Lifestyle | Health & Wellness

Low FODMAP Shopping At ALDI

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We decided to jump in and explore Low FODMAP Shopping at ALDI and are happy to report that we came out with a cart full. I have to admit, that even though we have a local ALDI, I had not been a regular shopper – until now. That has now changed. This article is about how to shop at ALDI if you are following the low FODMAP diet, and how the Fig app can help facilitate the process.

Low FODMAP Shopping at Aldi

What Is ALDI?

ALDI is a German supermarket chain with over 10,000 stores in 20 countries. 2000 of those stores in 36 states are in the U.S. They are known for their low prices, constantly rotating weekly deals and even non-food items such as home goods, apparel and kitchenware. The weekly deals are referred to as ALDI Finds and are typically in the center aisles of the stores.

ALDI logo
This is the ALDI logo.

While we will focus on foods items, I will just mention the Finds briefly. On a current trip there were seasonally scented candles, a wooden bar cart, an LED motion-sensor outdoor light, a heavy-duty dolly, fleece-lined clogs, a large airtight pet food storage container, all kinds of sheets and blankets.

ALDI finds sign

For the kitchen: cast iron pans, wooden cheeseboards, bamboo chopping block and ceramic-coated Dutch ovens, to mention a few. It is always worth a look. The prices tend to be great.

Exterior ALDI store

Why Shop At ALDI?

Speaking of prices, the main reason we hear from consumers as to why they shop at ALDI is because they say they save money on food and non-perishable items.

The main reason we hear from consumers as to why they shop at ALDI is because they say they save money on food and non-perishable items.

How Does ALDI Keep Prices Down

There are a variety of ways ALDI keeps prices down.

  • Bring a quarter! You use a quarter to access the large shopping carts and you get your quarter back when you return the cart.
  • Expect to see foods merchandized in a more casual way than you might be used to. For instance, fruits and vegetables might just be in a box that you reach down into.
  • Some of the produce isn’t as “pretty” as that at fancier supermarkets. You might pick and choose. For instance, I might buy potatoes at Aldi, but buy berries at another store as they will be fresher and last longer – but that is not always the case. Sometimes the berries are just fine. Use your judgement.
  • You also need to bring your own bags or boxes to put your purchases in (although they sometimes have boxes, too).
  • And you will be bagging/boxing your own purchases.

What Brands Does ALDI Carry?

ALDI has several house brands, including some that are organic, and you will find some name brands that are familiar. In the U.S. that might include Chobani, Campbell’s, Utz, Little Debbie, Gatorade, Quaker Oats, Smithfield and others.

ALDI produce
Take a look at the ALDI produce section.

ALDI House Brands

As you become familiar with ALDI you will begin to notice certain brand names coming up again and again. Just like Costco has their “Kirkland” house brand, ALDI has several house brands, each with a specific niche:

  • LiveGFree — gluten-free food
  • SimplyNature — organic food and beverage products 
  • Specially Selected — gourmet food products.
  • Fit & Active — healthier food fare
  • Little Journey — baby products
  • Mama Cozzi’s — frozen pizza and related products like pepperoni
  • Earth Grown – vegan items
  • Parkview — hot dogs, bacon and sausages
  • Park Street Deli – hummus, snacks (cheese and nut/fruit combos), and prepared products 
  • Kirkwood — fresh and processed meat and poultry products
  • Sea Queen — fresh and frozen seafood products
  • Little Salad Bar — salad and related items such as hummus and dips
  • Baker’s Corner — baking ingredients
  • Peanut Delight – peanut products. We tried the No-Stir Creamy Peanut Butter and liked it better than Skippy!
  • Friendly Farms — milks and non-dairy products
  • Stonemill — spices
  • Winking Owl — wine
  • Millville — cereal, bars and related products
  • Clancy’s — salty snacks
Aldi meats
You can find many meats, poultry and fish choices at ALDI, often for less money than your conventional supermarket.

Low FODMAP ALDI Shopping Tips

Let’s get to what you can find at ALDI for those following the low FODMAP diet and some strategies for getting the most out of your shopping trip.

We suggest going to ALDI first. Oftentimes they do not have every single item on our shopping list and this way we can save as much money as possible loading up our cart at ALDI, and then supplementing that shop at our local supermarket with the items we couldn’t find..

For instance, on a recent shop they did not have parsnips for our pot roast, or fresh cranberries (and it was right before Thanksgiving). You never know, but it pays to go there first and look.

Cooler at ALDI
We always check out the prices of cheese and dairy products when we go to ALDI.

Use Your Fig App

We highly recommend that you use your Fig smartphone app to help you shop at ALDI (as well as at Albertson’s, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Costco, Hy-Vee and over 60 markets).

After personalizing your Fig (please see our Q&A for more info) your Fig app will show you what is likely low FODMAP at ALDI and suitable for you. Take a look at a sampling of what Fig was able to show us as items to try:

  • Clancy’s Wavy Potato Chips
  • LiveGFree Gluten Free Pancake & Baking Mix
  • LiveGFree Gluten Free White Wide Pan Bread
  • LiveGFree Gluten Free Linguine
  • Fusion Asian Inspirations White Rice Ramen Noodles
  • Southern Grove Pecan Halves
  • Simply Nature Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
  • Simply Nature Organic Non-GMO Stir-In Paste Ginger
  • Simply Nature Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chip
  • Casa Mamita Crunchy Taco Shells
  • Simply Nature Organic Original Beef Jerky
  • Berryhill Sweet Orange Marmalade
  • Burman’s All Purpose Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
  • Burman’s Dijon Mustard Made with White Wine
  • Burman’s Real Mayonnaise 
  • Season’s Choice Quick Fries Extra Crispy French Fried Potatoes
  • Millville Quick Grits
  • Appleton Farms Pre-Sliced Boneless Natural Ham
  • Appleton Farms Premium Pork Sausage
  • Appleton Farms Gourmet Thick Sliced Bacon
  • Deutsche Kuche Smoked Knackwurst
  • Fusia Brown Rice Pho Noodles
  • Earthly Grains 100% Whole Grain White Quinoa
  • Parkview Jumbo Franks
  • Parkview Jumbo Cocktail Sausages
  • Park Street Deli Pork Carnitas
  • Specialty Selected Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
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Pick Up Basics

In addition to packaged items, there are many basics that are worth seeking out. Here are items we often buy at ALDI: 

  • Carrots
  • Spring Mix baby lettuces
  • Red grapes
  • Bananas
  • Persian cucumbers
  • French green beans
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Maple syrup
  • Assorted low FODMAP crackers
  • Corn tortilla chips
  • Pecans and walnuts
  • Raisins
  • Almond flour for baking
  • Big hunk of beef for pot roast
  • Meatball mixture (beef, pork, veal – YUM!)
  • Bacon
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Heavy cream
  • Eggs
  • Parmesan
  • Sliced turkey for lunch

The last time we went we spied some cocoa-coated almonds that we plan to try next time.

ALDI products in store
ALDI carries many organic products, including organic prepared foods found in the interior of the store.

The Takeaway

The ALDI supermarket chain has many items to offer those following the low FODMAP diet. In many instances you can save money by shopping at ALDI, which we know will be a boon to many. (You might also find our article on eating Low FODMAP on a budget to be helpful).

We find the best way to shop at ALDI is to use your Fig app to help assess items that fit your dietary needs (based upon personal the info you have entered in the app), and we suggest that you make it your first stop. This way if there are any items that ALDI doesn’t have, you can then pick them up at your regular supermarket.

So, bring a quarter for the shopping cart, gather your shopping bags together, fire up your Fig and try a shopping trip to ALDI.

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