If I had to grab lunch from Walgreens, what would I get? After asking this question, I perused the food aisles to find out. My primary stipulation: the food has to be real – in its pure, natural state with no adulterations.
I also follow a grain-free, sugar-free regimen which makes Walgreens a tough sell. Not that I’m complaining about my diet. I’m grateful to have found a way to nourish myself after years of following a low-fat, highly-refined diet.
Here were my specifications:
- No pasteurized dairy. If I had found plain yogurt cultured after pasteurization, I would have added it to my cart.
- No eggs from chickens raised in CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation.)
- No nitrates
- No refined sugar
- No artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners, or any other chemical additive.
- No vegetable oils
I found two foods that made the cut:
The applesauce is a bit of a stretch due to packaging and non-organic apples – but I would eat if needed.
I would prefer to soak and sprout the almonds for easier digestibility, and would love it if they were organic, but with raw almonds as the only ingredient I vote this as the #1 real food at Walgreens.
Is this all the real food at Walgreens? I can’t say for sure.
Postscript: Since the publication of this post, the Walgreens in our area now offers a Fresh and Fast display with fresh fruit and salads!
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I thought about this on a recent (rare) trip to CVS…there is just nothing there for us. So many pesticides on apples–I don’t like when people give those applesauce cups to my kids! Definitely would rather fast if these drug stores are the only option for food. We always pack plenty of snacks while on the road just in case we can’t find a good grocery store.
Funny, I’ve been thinking about this, too, and noticing the shortage of real food in convenience stores. Same thing happens at airports, hotels, hospitals, and other places where one has to spend some time. Also concerning is the amount of faux food filling the shelves in actual grocery stores. I’m impressed that you found some real food at Walgreens! It’s a little sad to have to pack food EVERYWHERE we go, but there it is.
I ran into a similar situation the other day. We were out of town camping and the little town close by had very little food options to choose from, I was left eating prepackaged chicken (which we usually only eat organic), dried non organic apples and pre-made salad. Far from what we are use to eating and really a shame.
Ha Ha! This is so sad/scary/funny…… This company steam pasteurizes their almonds and doesn’t use PPO, so Yay! I am constantly in awe at the supermarket since my real food conversion. I see people with NOTHING healthy in their carts. It’s so sad that some of this stuff is even allowed to be called food these days.
That is crazy! It makes sense, but I never really asked myself if places like that had real food.
Wow, that’s fascinating that there were so few things that were even close to real food in the whole store!!
Not surprised. We are surround by crappy food everywhere. 🙁
What a cool challenge to do. It is sad that a pharmacy doesn’t have better options for people. Everything is always about what is easy and appealing…or impulse buys!
I find it amusing to read about your tragic inability to find real food at Walgreens. Yeesh. Talk about first world problems.
Blah. How SAD 🙁
That is actually scary!
interesting
Yep…slim pickins!
You should make this a series!
It is quite shocking how little real food there is in these types of convenience stores. Sometimes I will go with jerky, coconut water, fresh fruit or Kind Bars (the low sugar ones) in these types of places.
Perhaps, it would be helpful to shop for food at a food store rather than a drug store. While stores like Walgreen and CVS may carry a few food items for the convenience of their customers, that is not their primary purpose. Go to a grocery store, especially since you are so picky about what you will eat.
I completely understand your perspective. Thanks for taking the time to read the article.
First, I really enjoy your posts. Second, concerning Walgreen’s, CVS, et. al., it’s not surprising that there is a dearth of healthy food in those places. There’s no profit in healthy people for the pharmaceutical industry and by association, drug stores. Sad but true.
Thanks for the encouragement Jim! It’s always nice to find likeminded people.