"Go To" Grocery Stores Offering Low Sodium and Heart-Healthy Foods

There are so many grocery stores out there! "Where do I even start to do my research on heart-healthy foods?" I definitely asked myself that when my family tasked me with figuring out frozen meals for my dad. It took me many (often failed) trips to my local grocery stores before I found ones I (and my dad) could depend on to stock heart-healthy and low-sodium items. These are now the "go-to" stores for a successful low-sodium shopping trip.

No, none of these grocery stores are paying me for their endorsement. This is an honest review from my own experience! Please note: I live in Bay Area, California. The stores and their stock may differ in your areas so this may not apply to you. See additional disclosures.

My "Healthy Heart Lists" change and grow as I explore new items. Check back for more updates on this article!

Trader Joes

(The Spices!)

There is one across the street from me. Thank the stars! They stock leaner meat cuts (95% lean or more), chicken breast strips. But, best of all, they stock Trader Joe's Brands low sodium salt replacements (garlic salt, onion salt, ranch seasoning, ketchup seasoning, sriracha spice, truffle mushroom spice...etc) - all innovative, unique, and lower in sodium than their salt counterparts. If this list looks familiar, it's because they all appear on my salt replacement list! Their sauces are limited, but they do offer some really interesting variety sauces along with the classic sauces we know and love in lower sodium than Safeway, Railey's, Lucky's. Check out their lower sodium ketchup, mayo, BBQ sauce! I don't find that their snacks are too fitting for a low sodium diet but you may score a good one here or there. I'll keep a look out for you all! Check back regularly on this blog for more!

Whole Foods

(Solid "Everything" Store)

I always thought Whole Foods was fancy-schmancy, but honestly, I can see why their prices are slightly higher; they stock some great heart-healthy options. They have a whole variety of lean meats, which is a great for groceries. I always find myself browsing their sauce sections. Their sauces have a lot of variety in many different cuisines. What's even better? They tend to be low in the big bad three (sodium, cholesterol, saturated fat). However, some of their Whole Foods brand sauces are kind of "hit or miss" in terms of flavor. I'll try to do a review for you all at some point; please check back for that review. Whole Foods also stock some interesting low-sodium snacks if you have the patience to dig. For example: I found their Kettle no added salt chips that we break out for my dad for parties!

Mollie Stones

(The Sauces!)

I wish I had a Mollie Stone's closer to where I live. Every time I can convince my husband to drive me there, I stock up on specialty sauces! My husband had to clear out another section from our pantry to fit all my sauces! They have the tastiest sauces (better than Whole Foods' brands, in my opinion) AND in all different cuisines. Got to try them all! The downside is that there are so many. You're going to have to dig and do your research. The delicious "Mollie Stone's Own Tartar Sauce" is what inspired me to create the fish fillet burger recipe for my dad.

Sprouts

Review Pending. Standby while I tap into my mind - palace.

Online

I love online shopping, especially when it comes to food. I am constantly browsing blogs and Amazon for new foods for my dad to try. Some of the key words are "low sodium", "healthy", or "no salt added". You'll be surprised at what you find! One tip I have is to browse Instacart! Some stores post the nutrition facts for their items right on the website, so I use it as a way to browse labels without having to go to the store. I'm lazy like that! I can browse 50 items in 30 minutes without having to leave my bed!

Where Do I Avoid?

When shopping for my dad's food, I avoid Safeway, Raley's, Lucky's, Albertsons, Grocery Outlet, etc. Honestly, I really love those stores, but they are pretty bad for a low-sodium or heart-healthy diet, in my opinion. Since they sell a lot of processed foods, their sauces, prepackaged foods, frozen items, and snacks are always high in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat. Their meat selection tends not to have many leaner cuts. Bummer, I know. I think you can still find the occasional heart-healthy "good find" here and there if you look hard, and they are still great stores for vegetables, but these would NOT be my #1 store if I'm meal prepping for my dad and need a one-stop-shop for 20 meals.

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Footnotes/Disclosures

*The nutritional information provided in recipes on this website are estimates and is for informational purposes only. Actual nutrition facts may vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, as well as the portion sizes. For accurate nutritional information, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist. Thank you for understanding!

** Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This is at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products and services that I have personally used and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for supporting Healthy Heart Foodie!

*** This article was written from the perspective of my own experience with my dad. My dad suffered from heart failure and coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery. If you suffer from other medical conditions such as diabetes, there may be other considerations.

**** I am not a health-care professional and the information in this website is not meant to be medical advice. Please consult your doctor for medical guidance.

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