Ah Trader Joes, my second home. I love it there, like a lot. When I was out-of-state at college and missing home I would go walk around Trader Joes until an employee asked me if I need help, because it just felt familiar and reminded me of home. It’s not as weird as it sounds, okay maybe it is. Anyway, I love it there. However, I do think people tend to look at it as like the little cousin to Whole Foods (the motherland). They don’t carry generic brands and have a fraction of the products most supermarkets do, so many fall into the trap of thinking that everything there is pretty much healthy. Sadly no. So I broke it down for you on the best of the best uniquely Trader Joes products, what’s worth buying there, the healthy and the just plain yummy.
Favorite Healthy options:
Peanut Butter with Chia and Flax seeds: I’m obsessed with this stuff. Seriously I’m not above just eating it out of the jar with a spoon. It’s affordable, tastier than plain peanut butter and devoid of sugar or extra add-ins. It’s so good in smoothies too.
Joes Lows wraps: Low carb and only 45 calories in these little cuties. They’re a nice small size, high in fiber and low in carbs and calories, perfect alternative to most wraps that are closer to the 180 calorie range.
Ancient Grain Super Seed Oatmeal: I love oatmeal in the winter and this stuff is next level. Oatmeal mixed with sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds and quinoa for an added protein boost is the perfect healthy start to chilly mornings.
Quest bars: While not uniquely Trader Joe’s products, you won’t find them at a better price than at Trader Joes, $2.39 can I get a Hell ya?!
Avocado 4 pack: Because avocado toast is life and you can’t beat the price.
Cilantro and Chive Yogurt Dip: This is like a healthier version of sour cream and onion dip, but somehow just as good. Seriously they’re taste twins, except this version has only low-fat yogurt, chives and garlic. Amen.
Quinoa Infused black Bean Chips: A better options to potato or corn chips, these guys are yummy but still give that satisfying salty crunch.
Kombucha: I love this, it’s priced better than Whole Foods and its so popular it’s almost always sold out, so grab it while you can, it’s truly the perfect summer drink. They only have 2 flavors but they’re both fire, so you can’t go wrong.
Side note, most things at Trader Joe’s are pretty affordable, but they can easily add up quickly, so choose your items carefully. Trader Joes doesn’t have sales so I tend to get my berries and fruit elsewhere. The veggies are a pretty fair price though, as is their Greek yogurt and cheese.
The Just Plain Yummy:
Cookie Butter Ice cream: Yes, it’s exactly how it sounds, the legendary cookie butter mixed in with ice cream. My sister bought a gallon once and we ate the whole thing in a day and a half. I’m not even sorry. Rough break up? Girls night? Friday night? I don’t care the occasion, when you need it, you need it.
Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread: Full disclosure I haven’t actually tried this but I’ve heard its out of this world.
Chocolate Coconut Almonds: They are everything. But anything dipped in chocolate is.
Seasonal Candy Cane JoJo’s: These taste like Christmas. They sell out super fast so I always buy them the second I see them on the shelves in November.
They also have amazing trail mix, I could honestly go on for days. Anyways, hope I inspired a trip to Trader Joes, just remember everything there isn’t necessarily healthy, but there are tons of good options. Happy shopping!
health heart & hustle 