The 10 Healthiest Grocery Stores In The U.S., According To Nutritionists

Nearly 500 stores in 41 states

“Trader Joe’s in one of my go-to healthy grocery stops,” says dietitian Jess Cording, RD, author of the upcoming book, The Little Book Of Game Changers.

“Cost is one of the main barriers to buying and preparing healthy food, and, as an RD, I love that they have great prices on fresh and frozen produce. It makes a big difference when you want to purchase organic on a budget,” she says.

Cording heads to TJ’s to stock up on produce and healthy staples like wild sardines, chia seeds, apple cider vinegar, and organic whole-milk Greek yogurt.

Levinson also loves TJ’s for their variety of convenient produce, like bags of shredded Brussels sprouts and cauliflower rice, which makes cooking healthy quicker and easier. Plus, “the frozen food aisle at Trader Joe's is also a great place to find hidden treasures like sweet potato fries and cauliflower crust pizza,” she says.

Another perk of Trader Joe’s: It’s currently upping its commitment to sustainability. “I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they've made big changes to remove over 4 million pounds of plastic from their stores per year,” says dietitian Brynn McDowell, RDN.

300+ stores in 19 states

If you like the feeling of shopping at a farmers market, head to Sprouts. The company’s goal: to offer fresh, local product at a good price.

“Their produce section is often the largest part of the store, and I think that's a great way to encourage people to build their meals around fresh fruits and vegetables,” says McDowell. “Plus, their weekly ads always showcase great deals on seasonal produce and their prices are often the best around.”

Dietitian Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, LDN, meanwhile, likes how easy Sprouts makes shopping with food allergies or dietary restrictions, especially because they carry everything from healthy basics to specialty and local brands.

Plus, “with their Food Rescue program, Sprouts works to eliminate food waste and donate produce to places like food banks,” she says.

500+ stores across the US and UK

Whole Foods has built its reputation around being the healthy grocery store. After all, all products sold in Whole Foods stores must pass the company’s rigorous quality standards, you won’t find ingredients like hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial colors and flavors within their walls.

Whole Foods is also great for grab-and-go food. “They have a variety of fresh, ready-to-eat options with their hot and salad bars. For single women on-the-go or working moms with busy schedules, having healthy, quick, nutrient-rich options is essential for staying well-fueled,” says dietitian Amy Goodson, RD.

128 stores in Northern California and Nevada

“In the past few years, I have seen Raley's make a big shift towards wellness, education, and sharing health information with their customers,” says McDowell. One example: regular newsletters that showcase seasonal produce, healthy recipes, and other helpful info.

Look out for Raley’s Shelf Guide Tags, too. “These tags let a shopper know when a product is lower in sugar than some of the other brand choices surrounding it,” says McDowell. Icons on shelf tags also indicate when products are vegan, plant-based, heart-healthy, gluten-free, or whole-grain. A huge help to consumers trying to navigate all the choices available in large chain stores today!

And, good to know if you’re shopping with your kids: Raley’s hands out free fruit to little ones, instead of the cookies or sweets other grocery stores offer.

Nearly 2,000 stores in 36 states

Janeiro always finds great quality produce at a good price at Aldi. “I also enjoy shopping their exclusive brands like Simply Nature, LiveGFree (for gluten-free options), and their Little Journey line for my kids,” she says.

Aldi has also focused on improving how and where they source their products. “They work to be transparent about sustainability and sourcing, and even employ a dietitian in their supply chain to manage this,” says dietitian Cara Harbstreet, RD, LD, of Street Smart Nutrition.

The one downside? Many of their fresh produce items are individually packaged or bagged, which means more plastic waste, she says.

400 stores in Texas and Mexico

If you live in Texas, stock up at H-E-B. “H-E-B tells a story about their product. They like consumers to know where their food came from and support the farmers they source their food from,” says Goodson.

Not only does H-E-B offer high-quality food at very affordable prices, but they also offer healthy on-the-go options called Meal Simple. “The meals contain protein and vegetables, or protein, vegetables, and a carb,” says Goodson. “They’re all affordably priced, nutrient-rich, and convenient.”

Another perk? H-E-B also offers their customers nutrition counseling services with registered dietitians.

527 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico

For those working to feed a crowd and keep it healthy, nothing beats Costco. “Costco has a wide selection of fresh and frozen produce, as well as dairy, proteins, and prepared foods,” says Harbstreet.

Another nice-to-have: “Costco occasionally features items such as microwavable, pre-seasoned rice packets, grab-and-go lunches, and canned foods that can make prepping meals at home easier,” Harbstreet says.

Just be wary of buying too much in bulk. “Be mindful about how much you and your family realistically use so you don’t contribute to food waste,” she says.

240+ stores in the Midwest

Midwest-based retailer HyVee works with local farmers and sources fresh fruits and vegetables from within 200 miles of their stores. (Look for the ‘HyVee Homegrown’ logo!)

Another unique feature: The seafood sold in HyVee stores is harvested or raised in a manner that minimizes environmental damage and promotes sustainability, thanks to the company’s seafood procurement policy.

Most stores have a registered dietitian in-house, too! “You can attend a cooking class, taste a demo of a new recipe, go on a store tour, or receive nutrition counseling and coaching,” says Harbstreet. “It’s great for anyone interested in making healthier choices or learning new skills.”

2,100+ stores in 35 states

You might not expect huge supermarket chains to top the list of healthy grocery stores, but Cording is a fan of Kroger’s.

“Aside from offering a wide variety of healthy produce, pantry staples, and products suitable for various dietary needs (gluten-free, non-dairy, vegetarian, etc), they also partner with dietitians and other healthcare providers,” she says. Select stores contain ‘The Little Clinic,’ which provides health and wellness education to shoppers and the community.

Oh, and another minor detail: The company has set the goal of rolling out zero-waste processes by 2020 and eliminating all of their food waste by 2025.

Approximately 300 stores in the Northeast

“ShopRite is high on my list for a mainstream supermarket that also carries many new, on-trend, and healthy products,” says Levinson. Yep, you’ll find store-brand tomato sauce and that cool new chickpea pasta in the same aisle.

“They also highlight local produce and have great prices for in-season produce,” she adds.

In fact, in the summer of 2019, Shop Rite expanded partnerships with local farmers and emphasized their in-store dietitians to provide customers with healthy recipes, cooking demonstrations, and education.