad and some avocado if they have a ripe one or some compliant olives from their olive bar. Check the kale for soy..I forget whether they use it or not. I think I would stop by at a different time and come up with a game plan. Sort of looking at a menu.

[Noelle]

My local Whole Foods lists ingredients for everything on their salad bar and hot bar. I don't think they used to do this, so maybe it's a new thing? I had no problem getting a really delicious, compliant salad there.

[Johnny M]

Mine seems to always have roasted turkey that's compliant but not much else. Sometimes they have maybe some brussel sprouts or other veggies that are compliant too. I have a ritual of pacing around the whole buffet for 10 minutes scrutinizing labels. You can sometimes luck out with foods at the deli cold case like prepared salmon or chicken.

[Megan Claydon]

mine will sometimes make a kale avocado and tomato salad...it's pure gold...I always do an air fist pump when i find it in the buffet #winning

[Kim Christensen]

I have a ritual of pacing around the whole buffet for 10 minutes scrutinizing labels.

Oh it seemed like much more than 10 minutes for me last time.

[Catherine Cantieri]

I went to the Whole Foods in Virginia Beach last Friday and figured I'd be okay with their salad bar. Eh... Most of their salad items contained grains or legumes, so I wound up putting together a salad of spinach leaves, carrots, green peppers, green beans and some really tired-looking grilled chicken. I put some olive oil and balsamic vinegar on it, and the result was one of the worst salads I've ever had. Their deli has tuna salad with dried cranberries that's Whole30-compliant, and I think they've got one soup that's Whole-30 compliant.

Be warned, though: they also have an entire buffet station of comfort foods including mashed potatoes and mac n cheese.

[Bridget]

Gotta look closely at all the labels/ingredient lists. They are usually posted above each dish in the bars and in the charcuterie. I worked there for a while (my son works there now) and we used olive, vegetable, and canola oils in all different dishes- but as far as I knew, what is listed on each card is accurate-so at least you'd KNOW what you were about to have.

[ar1zona1]

The whole foods here in AZ has a smokehouse that serves burgers. Bison, grass fed & other options. Get them without bun and order the sauteed veggies as a side. Takes a little longer to get your meal but it's worth it.

[alm613]

I appreciate that the salad bar is out even at 8am! So if I forget breakfast I can buy hard boiled eggs or pulled chicken or tuna. Recently, my WF in Seattle added a Whole30 compliant hot item to the buffet bar! I forget the name, something like vegetables marquez (?) and it's just zucchini, tomatoes, and other vegetables in this really savory tomato sauce. So nice to have a warm option at lunch!