We’ve all had those moments where you’re standing in the grocery store examining a food product to figure out if its actually as healthy as it claims to be. The food industry has come up with all kinds of deceiving ways to cut costs and artificially enhance products, and as a consumer it can be very difficult to know exactly what you’re consuming. Not to mention wether the brands you’re purchasing are using eco-friendly and sustainable practices. In a traditional grocery store it can be an endless guessing game with no real answers.

Raley’s O-N-E Market is a new type of grocery experience where you can feel confident that you’re making legitimate healthy decisions. Every item they sell inside their stores has high quality ingredients, organic when possible, minimally processed and sustainably sourced.

In order to maintain their very high standards they don’t sell foods that contain anything on their banned ingredients list. This comprehensive banned ingredients list is very lengthy and covers all kinds of categories such as food, drinks, beauty and wellness, household supplies, home and garden and more. It truly is a one stop shop for everything on your shopping list!

Us local Sacramento folks are extra lucky because Raley’s O-N-E Market just opened up a new location in El Dorado Hills. We visited during the store opening and it was so shiny and new with an impressively large assortment of all kinds of healthy gems. Scroll through this blog post to see photos from our visit.

My Favorite Healthy Products to Shop from O-N-E Market

Romanesco Broccoli - I have been on the hunt for Romanesco broccoli since last year and I finally found it during our visit to the Raley’s O-N-E Market in El Dorado Hills. It can be best described as a cross between broccoli and cauliflower and it tastes so delicious when roasted with olive oil. It’s very hard to find so it’s a joyous occasion when I am able to bring one home.
Purple Asparagus - This is my first time buying purple asparagus, I honestly didn’t know it existed before. It’s sitting inside my refrigerator waiting to be cooked. I’ll let you know if it’s as good as the traditional green asparagus.
Organic Produce - Most grocery stores have a really small and sad selection of organic vegetables available. At Raley’s O-N-E Market it’s definitely one of the largest assortments I’ve ever seen in one place.
Fresh Salmon Fillets - In the past I often felt a sense of guilt when I ate fish because the oceans are so over-fished and many types of sea creatures are becoming endangered species. The seafood at Raley’s O-N-E Market has been vetted to make sure they come from sustainable sources. So I can eat my favorite grilled salmon dinner without the guilt.
Bone Broth Ingredients - I like to make bone broth from scratch in large batches and then freeze for later. With bone broth it’s really important to purchase a mix of organic grass-fed marrow and knuckle bones, which is really hard to find in traditional grocery stores. Raley’s O-N-E Market’s meat counter has a large selection of organic and grass-fed beef options.
Rainbow Radish - Another rare produce to find is rainbow radish and Raley’s O-N-E Market had a beautiful display of them. The vibrant colors and patterns will make any salad pop!
Runa Clean Energy Drink - We all know that Red Bull and Monster energy drinks are terrible for us, but sometimes we really crave that extra kick of caffeine. I love a Runa Tea Energy Drink when I’m getting ready to workout or I have a lot writing to do. Runa helps my mind to be awake and sharp and gives me a burst of energy for physical activity.
Free and Clear Soaps - My skin is allergic to soaps and detergents with artificial fragrances and chemicals. Because I’ve had many hive breakouts throughout my life, I only purchase soaps that are deemed “free and clear”. Raley’s O-N-E Market has a large assortment of hand soaps, dish soaps, laundry detergent and personal soaps that I could use without fear of an allergic reaction.
Pantry Items without Added Sugars - You may not realize it but the traditional big box brands that make processed pantry foods are filled with chemicals, preservatives and added sugars. Primal Kitchen is a brand I love because their packaged foods and condiments are actually free of all that junk and you can shop their products at Raley’s O-N-E Market.
Nosa Yogurt - It’s my daughter’s favorite snack, especially the lemon flavor. I often have to bribe her to finish her dinner with a lemon Nosa as a reward!
Family Lunch at the Deli Counter - Before we started shopping we enjoyed a leisurely sit-down lunch at the deli counter and cafe. There’s a huge variety of healthy food options and they can accommodate all kinds of dietary needs. My daughter loved the pizza and I had a side of kale salad and roasted rainbow carrots. Yum!

Banned Ingredients

Have you tried to read a modern food label lately? Many of the words are so foreign and unfamiliar because they are so far removed from natural food. As I mentioned above, Raley's O-N-E Market has a long list of banned ingredients and I’ve given an overview below.

Artificial Agents and Maturing Agents - Often used to alter and preserve foods, these additives are known to cause headaches, skin issues, digestive problems or other health problems.
Artificial Flavors and Colors - You’d be very surprised where food coloring can be found - in meat, drinks, sweets, snacks, condiments, etc.
Artificial Preservatives and Additives - Keeping food fresh longer on the shelf means more money for food manufacturers, but it comes at the price of having your food filled with preservatives.
Artificial Sweeteners - While too much added sugar is not a good thing, the answer is not to use artificial sweeteners either.
Artificial Emulsifiers - Artificial emulsifiers are used to hold together oil and water-based mixtures. You’ll find them in products such as mayonnaise, baked goods, butter spreads and more.
Dough Conditioners and Flour Treatment Agents - These dough conditioners and flour treatments make baking bread easier and cheaper, but reduces the quality of the end product. You’ll find them hidden in bread, baked goods, canned foods, canned fruits and vegetables, beer, flour and tortillas.
Antibiotics and Added Hormones - Added hormones can help livestock grow faster and bigger, while antibiotics are used to prevent livestock disease. You’ll mostly find them in meat and dairy products.
Flavor Enhancers - I know several people who’ve had bad reactions to consuming MSG. Best to eliminate it from your diet when possible.
Plastic Materials - Inside the Raley's O-N-E Market you’ll find significantly less plastic than other stores. They do their best to bring in brands who practice sustainable packaging practices.

Raley's O-N-E Market's Something Extra Health Loyalty Program

One-on-One Support from Registered Dietitians

There’s a lot of perks that come with the Raley's O-N-E Market Something Extra Health loyalty program. One of the biggest benefits is the available support from Registered Dietitians. If you have health concerns or are just curious and want to educate yourself, you can schedule an appointment at your local store. Don’t worry, it’s a FREE service with your membership!

Store Tours

There’s so many new things to discover inside a Raley's O-N-E Market store and it’s easy to overlook products that just may be perfect for you. With your Something Extra membership you can schedule a private store tour with a registered dietitian. They can customize a shopping list for you and you’ll leave with the perfect set of grocery products to address any health concerns you may have. There’s no extra cost or minimum amount you have to spend, yay!

Nutrition Classes

You can opt to either book a nutrition class virtually or in-person inside a store, whichever is more convenient for you. As a Something Extra member myself, I took a peek at the schedule and they’re currently offering the following topics: