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Lifestyle

10 “WTF” Products You Can Only Buy at Whole Foods

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at LUC chapter.

Whether you’re a die-hard Whole Foods-goer, or can’t bring yourself to step foot inside the sometimes outrageously-priced health food haven, you know a “WTF” Whole Foods product when you see it. 

As a frequenter of Whole Foods, I understand the struggle of seeing a ridiculous food product on the shelves and not knowing whether to laugh at it or throw it in my basket. Rather than let the hilarity go to waste, I have compiled the most “WTF” Whole Foods products I found during my shopping trip for the sake of entertainment. 

1. Veganic Sprouted Ancient Maize Flakes

Whole Foods
Lauren Augustavo

First of all, I do not want to eat anything that has “ancient” in the name. Second, is “veganic” even a word? C’mon, Whole Foods, stop trying to be fancy—we know they’re just corn flakes. 

2. Boxed Water 

Whole Foods  espresso beer
Lauren Augustavo

Whole Foods has an alarmingly large variety of bottled water. There’s water with *extra* electrolytes, water in glass bottles (again, stop trying to be so fancy), and then there’s Boxed Water.

3. Guac-Kale-Mole 

Whole Foods  jam vegetable
Lauren Augustavo

Not only will I never understand the kale craze, I will never understand why Whole Foods thought it would be a good idea to ruin perfectly good guac?! 

Side note: If you are paying $8.99 for kale-infused guacamole, you seriously need to re-evaluate your life choices. 

4. Beef Tallow 

Whole Foods  mayonnaise condiment
Lauren Augustavo

“I could really use some Beef Tallow right about now!” – said no one ever. I didn’t realize any of the products above could be bought at a grocery store before shopping at Whole Foods, and in typical Whole Foods fashion, even the animal fats are sold in pretty glass jars. 

5. Pumpkin Spice Latte-Flavored Beer

Whole Foods  ale beer
Lauren Augustavo

I imagine this is what “basic white girls” drink at parties because with fall’s arrival comes the need for everything pumpkin-flavored. Although I am a believer in all things pumpkin, Whole Foods has gone too far this time.  

Whole Foods  beer pizza
Lauren Augustavo

6. Kelp Granules

Whole Foods  alcohol tea
Lauren Augustavo

In case people want a reason for their seafood dinner to taste even more like the ocean (not sure why they would), there’s Kelp Granules. This sounds like something that would only exist in the Spongebob Squarepants world of Bikini Bottom, but alas, it is sold at Whole Foods. 

7. Edible Flowers

Whole Foods  pepper sweet
Lauren Augustavo

Normally, when your food is described as “garden fresh,” it’s a good thing. However, when that “garden fresh” food is actually just a flower, you’ve made a mistake.  

Though I will admit that adding these Edible Flowers to your meal will make them 100% more Insta-worthy. 

8. Tea Cocktail Mix 

Whole Foods  alcohol liquor
Lauren Augustavo

The concept of this product is an interesting one. I suppose if you want to get tipsy at a tea party then this is the drink for you. But why is it in large, chalkboard-painted glass jugs? Whole Foods better rethink putting this product on a high shelf. 

9. Kale Littles 

Whole Foods
Lauren Augustavo

Again, Whole Foods, STOP SELLING SO MANY KALE PRODUCTS. I’m not completely sure what these “Kale Littles” are supposed to be disguised as. Chicken nuggets? Mushy bear-shaped salad? No thanks, Whole Foods.  

10. Elderflower-Infused Drinks 

Whole Foods  champagne wine
Lauren Augustavo

Besides the pretty packaging, I cannot think of a single reason anyone would buy this product. Have you ever heard someone say, “Ooh, I have a taste for some elderflower lemonade?” No.  

I think we all can agree that for the most part, Whole Foods is basically a gift to the world. The majority of their products are different and delicious, but those mentioned on this list are simply too bizarre to be bought.