Embarking on a whole food, plant-based diet doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Many believe that healthy eating is synonymous with expensive grocery bills, often picturing aisles of premium supermarkets. However, you might be surprised to discover budget-friendly options in unexpected places, like your local Dollar Tree. We, the Krocks, a couple passionate about whole food, plant-based living and weight loss (over 300 pounds lost together!), decided to explore the food aisles of Dollar Tree to see if eating healthy on a tight budget is truly achievable. We usually shop at stores like Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods, but after hearing from our community about Dollar Tree’s hidden gems, we had to investigate. Could we really find whole food, plant-based groceries at a discount store? Let’s dive into our Dollar Tree grocery haul and uncover the surprisingly healthy and affordable Dollar Tree Food finds.
Our mission was clear: find products that align as closely as possible with a whole food, plant-based diet. This means vegan – absolutely no animal products – and also minimally processed, ideally without added salt, sugar, or oil. We knew it would require careful label reading and some digging, but we were optimistic. And we were genuinely impressed with what we discovered!
Snack Zone Surprises: Healthy Bites at Dollar Tree
The “Snack Zone” in Dollar Tree is typically associated with processed and less nutritious options. We didn’t expect to find much in line with our whole food, plant-based goals there. However, diligent label checking revealed some surprisingly healthy snack choices. Here’s what we found in the Dollar Tree food snack aisle:
- Freeze Dried Strawberry Fruit Crisps: These light and crispy snacks are perfect for a quick, naturally sweet treat. With only one ingredient – strawberries – they are a fantastic option for adding fruit to your day.
- Freeze Dried Fuji Apple Fruit Crisps: Similar to the strawberry crisps, these apple crisps offer a satisfying crunch and natural apple flavor, again with just one ingredient: Fuji apples.
- Freeze Dried Banana Fruit Crisps: Banana crisps are another simple and delicious snack. They are a great source of potassium and fiber, made only from bananas.
- Carrot Veggie Chips: These carrot chips provide a savory, crunchy snack alternative to traditional potato chips and are made simply from carrots.
- Freeze Dried Apple Slices: Another variety of freeze-dried apples, these slices offer a different texture and are perfect for snacking or adding to trail mix.
- Mango Fruit Chips: These chewy mango chips are a tropical delight, offering a satisfyingly sweet and slightly tangy flavor, made solely from mangoes.
It’s crucial to always read the labels, even on freeze-dried fruit, as some varieties may contain added sugar. However, the ones listed above were pure fruit, making them excellent Dollar Tree food snack finds.
Nutty Discoveries in the Baking Aisle
Navigating the nut and trail mix section at Dollar Tree can be tricky, as many options contain added oils and salt. However, venturing into the baking aisle proved fruitful! We discovered raw nuts without added salt or oil, a fantastic and affordable source of healthy fats and protein. Our Dollar Tree food nut find was:
- Whole Almonds: These raw almonds are incredibly versatile. Enjoy them as a snack, chop them to add to salads, or use them in homemade plant-based milk. We also noticed pecans and walnuts available, expanding the healthy nut options.
These raw nuts are a budget-friendly way to incorporate healthy fats and protein into a plant-based diet.
Rice Cakes: A Versatile Base at Dollar Tree
While brown rice cakes might be considered slightly processed, the ingredient lists on the Dollar Tree options were surprisingly clean. With minimal added salt and no oil, we decided they were worth including in our Dollar Tree food haul as a versatile base for snacks or light meals:
- Brown Rice Cakes with Himalayan Sea Salt: These provide a simple and slightly salty base for toppings like avocado, hummus, or fruit.
- Brown Rice Cakes with 7 Super Seeds: Adding seeds enhances the nutritional value and texture of these rice cakes, making them slightly more filling and flavorful.
These rice cakes can be a pantry staple for quick and easy plant-based snacks and light meals on a budget.
Spice Rack Steals: Flavorful Finds at Dollar Tree
For Brian, the spice aisle was a highlight! Dollar Tree boasts a surprisingly diverse selection of spices. The key is to check labels for added salt, but we found several salt-free options to enhance our plant-based cooking without breaking the bank. Our Dollar Tree food spice haul included:
- Ground Paprika: A versatile spice for adding smoky and slightly sweet flavor to dishes.
- Onion Powder: Essential for savory dishes, adding a concentrated onion flavor.
- Chopped Chives: Perfect for adding a fresh, mild onion flavor to soups, salads, and dips.
- Salt-Free Seasoning Blend: A fantastic find for those watching their sodium intake, this blend adds complex flavor without added salt.
- Italian Seasoning: A classic blend for Italian-inspired dishes, pasta sauces, and more.
The salt-free seasoning blend was a particularly exciting discovery, offering a convenient way to season food healthily. Spices are a budget-friendly way to elevate plant-based meals.
Pantry Power: Essential Staples from Dollar Tree
Next, we explored pantry staples, curious to see if Dollar Tree offered truly cost-effective options compared to our usual stores like Aldi or Whole Foods. Price comparisons are on our to-do list for a future video, but for now, we were impressed with the availability of these Dollar Tree food staples:
- Quick Oats: Oats are a breakfast staple and a great source of fiber. Dollar Tree offers a budget-friendly option for oatmeal, overnight oats, and more. We picked up two packages!
- Long Grain Brown Rice: Brown rice is a versatile and nutritious grain. Finding it at Dollar Tree expands the options for affordable whole grains in a plant-based diet.
- Black Beans: Beans are a protein powerhouse and essential for plant-based eating. Dollar Tree offers dried black beans, perfect for soups, stews, and homemade bean burgers.
- Red Kidney Beans: Another versatile bean, red kidney beans are great in chili, salads, and curries.
- Great Northern Beans: These mild-flavored beans are excellent for creamy soups and stews or as a side dish.
- Pinto Beans: Pinto beans are a staple in many cuisines and are perfect for refried beans, tacos, and bean salads.
- Lentils: Lentils cook quickly and are packed with protein and fiber. Dollar Tree offers lentils, expanding affordable legume options. We grabbed two bags!
We were pleased to find a variety of dried beans and lentils, as the canned bean options at Dollar Tree typically contain added salt. Dried beans are a very economical way to incorporate plant-based protein into your diet.
Beyond beans and grains, we also found:
- Apple Cider Vinegar with “Mother”: Apple cider vinegar has various health benefits and culinary uses. Finding it with the “mother” at Dollar Tree is a bonus.
- Distilled White Vinegar: A pantry essential for cleaning, pickling, and cooking.
- Minced Garlic: Convenient minced garlic in a jar, perfect for adding flavor to countless dishes quickly.
These additional staples further enhance the possibilities for affordable plant-based cooking with Dollar Tree food.
Frozen Fruit Frenzy: Smoothie Supplies at Dollar Tree
The frozen food section was highly anticipated, especially after hearing recommendations from our audience. We were thrilled to discover a selection of frozen fruits, perfect for smoothies, desserts, and adding to oatmeal. Our Dollar Tree food frozen fruit haul included:
- Frozen Mangos: Tropical and sweet, frozen mangoes are excellent for smoothies, smoothie bowls, and snacks.
- Frozen Strawberries: A classic smoothie ingredient and versatile fruit for desserts and breakfast.
- Frozen Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants, frozen blueberries are great for smoothies, muffins, and oatmeal.
- Frozen Pineapple Chunks: Pineapple adds a tangy sweetness to smoothies and tropical dishes.
- Frozen Mixed Berries: A convenient blend of berries for smoothies, jams, and desserts.
We are excited to test the quality of these frozen fruits and see how they compare to pricier options.
Veggie Victory: Frozen Vegetables at Dollar Tree
The frozen vegetable selection was the most surprising and impressive part of our Dollar Tree trip! Finding a wide range of frozen vegetables at such an affordable price point opens up numerous possibilities for healthy, budget-friendly meals. Our Dollar Tree food frozen vegetable haul was extensive:
- Pepper Stir Fry: A convenient mix of peppers for stir-fries, fajitas, and more.
- Winter Blend: A mix of winter vegetables, perfect for soups, stews, and roasting.
- California Blend: A classic blend of broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, versatile for steaming, roasting, and stir-fries.
- Stir Fry Blend: Another stir-fry mix, likely with different vegetables than the pepper stir fry, offering variety.
- Broccoli Cuts: A staple vegetable, broccoli is versatile for roasting, steaming, soups, and stir-fries.
- Mixed Vegetables: A classic mix of vegetables, budget-friendly for soups, stews, and side dishes.
- Cut Corn: Corn adds sweetness and texture to soups, salads, and side dishes.
- Peas & Carrots: A simple and classic vegetable combination, versatile as a side dish or in mixed vegetable dishes.
- Riced Cauliflower: Riced cauliflower is a fantastic low-carb alternative to rice and versatile for various dishes. We were thrilled to find this in a separate trip to another Dollar Tree!
- Asparagus: Frozen asparagus is a surprising find, as asparagus can be expensive fresh. This offers a budget-friendly way to enjoy this nutritious vegetable.
The frozen vegetable selection at Dollar Tree is a game-changer for affordable and healthy plant-based eating.
Veggie Spring Rolls: A Dollar Tree Treat
Lastly, we found veggie spring rolls in the frozen section. While they do contain added oil and aren’t strictly in line with our usual whole food, plant-based approach, they are a dollar and a fun treat to try, especially air-fried!
- Veggie Spring Rolls: These spring rolls are a convenient and affordable appetizer or snack.
While not an everyday item for us, these spring rolls highlight that even at Dollar Tree, you can find plant-based treats for a very low price.
Dollar Tree Food: The Bottom Line Cost
The beauty of Dollar Tree is its simplicity: almost everything is a dollar! With 42 items in our haul, our total came to just $42 plus tax. This demonstrates the incredible potential for eating plant-based on a very tight budget using Dollar Tree food options.
What’s Next? Dollar Tree Food Challenge!
Having explored what Dollar Tree food options are available, we are now excited to challenge ourselves to a week of eating only groceries from Dollar Tree. This will be the ultimate test of quality and practicality. We’ll report back in a future video to share our experience and compare the quality to our usual grocery choices. Stay tuned for our Dollar Tree food challenge!
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and let us know in the comments what you want to see next in our “Plant-Based On A Budget” series!
