Let’s be honest: the phrase clean eating gets thrown around like confetti, but when you’re standing in the grocery aisle, staring at shelves of $10 powders and mystery grains, it can feel… confusing.
That’s why I put together a clean-eating grocery list that doesn’t try to reinvent your entire fridge but also doesn’t rely on just oats and eggs. This list blends comfort-food essentials with fun additions to keep meal prep interesting and budget-friendly.
It works whether you’re trying to build a healthy food grocery list, pull off a $50 grocery list for a week, or simply get better at healthy grocery shopping that doesn’t end with wilted spinach and regret. Let’s make food planning clean, easy, and doable.
1. Kimchi
Tangy, spicy, and full of gut-loving probiotics, kimchi is the flavor bomb your grain bowls never knew they needed. I love tossing a scoop into rice bowls or scrambled eggs for an easy flavor upgrade.
It’s also great for gut health thanks to the natural fermentation. So yes, you’re basically feeding your microbiome a spicy supermodel.
2. Whole Wheat Bread or Wraps
Whole wheat bread and wraps are meal prep heroes. They’re fiber-rich, satisfying, and make healthy sandwiches or wrap lunches effortless. I like to keep a pack in the freezer so I never run out mid-week.
Look for options with whole grains listed first on the ingredient label, minimal added sugar, and at least 3g of fiber per serving. Bonus points if it’s soft enough to roll without cracking.
3. Celery Root (Celeriac)
This gnarly root veggie is surprisingly versatile. It mashes like potatoes but with a fresh, herby twist. Roast it, grate it into slaws, or cube it into soups for a subtle celery flavor.
Bonus: it’s full of antioxidants. It fits right into paleo, Whole30, and low-carb meal prep plans without tasting like cardboard.
4. Sorghum
Sorghum is a chewy, nutty grain that gives brown rice a run for its money. It holds up beautifully in meal prep, works well in salads, and adds a bit of bite to soups or veggie bowls. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free.
Oh, and if you’re doing healthy grocery shopping on a budget? Sorghum is a total score. It’s affordable, shelf-stable, and seriously underrated. Time to give this grain its spotlight moment.
5. Rolled Oats
Rolled oats are a breakfast staple for a reason. They’re easy to dress up with fruit, spices, or yogurt. I also use them in muffins, pancakes, and even homemade granola bars.
And let’s talk budget: oats are hands-down one of the cheapest whole grains you can buy. Perfect for your budget grocery list, your healthy food grocery list, or your “I forgot to grocery shop but I have oats” panic moments.
6. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are basically cozy comfort in a skin. Roast them with a bit of cinnamon, mash them with olive oil, or stuff them with beans and veggies.
They’re budget-friendly and full of fiber, beta carotene, and that natural sweetness we all love. Sweet potatoes are full of complex carbs, meaning they give you steady energy without that post-carb nap crash.
7. Chicken Breast
Chicken breasts are the blank canvas of clean eating. They are lean, versatile, and ready to take on whatever flavor you’re vibing with this week.
I batch cook it with simple spices and use it all week in wraps, salads, and bowls. Just don’t forget to marinate. It makes all the difference.
8. Golden Berries (Dried)
Golden berries are tart, chewy, and add the perfect zing to salads, trail mix, or yogurt bowls. They’re rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, and they feel like a little luxury without the price tag. A handful goes a long way.
They also store well, making them a low-waste, high-flavor add-on to your weekly clean eating grocery list. When I want to elevate a salad or give my snack mix a little gourmet flair, golden berries are the first thing I reach for.
9. Lemons
Lemons bring brightness to everything from salad dressings to roasted veggies. I also use them to deglaze pans, freshen up soups, and sometimes just to make my water bottle more bearable. One fruit, endless functions.
They’re loaded with vitamin C, support digestion, and have natural antibacterial properties. But let’s be real, I also just love how fresh they make everything taste.
10. Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole grain classic that works with pretty much everything. I like to batch cook it with a bay leaf for flavor and keep it in the fridge for easy bowls and sides. It’s affordable, filling, and fiber-rich.
From a clean eating grocery list perspective, brown rice is budget-friendly, shelf-stable, and wildly versatile. It stretches across meals, absorbs whatever flavors you throw at it.
11. Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are tiny nutritional powerhouses. I sprinkle them on toast, blend them into smoothies, and even stir them into oatmeal. They’re packed with protein and omega-3s. No cooking required.
If you’re working on a healthy grocery shopping routine that actually fits into your life, hemp seeds are one of those things you buy once and wonder how you ever lived without.
12. Tempeh
Tempeh is tofu’s cooler, nuttier cousin. What I like best is that it’s firmer, funkier, and way more satisfying to chew. Made from fermented soybeans, it’s packed with plant-based protein and gut-friendly benefits thanks to the fermentation process.
And unlike tofu, tempeh has texture. It holds up in stir-fries, crisps up in the pan, and adds bite to sandwiches or wraps.
13. Zucchini
Zucchini is the ultimate clean eating chameleon. It blends into anything, bulks up meals without adding heaviness, and cooks faster than you can say “what’s for dinner?”
I always keep a couple on hand because they’re just so dang easy to work with. Plus, they’re super budget-friendly.
14. Tahini
Tahini adds creamy richness to savory and sweet dishes alike. I mix it with lemon and garlic for a dressing or drizzle it on roasted veggies and grain bowls. It’s earthy, filling, and adds serious flavor.
I also stir it into oatmeal with cinnamon for a savory-sweet twist, or spread it on toast with honey for a snack that feels fancy without trying. It’s a staple in my healthy food grocery list because it’s rich in healthy fats, iron, and calcium.
15. Chia Jam (or Make Your Own)
Store-bought jam? Usually loaded with sugar. Homemade chia jam? Easy, fresh, and borderline genius. All you need is fruit (fresh or frozen), a splash of lemon juice, and chia seeds. Mash, mix, chill and you’ve got a naturally thickened jam with fiber and omega-3s.
I make mine in small batches with berries that are about to go soft in the fridge. Blueberries and raspberries are my go-tos.
16. Almonds or Mixed Nuts
I keep a jar of mixed nuts on the counter for snack emergencies. They’re crunchy, satisfying, and loaded with healthy fats and protein. Bonus: they travel well and don’t spoil quickly.
From a healthy food grocery list perspective, they’re not exactly cheap, but a little goes a long way. Grab them in bulk and portion them out. You’ll snack smarter without thinking twice.
17. Nut Butter (Peanut, Almond)
Nut butters are one of the best ways to add richness and healthy fats to meals. Spread on toast, stirred into oats, or eaten straight off the spoon, it always hits the spot. Choose unsweetened for the cleanest option.
The best nut butters are just nuts + maybe salt. That’s it. No added sugar, hydrogenated oils, or sketchy preservatives needed to make it delicious.
18. Quinoa
Quinoa cooks fast, tastes great, and makes you feel like you’ve got your life together. It’s a complete protein that works in salads, breakfast bowls, and even baked goods. I cook it in broth for extra flavor.
Celiac? Sensitive? Just not vibing with gluten? Quinoa’s got your back without sacrificing texture or flavor. Packed with magnesium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, quinoa is basically a multivitamin with better taste and zero pill swallowing.
19. Coconut Aminos
Coconut aminos are my clean alternative to soy sauce. Slightly sweet, gluten-free, and lower in sodium, they’re perfect for stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces. I use them whenever I need a savory kick.
Compared to regular soy sauce, coconut aminos bring the umami vibes with way less salt. That means your heart (and taste buds) will thank you.
20. Cottage Cheese
High-protein, low-sugar, and weirdly delicious, cottage cheese deserves more love. I eat it with fruit for breakfast or with veggies for a savory snack.
It’s also a great base for dips or a secret ingredient in pancakes. Strong bones, better energy, and a happy nervous system? Cottage cheese said yes to all that.
21. Broccoli
Broccoli is a weeknight MVP. Roast it until crispy, steam it with lemon, or stir-fry with garlic, it works every time. It’s rich in fiber, vitamins, and makes me feel like I’ve got my life together, at least food-wise.
Broccoli is rich in compounds like sulforaphane, which your liver loves. Think of it as the spa treatment your body didn’t know it needed.
Conclusion
Here’s the truth: a clean eating grocery list doesn’t have to feel like punishment. You don’t need to spend a fortune or become a label-reading detective. You just need a mix of simple, nutrient-rich foods.
Some that you know, and some that might surprise you to make weekly meal prep smoother, tastier, and actually kind of exciting. Now go forth and fill that cart like the meal-prepping genius you are.