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While it’s nice to be able to shop at Trader Joe’s or Costco, the truth is, a lot of us don’t live close to these stores. Almost everyone, however, can easily get to a Walmart. For all of its faults, the popular chain store is certainly convenient and carries pretty much anything and everything you could want or need. Here are a few shopping tips on what to get at Walmart, and what to avoid! Go ahead and read through the list before going on your next Walmart run.

Oils


Sure, your go-to cooking oil of choice might be vegetable oil or olive oil, but hear us out. Avocado oil is super heart-healthy, it helps lower bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol, plus, it has no flavor. Win-win! The price of avocado oil at Walmart is really low, so make sure to grab some on your next visit. You can also pick up some coconut oil, but make sure to get the virgin coconut oil, not the refined oil. There are a ton of uses for coconut oil in your beauty routine, and even around the house.

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Butter


If you’re anything like us, then butter is definitely a staple ingredient in your cooking and baking. You may be tempted to grab the cheaper stick of margarine, but that would be a mistake! Not only is margarine loaded with all kinds of fillers and bad fats, but it really takes away from your recipes. If you’ve never tried Kerrygold butter, you’re in for a treat! Walmart carries this Irish butter at a low price. Since it’s a European butter, the fat content is higher, which is a good thing! Trust us, you’ll be able to tell the difference. Aside from margarine, you’ll want to avoid butter spreads. Even ones that say they are made from healthy oils like avocado! The spreads have to have a lot of fillers and cheap oils mixed in to make them soft. Long story short – just don’t do it!

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Meat


When it comes to purchasing meat, there are many different schools of thought. According to chef and health activist, Bobby Parrish, grass-fed beef, while more expensive than corn-fed beef, is significantly better for you. Not only are there a lot more vitamins and minerals in the meat itself, but ounce for ounce, grass-fed beef has fewer calories. Bottom line: grass-fed beef or bison over grain-fed beef. As for chicken… well, Walmart maily boasts of “Antibiotic Free” chicken, but in reality, these chickens have had antibiotics their entire lives, any only within the last six months have they been “antibiotic free.” So, it’s suggested you purchase chicken elsewhere, like Costco or Trader Joe’s.

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Ice Cream


We’re huge fans of ice cream in all of its glorious forms. However, for those who can’t do dairy, there is a wonderful solution! In the last few years, there has been an explosion of dairy-free ice cream alternatives, but most of them are lacking that “creamy” texture. These pints and bars from SO Delicious are made from cashew milk, which brings that rich, creamy texture to the final product in a way that coconut milk can’t. At Walmart, these items are around $4.50, whereas they are around $6.50 at other stores. So if you see ’em, grab ’em!

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Protein Bars


Protein bars are convenient for those times when you’re on the go and need a little boost of energy. However, you may be surprised to learn that most of the popular brands of protein bars are loaded with sugar. Some brands, like Clif Bars, have up to 22 grams of sugar per bar. To put that in perspective, the daily recommended sugar intake is 25-35 grams. Crazy! So, be sure to read the back of the box. RX is a great brand to try if you’re looking for a healthy protein bar!

Watch the video below for more things to buy, and what to avoid at Walmart!

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