Visit Trader Joe's for healthy food treasures. This charming grocery store is jam-packed with fruits, veggies, grains and proteins all ready for consumption.
But it can also be an obstacle when it comes to products loaded with sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. Here are some products to avoid next time you hit up the coffee shop.
Trader Joe's is an ideal grocery store to pick up healthy staples like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and lean protein. Just be mindful of processed items containing added sugar or excessive saturated fat and sodium content.
Dates are deliciously juicy and sweet fruits packed with nutrients such as fiber, vitamin B6, phosphorus and copper. Perfect as an afternoon snack or as part of sweet or savory recipes!
Strive for organic versions of produce whenever possible to reduce exposure to pesticides, and Trader Joe's offers an assortment of pre-washed and bagged greens that you can stock up on to get enough veggies into your daily meals - perfect for salads, omelets and more.
Peanut butter lovers will delight in these crunchy pretzel bites filled with an indulgent dollop of fresh, creamy peanut butter. Thanks to their devoid of sodium content and delicious taste, these healthy snacks offer an alternative option than extruded snacks that often contain high levels of sodium, sugar, and saturated fats.
Olivia Kinkade is a registered dietician who shops at TJ's for frozen foods and pre-cut vegetables to quickly prepare nutritious meals. She shares her recommendations via TikTok (@livkinkade).
Trader Joe's offers daily pantry essentials with an extra burst of convenience - condiments without high fructose corn syrup and cooking oil sprays free from chemical propellants are among the many offerings here, while they also stock nutrient-dense whole grains and protein options to stock your freezer with quick meals and snacks!
Avocados are an incredible super-food packed with heart-healthy fats and fiber. This frozen variety offers the convenience of staying fresh for up to one week after purchase - perfect for smoothies, toast spreads or mixing into salads and chili!
Trader Joe's version of this popular Japanese snack is vegan-friendly and low in calories, sodium, and sugar while providing ample amounts of protein and calcium.
This frozen dinner is an ideal solution for those who prefer avoiding restaurants. Packed with plant proteins and vegetables, and featuring significantly lower sodium than homemade versions of the dish. Ideal as an energy booster on busy days. Plus it contains potassium, iron and calcium!
Pumpkin spice lattes (PSLs) are one of the coziest fall beverages to indulge in, yet can contain excess amounts of sugar and calories that could increase your risk for high blood pressure, obesity and chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg may provide health benefits; however, their added sugar is what really puts PSLs over the edge. A 16-ounce PSL from Starbucks contains an estimated 380 calories and 50 grams of sugar; which exceeds the American Heart Association's daily recommendation that women consume no more than 25 grams.
Trader Joe's has made waves recently by popularizing cauliflower-based snacks like pizza crust and gnocchi. These easy, pre-cooked frozen vegetables provide satisfying carb replacements packed with antioxidants, fiber, and potassium - ideal for fast meal solutions on-the-go.
Registered dietician Olivia Kinkade--a regular customer at Trader Joe's who posts recipes under @livkinkade on TikTok--has long touted these pre-cooked veggies as ideal quick meals or snacks. Add them to smoothies, breakfast scrambles or add as an accompaniment with dinner for quick mealtime solutions!
Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry from Trader Joe's is another easy and healthy freezer staple, providing low calories, fat, and sodium content as well as providing an abundance of cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers, and fire-roasted corn. Add it into eggs for breakfast or rice with shrimp as an evening meal!
