I swear by Trader Joe’s. The colorful atmosphere and free samples may be charming but their supply of goodies keeps me around. Suddenly grocery shopping has become more of a treat than it has a chore... (maybe that’s just me). When it comes to grocery shopping it can be easy to be trapped into “low fat” labels practically begging to be grabbed off the shelf. Luckily, Trader Joe's is lined with a plentiful of options to keep you on track. With that being said, here’s my cheat sheet of just a few of Trader Joe’s greatest gems to add to your healthy lifestyle.
1. Ezekiel Bread.
Ezekiel bread is literally a gift from the bread Gods. With the reputation that carbs (bread taking the lead) are going to hurt your fitness goals, this perfect loaf will prove otherwise. Ezekiel Sprouted bread is made from whole grains with ingredients you can actually read! (Quick Tip: if you can't read the ingredients on the label, that is your first red flag.) And if you're not already in awe by this heavenly loaf, it is all organic.
2. Cauliflower Pizza Crust.
This new product is soon to win over the hearts of foodies everywhere. FINALLY a pizza you can eat and not feel guilty about. Aside from the guilt free factor, you can eat pizza while feeling like you're getting your veggie fix. Save yourself time in the kitchen by buying this gem!
3. Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning.
Yes, we love everything bagels, but they don't always fit into our summer slimdown. Thankfully enough for the creative geniuses working for TJ's our favorite flavor can be added to anything. This seasoning will make any breakfast toast or lunch pop with flavor. Say goodbye to boring chicken recipes!
4. Pineapple Tidbits.
Frozen fruit is a fabulous buy for anyone with a hectic schedule or looking to save some extra moola. As if cutting a pineapple isn't already a task in itself now these slices make your days better. Use them in your smoothies, on top of yogurt, or even just to snack on! A perfect cool snack to enjoy by the beach.
5. 21 Seasoning Salute.
Imagine 21 of your favorite flavors being combined into one for your cooking pleasure. Well, thankfully Trader Joe's always knows how to make us happy. This 21 seasoning salute will upgrade any of your recipes to the next level. Best part? Unlike other tasty seasonings, this one has 0mg of sodium! Spice it up!
6. Carrot Spirals.
Another sneaky way to squeeze veggies into your meals is through making them look like pasta. These frozen carrot spirals won't only save you the time from individually peeling your carrots but will make you feel good too. Saute them on the stove with a sprinkle of Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute and you'll never miss 'real' spaghetti again.
7. RX Bars.
It's so easy to believe that protein bars are a healthy snack or alternative to incorporate into your daily lifestyle, but they can be some of the worst things to put in your body. Most bars are full of added sugars, high in calories, and contain ingredients that you shouldn't be eating in the first place. RX bars are
8. Frozen Organic Riced Cauliflower.
If you're not already sensing the pattern here, Trader Joe's is literally the best at making your life easier when it comes to getting your daily serving of veggies. One of my favorites is their frozen riced cauliflower because it can be used for almost anything. I add it to my smoothies, oatmeal, or even use it as a side for extra of veggies!
9. Organic Chia Seeds.
Chia seeds are a must for that extra boost of fiber, iron, and calcium! These little superfoods are amazing for your digestive and heart health and you won't even taste them when added to your favorite meals. Throw some in Trader Joe's Plain Greek Yogurt or your post-workout smoothie for glowing skin!
10. Black Cold Brew Coffee.
Although spending $5 on coffee from Starbs every day is great, Trader Joe's has a solution for Monday's that won't break your bank. Canned cold brew that you can take with you on the go. No other ingredients are hidden in these baby cans beside water and coffee! If you need a little more sweetness in your life, they also have a french vanilla flavor.
11. Organic Peanut Butter.
Peanut butter, ah, a girl's best friend... well mine, anyway. Peanut butter is another treat that people can get confused for healthy! There are brands who prefer that their PB tastes better than it actually is for you. Fair... but what more do you need in your peanut butter besides peanuts? Rather you're a creamy, crunchy, or salted PB fan don't be tricked into sneaky ingredients!
12. Matcha Green Tea.
The hype over Matcha Tea has blown up within the past couple years. Green tea had already been idolized for its numerous health benefits and great taste. Now matcha has swooped in with even more yummy nutritional value and a natural way to get your caffeine fix! Trader Joe's sells these Matcha packets so you can make your favorite latte at home, or even as an addition to your breakfast!