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Whole Foods is well-known for two things: healthful foods and exorbitant costs. According to Women’s Health, the business is known as one of the healthiest grocery stores in the country because it appeals to those seeking natural and organic items. Buyer’s regret is typical following a visit to the store, especially if you bought a few products from the hot bar.

While it may appear to be a good idea to stop by and pick up a fresh gourmet side or two for lunch or dinner, a deeper analysis of the receipt reveals that this is the sole indicator you should reconsider your future visits to the hot bar. Sure, buying ready-to-eat meals is handy, but discovering that they are a complete rip-off can be distressing.

We recognize that sometimes it is impossible to avoid the hot bar, but here are some money-saving tips to think about the next time you scoop.

After all, you do not want to waste your hard-earned cash on sides that start at $8.99 per pound and quickly add up to a large cost.

5 Whole food hot bar hacks that will save you money

Nothing proves the saying “Whole Foods, whole paycheck” more than discovering you overspent at the hot bar and piled up a sizable charge. It is tempting to get caught up in the variety of possibilities and start piling on the meat, pasta salads, and vegetables, and before you know it, you have got a box full of food and a price tag to match.

However, there are a few whole food hot bar hacks that can help you save money while still enjoying the convenience of self-serve. If you remember these whole food hot bar hacks, you will be able to walk out of the store with more of your damn difficult earned money.

Read this article we wrote: 8 Ways To Save Money On Food Delivery

Purchase the protein but forego the sides

When you need dinner fast but do not have time to prepare a full meal, get a protein from the Whole Foods hot bar but skip the carbohydrates and veggie sides. Try combining what you already have with a store-bought protein to complete your dinner if you have any frozen vegetables, greens lingering in your fridge or rice or pasta in your pantry.

Adding vegetables, rice, or the unexpectedly expensive mashed potatoes will only add weight to your box, so skip them if you do not have anything else at home. If you need to buy a vegetable, leave the self-serve area and go to the produce department to get something like a head of broccoli or a bunch of asparagus – you will get a lot more bang for your money.

Don’t buy bone-in meat

The ribs and fried chicken look delicious, but the bone-in meat will almost certainly drive up your price. Avoid wasting any of your box’s weight on hefty bones by opting for grilled chicken, roasted salmon, and pulled pork instead.

Don’t go for bigger containers

Your eyes are bigger than your stomach, as the saying goes. Try minimizing the next time you grab for the largest container. Each container holds more than you think, and unless you are splitting the cost with others, the largest one will almost certainly leave you with a hefty bill and a lot of leftovers. Start modest and you have already put yourself in a good position to succeed.

Leafy greens are a must-have.

Stick to leafy greens like spinach and arugula, which are lighter than lettuces like romaine, if you are concentrating on the salad bar. Because the greens make up such a little portion of the overall weight, you may go heavier on the toppings.

Weigh as you go

Remember, Whole Foods offers scales in the vegetable section where you may weigh your food package. Check how much weight you are working with before deciding whether or not you need to add more. Because the scoops add up rapidly, you will stay within your budget and avoid being surprised at the checkout.

What are the top buys at Whole Foods’ hot bar?

Based on the current Whole Foods menu, I believe the following choices will provide the best value for your money.

• Chicken Tikka Masala
• Chicken Biyrani de Pollo de Pollo
• Marsala with chicken

While chicken is one of the more affordable cuts of meat, I do not see fillet mignon, lobster, crab, scallops, or sashimi on the menu that would compel me to downgrade it. Given that it is a by-the-pound buffet, do not expect a great price-to-weight ratio (such as caviar) because they want to keep their prices low.

The Indian foods are a nuisance to prepare, necessitating lengthy cooking times and a variety of spices that the average individual is unlikely to have on hand. If ‘beating the house is your goal, stay clear from starches. Rice, macaroni, and potatoes are inexpensive and simple to prepare, but they have the lowest price-to-weight ratio of all the buffet items. They do, however, make it appear and taste wonderful, prompting you to consume more food. For the ‘least valuable’ products, pure vegetable dishes (steamed vegetables, roasted eggplant) are next on the totem pole, above carbohydrates.

What is the deal with Whole Foods’ high prices?

It is because they appeal to folks who do not ask such queries.

• Because they provide high-quality goods, their pricing structure is naturally more expensive. This is unquestionable.
• Consumers are charged more because of the increased cost structure. That, too, is a foregone conclusion.

Their clients are divided into three groups:

• Consumers who are more concerned with the quality of their food than with the price and are unable to obtain the goods they require elsewhere
• Customers who are unconcerned about the price. They are looking for a high-quality product at any price (within reason, of course).
• The once-in-a-while consumer who is not a regular but comes in for a unique item they can not obtain elsewhere. WF, for instance, has a fresh-from-the-oven ‘breakfast pizza.’

Bottom Line

In this guide, we have mentioned 5 whole food hot bar hacks that will save your money. Keep these hacks in mind before going to whole food hot bar.  A word of caution: Remember the golden rule of scooping at the hot bar: the lighter the meal, the lower will be the price.