We may not have Whole Foods (yet), but Santa Barbara has some quality health food stores. I live down the street from Ralphs supermarket so I walk there sometimes to get odds and ends. Even as a Registered Dietitian, I find it very hard to get healthy options at the general supermaket. You truly need to read all labels/ingredient lists because most products sneak in loads of preservatives, artificial ingredients, and hydrogenated oils (yuck). Since my family is on a budget, we shop at Trader Joe’s and the Farmer’s Market to get mostly everything. If I did not have a budget, I would prefer to shop at Lazy Acres or Whole Foods. They seem to have lots of healthy options and less of the bad foods trying to lure you in. I have a lot of nutrition clients who also shop at Gelson’s and Lassen’s. Gelson’s has a great deli meat selection that is nitrate free. Lassen’s has many gluten free products.
Betsy Markle, RD & Owner of Sunshine Wellness
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