I have only been inside of a Trader Joe's once in my life, but pretty much everyone I know LOVES it. This afternoon I'll be making my first trip and wanted to have some suggestions for your favorite Trader Joe's items. What's very reasonably priced and healthy? I do not purchase many pre-packaged items, as I try to eliminate hydrogenated oils, transfats, minimize sodium.
Hi K.,
Their instant chocolate pudding (I make it with almond milk) is out of this world. Even my super picky husband likes it :) It's a fun store to wander around in, you're bound to find something new every time.
Try going to the trader joe website and look at their most recent flyer .. scope out things that interest you.
Good luck and have fun!
W.
I asked this sort of thing about 1.5 years ago. Here is the link.
http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/16993281342466686977
We like the following:
kettle corn
alphabet cinnamon cookies
tempura chicken with sweet and sour sauce (frozen)
vegetable melange in seasoned butter sauce (frozen)
fat free fruit floes - all flavors (frozen)
cornbread mix
12 grain mini snack crackers
Joe-Joe cookies - like oreos (the peppermint ones are wonderful but usually only out during the holidays)
french chocolate truffles (holidays)
mini chicken tacos (frozen)
Remember: They will refund your money if you are unhappy with any product you purchased - opened or unopened.
I love, love, love Trader Joe's! As a general rule, they're pre-packaged items do not have transfat. Also, my hubby is on a VERY low-sodium diet, and Trader Joe's has a ton of low sodium food. They even provide a listing of this on their website!
Their food is also generally very reasonably priced! That's the beauty of Trader Joe's--high quality, relatively healthy foods at low prices. I also think they treat their employees extremely well. I believe they're paid a very good wage, and I know last summer one store near me sponsored a get-together for their employees at a nearby park!
That might explain why the employees are always so nice and helpful!
I'm so jealous--you're about to lose your TJ virginity! Have fun!
I always stock up on snacks for my toddler when we go. (ours isn't very close, sadly.) I love the freeze dried fruits, they aren't chewy like regular driend fruit. I am not comfortable giving that to my son yet because he might choke on it. But the freeze dried stuff he just loves. I always buy like 10 bags of the mangos for him. They are kind of expensive though. Their organic yogurt is about half the price of what I get at my regular grocery store. They have great juices. And I love the salsa and pasta sauce. I get Trader Jose's "Chunky Style", or "Salsa Autentica". I like Trader Giotto's Bolognese sauce. I haven't tried it yet and don't know how healthy it is, but the Beer Bread mix is supposed to be amazing. I plan to check it out next time I go.
As much as love Trader Joes, they are just like Whole Foods in that not everything is super healthy for you. You still need to check labels. But they are SO much cheaper than Whole Foods. And there is a larger selection of the healthy stuff. Most of their store brand items that I have tried are very yummy.
Taco Shells
Sprouted 7 grain bread
French Vanilla Yogurt
Pecan Praline Granola
They have some good wines as well
Mediterranean Hummus - This is AWESOME!!!
Dried Apricots
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I have not been disappointed with anything from Trader Joe's. Some of our staples are: fruit juice, cereal, cereal bars, frozen treats, frozen veggies and cookies and crackers.
well we get all of our coffee there, my teas and many great dark chocolate treats. greek yogurts and kefier for me and baby. olive oil, vinegars, jarred peppers, olives and many of their fun sauces. frozen veg and fruits
so pretty much anything and everything that i can
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