The Best 365 Products at Whole Foods, According to a Food Writer

As a self-proclaimed foodie, walking into Whole Foods is like walking into heaven. Alas, my bank account doesn’t always approve. But just because I can’t afford to do all of my shopping there, that doesn’t stop me from picking up some choice 365 items (Whole Foods’ private label) when I stop in to grab specialty products I can’t get on my regular shopping trips to Kroger. 

With over 3,000 products in the 365 line to choose from, it could take you a while to figure out which match up to the name-brand products you love. I’ve done the comparison and am sharing the 365 products I don’t leave Whole Foods without. 

1. Ready-to-Eat Breakfast Foods

If your weekday mornings are anything like mine, a quick, nutritious meal that will go over well with the entire family is a must. My go-to’s include those packed with protein, like the 365 Buttermilk Protein Waffles. They come in a box of six for $3.69 and taste great with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey. If you’re a Kodiak power waffle devotee, you’ll find these comparable in terms of protein and taste—and less expensive, too.

Yogurt is another food that shows up at my breakfast table several times per week. And with dairy prices rising, I opt for a 32-ounce container of 365 Organic Whole Milk Plain Yogurt for $3.99—as much as $2 less than name-brand yogurts. You might be lulled into choosing a similar product just because it boasts the word probiotic on the label, but keep in mind that almost all yogurts (including this one) contain the gut-supporting microbes.

2. Snacks

Hummus isn’t hard to make but it does require tahini—a sesame-seed paste that not everyone keeps on hand—making store-bought a great option. Artisan hummus brands like Cava are delicious, though a 16-ounce container can set you back about $8. Or you can get an equal-size tub without sacrificing taste or quality when you grab a tub of 365 Organic Original Hummus ($4.99). And because no dip is complete without something crispy to scoop it up, I always pick up a bag of 365 Organic Restaurant Style White Corn Tortilla Chips. They’re $2.70 for 14 ounces and taste similar to Late July’s version for less than half the cost.

3. Canned Fish

I’m a fan of fish but sometimes I just don’t want to deal with cooking a fillet from scratch. That’s why I always keep canned fish on hand. I use it as a quick protein-packed topping for salads or eat it right out of the can. My favorites are 365 Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon ($4.49 for 6 ounces) and 365 No Salt Albacore Tuna in Water that’s pole and line caught (like Wild Planet's but much less expensive) at 5 ounces for $2.99. Then you can make Baked Garlicky Salmon Balls and One-Pot Pasta with Tuna, both which are made with primarily pantry ingredients.

4. Pantry Staples

Keeping my pantry stocked with staples is one of my top tips for whipping up a quick and hearty meal when you’re in a rush—you’d be surprised how quickly rice and canned beans (and a few vegetables) can turn into a tasty meal. Plus, most have long shelf lives so you don’t have to worry about them going bad anytime soon. I always have a few cans of 365 Unsalted Organic Black Beans on hand (15.5 ounces for $1.59), as well as a few cartons of 365 Organic Low Sodium Vegetable Broth (32 ounces for $2.49) to flavor my rice. Yes, you can often snag a can of name-brand beans for not much more but I’ve seen comparable broths priced at triple that of 365’s version.

5. Frozen Dinners

Frozen dinners may not be as budget-friendly as rice and beans, but they’re almost always cheaper than eating out. And if you have kids in the house, you know that having a frozen cheese pizza in the freezer at all times is almost a requirement. 

It’s hard to go toe-to-toe with Rao’s, but the 365 Four Cheese Rising Crust Pizza (17.3 ounces for $6.99) is a crowd-pleaser. You’ll love the tangy cheese blend and the fact that it’s half the cost of its competition.

And if you often crave takeout from your local Chinese restaurant, don’t leave Whole Foods without picking up a box of 365 Vegetable Potstickers ($3.99 for 8 potstickers). They’re relatively low in sodium (250 milligrams per serving) compared to a serving of another brand sold at Whole Foods, Feel Good Foods, which has 420 mg—plus they’re almost half the price. And you can turn them into soups, stir-fries and more.