This article was originally posted on My Life Out of Office on 10/27/2017. Whole Foods might get all the attention for healthy food options, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only option. We all love Trader Joe’s for a good grocery deal (definitely not for its insane lines that wrap around the aisles). But, TJ’s is more than just the most affordable option, they’ve been upping their game with healthy choices that your wallet and tastebuds can agree on. So, before you drop your *entire* paycheck at Whole Foods, stop by Trader Joe’s, and pick these up items first.
“Everything but the Bagel” seasoning
Let’s cut right to the chase, this seasoning is amazing. It’s only made up of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion and sea salt, but a shake or two really elevates your plate. Best on eggs or toast, but honestly it works on just about anything.
Honeycrisp apples
If you haven’t had the greatest gift of Fall yet, stop whatever you’re doing and treat yourself to one of the most delicious, expensive apples on the market. And if you don’t want to spend nearly $3 per apple, head to Trader Joe’s where you can get them for about half the price of anywhere else. If you’re not convinced about Honeycrisp, all of Trader Joe’s apples are a good deal!
Riced Cauliflower and Broccoli
Making veggies into fun shapes has been a steady trend the past few years, and it’s also a great way to get more vegetables onto your plate. Buying your veggies pre-riced will save you time (and a mess) in the kitchen. Perfect for whether you’re cooking up a stir-fry, or making a cauliflower pizza (which Trader Joe’s also sells frozen!).
Frozen berries
Sometimes, there’s a misconception that fresh berries are better than frozen ones when actually, frozen berries are frozen immediately after picking, so they retain peak nutrition until whenever you’re ready to eat them. Frozen berries at Trader Joe’s can be almost two times less expensive than at Whole Foods, and they sell organic and non-organic options.
Frozen burgers
Trader Joe’s is well-known for their abundance of frozen food options and meals, but their frozen burgers don’t seem to get the recognition they deserve. They are super easy to make and only have a few, wholesome ingredients in each. Their Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burger, Chipotle Chicken Burger, Salmon Burger and Tuna Burgers are all great options for making a quick, healthy meal without much prep or clean up.
Just a handful of nuts
Trader Joe’s sells nuts for a pretty decent or comparable price to most other stores, but where they really stand out, is with their their ‘just a handful’ pre-portioned packs. They have roasted or raw almonds and Oh My! Omega trail mix packs that are perfect for on-the-go snacking, or adding to a meal.
Nut butters
Trader Joe’s may definitively have the best deal on nut butters that you can find. Both the almond and peanut butters only contain nuts and salt (or no salt!) and nothing else. The almond butter is less than $6 which probably shouldn’t feel like a win, but it is if you’ve ever bought almond butter before.
* If you’re looking for fun-over-function, you can also find their Speculoos Cookie Butters in the same aisle.
Avocados
Even with Amazon’s new pricing at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s takes the win for the best priced avocados. It can be hit or miss if they’re rock hard or ready-to-eat, but if you’re willing to feel around, it will be worth it.
Did we miss something? Tell us what your favorite Trader Joe’s find is in the comments below!
What are your favorite things to buy from Trader Joe’s? Tell us in the comments!