Readers have been asking more and more what real food products to buy at Trader Joe’s, so I thought I’d just turn the discussion into a blog post! First of all, I don’t do all my shopping at Trader Joe’s (I get produce, dairy, and other items at Earth Fare and the farmers’ market), but I do go there every couple weeks for some staples that in some cases I can’t get anywhere else. Secondly, I know Trader Joe’s is touted as a health food store, but just like the rest of them they still sell a whole lot of (organic, gluten-free, vegan, multigrain, etc.) junk food! A reader asked me once if there was anywhere she could shop for food without having to scrutinize labels and just buy anything that’s available (while still avoiding processed food). To be honest the closest you are going to get to a place like that is the farmers’ market, and even then I still like to ask if they spray chemical pesticides or use synthetic fertilizers on their produce. So long story short, you pretty much always have to have your guard up…and that even includes shopping at Trader Joe’s!
Before I dive right into the products though I want to be sure to tell you about two of our sponsors. Our sponsors are what keep this site going for free so we really appreciate it when you send them some love. :) First there’s Real Salt that’s produced without additives, chemicals, or heat processing of any kind. Real Salt has a pinkish tint with flecks of color from more than 60 naturally occurring trace minerals. All salt is not created equal so you should definitely check them out.
I’d also like to make sure you know about Tattler’s BPA-Free Reusable Canning Lids. If you haven’t finished canning all your summer produce yet then now is the time! I canned some green tomato relish myself last weekend and it was super nice having the Tattler lids on hand because to be honest I have trouble keeping track of which Ball lids have been used before or not. :) If you want to give them a try be sure to use coupon code “100Days” for 5% off! And now back to Trader Joe’s products…
What I buy regularly at Trader Joe’s…
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Trader Joe’s Whole-Wheat Pitas
Finding decent bread products at the grocery store is no easy task. Most people have to go to a bakery or make it themselves in order to have 100% whole-grain bread made with only 5 or 6 ingredients, which is why I was so excited when I figured out that these Trader Joe’s pitas fit the bill. It’s so great to have an alternative to regular sandwich bread…because I like to switch things up every now and then!
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Trader Joe’s Sliced Havarti Cheese
I like the convenience of pre-grated cheese, but not the powdery additive that’s used as an anti-caking agent to keep it from sticking together (cellulose – made from wood pulp), which is why I think pre-sliced cheese is the perfect middle-ground. It’s super quick and easy without any unwanted additives…because no matter how hard I try I cannot get my cheese slices this perfect and uniform. Plus I am learning that havarti is good on just about everything (including those pitas that I just mentioned above!). :)
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Trader Joe’s Organic Hummus
It would appear that I am creating a delicious pita sandwich here with these first three items! Sure, I like to make homemade hummus, but I don’t always have time and this is the only organic version that I can easily find. They no longer carry organic hummus (to my knowledge) at Earth Fare, which is again where I do my main shopping.
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Coconut Oil
I can find organic coconut oil elsewhere, but not at the TJs price of only $5.99! Now that’s a deal compared to around $10 at other stores.
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Yogurt
Sometimes it can be a challenge to find yogurt that meets all my criteria…organic, whole-milk, plain, and reasonably priced! Now if yogurt is on sale at the other stores it’s the same price as the Trader Joe’s stuff, but when comparing regular prices this one is a little bit cheaper.
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Honey
It may not be local honey, but once again it’s reasonably priced! I normally buy big glass jars of local honey from Earth Fare or the Farmers’ Market, but for convenience I do like to have one squeeze bottle around for when we need just a little (on oatmeal for example).
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Nuts and Seeds
Speaking of cheaper…you cannot beat the price of nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pine nuts, pecans, etc.) and seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, etc.) at Trader Joe’s. BUT I will say that price sometimes comes at the cost of quality. Earlier this year I noticed a few bags of our Trader Joe’s cashews smelled and tasted funky. I tried using them anyway and they pretty much ruined our whole batch of granola. Nuts may be more expensive out of the bulk bins at Earth Fare, but at least I can do a quick quality check. I do know that Trader Joe’s does accept returns so you could still roll the dice and try to save money on their nuts and seeds…and just return them if they don’t work out.
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Coffee/Espresso
I save lots of money stocking up on coffee and espresso from Trader Joe’s whenever I am there! Organic coffee can be a big ticket item elsewhere.
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Three Buck Chuck
Yes, guilty as charged. We put a great deal of effort into selecting the highest quality food available and then we wash it down with cheap wine. What can I say…we are definitely not perfect! It’s not that we don’t enjoy (or want) more expensive wine it just doesn’t help the budget if you know what I mean. [UPDATE: Since writing this post I’ve switched to the organic wines that Trader Joe’s offers instead of “3 Buck Chuck.”] –
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What I buy occasionally at Trader Joe’s…
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Whole-Grain Pretzels
There are not many 100% whole-wheat pretzel options out there. These contain corn syrup (although not much), which is definitely less than ideal, but sometimes beggars can’t be choosers. So every couple of months we’ll pick up a bag of these just to keep our school lunches interesting!
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Lara Bars
These are available at quite a few places now…Target, mainstream grocery stores, all the health food stores, etc, but once again it’s hard to beat the price at Trader Joe’s. So if I am there and happen to think about it I pick some up.
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Ak Mak Crackers
These are one of our favorite brands of crackers because they are both whole-grain and organic! I can buy these elsewhere, but I do sometimes get these from Trader Joe’s as well.
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Cheese
It all comes back to price. Trader Joe’s has some of the best prices on cheese (which can get pretty expensive elsewhere), but to be honest their selection isn’t my first choice when it comes to taste. So depending on how the budget is stacking up at the end of the week I sometimes go for their cheese as a cheaper alternative.
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What non-processed foods do you like to buy at Trader Joe’s?
Whole Grain Pumpkin Muffins
the frozen bags of mixed red, yellow, green peppers! the only place i can find them without added onions.
Sliced cheese? Get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-Cheese-Plane/dp/B00004OCJM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1348780964&sr=8-4&keywords=oxo+cheese+knife I have had mine for over 8 years, and I use it nearly daily. That being said, the closest Trader Joe’s is over 4 hours from us…
Okay, how excited am I, that you showed FULL FAT yogurt?! I’ve been wishing for some, as I love yogurt, and recently lamenting to my family about not having full fat. This is awesome! I was also hoping to find it so my 1 year old can have it! He’s got lots of energy and I like to give him full fats and things with yummy calories, because he’s a grazer. Thank you1!!!!!!!!
Peggy
Peggy- It is so hard to find full fat yogurt, huh? And if you ask for it people look at you like you have 3 eyes!! Another brand I adore is Straus Family Creamery. Full fat, organic and grass-fed. They also have ice cream that is supposed to be yummy, but I haven’t tried it yet. But their yogurt? I want to bathe in it!!
You can get organic coconut oil and Lara Bars at costco for super cheap too!
I really like their almond butter!
Question – I looked at Coconut Oil at Trader Joe’s and couldn’t find the term “unrefined” anywhere on the jar. So I assumed that it IS refined so I didn’t buy it. Does anyone for sure one way or another? Real unrefined organic coconut oil can be used for SO many uses other than cooking, so I want to buy a 1 for all, if you know what I mean.
Costco sells organic unrefined cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil. The brand is Nutiva. It comes in a big 78 fl oz container for $21.49.
Kathryn – According to Trader Joe’s, it’s cold pressed and filtered and no chemicals or bleaches are used. You can read more here.
They have fabulous tortillas that have maybe 4 ingredients. I love making quesadillas for lunch and roping them with homemade salsa.
I cant imagine coconut oil for only $5 a jar! Here in Alberta, (Canada) the cheapest I can get it is for 14.99 a jar!
We get Castile soap there. It’s the best price I can find!
kettle corn! Its an occasional splurge but it is soooooo good.
So many things though they don’t all follow the non-processed rules, but they are great alternatives for our family! And you CAN shop there knowing their brand doesn’t contain GMO ingredients, which is a big plus.
Almond butter–I was making my own from Costco almonds, but I don’t know if they are GMO-free, so back to TJs brand.
Hormone-free cheese–Best price on cheddar and havarti that I’ve found!
Mini Cinnamon Raisin Bagels–These probably have too many ingredients for ya’ll, but my kids are over-the-moon for these. So they are a special treat at our house.
Turkey Hot Dogs–Least expensive hot dog option unless I have a coupon for Applegate.
Vinegars
Jelly Beans–We use these for potty training, while others use m&ms. I will also be eating these instead of drinking the HFCS and dye junk for my gestational diabetes test.
Yogurt Kefir/Lassi–The mango is delicious!
Frozen mango, pineapple, organic berries, and organic corn
We used to get their pears every time for a whopping $2.50 2/lb bag. Months ago, they disappeared along with bagged organic apples. The store said they were switching to a domestic source, which is great, I guess. But I assume when the finally show back up, the price will be a lot higher. Our family hasn’t had pears in months because we can’t do the price at the hoity toity health food store, and pears are so high on the DD.
I noticed that too with the bagged organic apple and bagged organic pears. I went this weekend and they are back! Still at a great cheap price. I was so excited!
Hi Stacy. I was there today and saw organic apples and pears. I honestly didn’t take note of the price, but, they are back. And, I did think they said product of USA. Jill
So thoughtful of you to update! You are right! Organic Gala 2 lb. “WA Extra Fancy” $2.49
I buy most of my organic produce there, applegate hot dogs, dried fruit for my kids, nuts, eggs, sour cream, tortillas, pita, pretzels, peanut butter and jelly. I live in Washington state we dont have the same store as you. We have whole foods and PCC but its expense. I also shop at Fred Meyer they have good organic produce selection that is well priced. What do you think about the honey wheat pretzels at Trader Joes? I know they have more ingredients then you would prefer.
Hi Mandy. I sometimes get the whole grain pretzels (that Lisa pictured in the post). Are the ones you are referring to different? If so, I’m not familiar with them. Jill
I always buy the whole wheat tortillas that have only a few ingredients and no sugar, EVOO, Go Raw Trail Mix, Brown rice pasta, their salsa verde and organic apples!
Hi Lisa, I have 2 questions I am hoping you can help with. Do you know if one can find a more natural option when it comes to chicken buillion, trader Joe’s or other? I am Mexican-American and am currently trying to improve many of my mexican recipes that I grew up with and chicken buillion is a must for rice and soups. I currently use chicken broth/stock but is does not have the same flavor that I am used to. Also I enjoy eating “posole” made with hominy and don’t know of any canned hominy brand without yucky preservatives. Would you happen to know of any or alternatives. My nearest Trader Joe’s is one hour away and we only have one tiny local health food store so I have to get creative about where I buy what…Thanks.
Hi Gaby! I am Mexican-American as well and having the same issues with hominy and masa (non-GMO). :( For the chicken bullion problem, I started making my own chicken stock and my rice turns out really well. Although Pollo Asado is definitely not the same, I find that it comes out pretty tasty by marinating it in my homemade chicken stock, cumin, garlic, fresh orange and lime juice, and a dash of ancho chile powder. Glad to know I’m not the only one with these issues!
Have you tried Better than Boullion? The kind I buy is organic and from Costco. It works really well.
and yes, I just bought Better than Buoulllion also to try it out it still has many ingredients but at least not artificial colors and gunk that Knorr has :)
Thanks! I am making my own stock now too. Yes good to know there are others out there :)!
Gaby – We don’t use bouillon cubes since we make chicken stock ourselves and freeze it, and we don’t cook with hominy (at least we haven’t yet!) But for items like this with a long shelf life, you will have a greater selection buying online. Many brands of bouillon cubes have MSG (or other hidden names for MSG) in them, so watch out for that. Hope that helps!
Thank you…
I buy all of that except for 3 Buck Chuck, our TJ’s doesn’t sell wine. I do buy beer there. I also get sunflower butter, frozen peppers, frozen organic blueberries, brown rice pasta and GF oatmeal.
We don’t have an Earth Fare here in Orange County, Ca. Do you know if it is comparable to Whole Foods?
Katy- Beware of Whole Foods. If you shop there you MUST watch this video! So maddening! BTW, love the OC! Grew up there!! :)
http://www.infowars.com/whole-foods-knowingly-engages-in-massive-gmo-deception-says-undercover-video-by-organic-spies/
Yes. Whole Foods is actually bigger. Jill
I do almost all of my shopping there, aside from what I get from our CSA. Brown rice, dairy (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream), whole wheat pasta, marinara, broccoli, carrots, apples, bananas, canned beans, whole grain tortillas, cheese, bagged kale (when it’s not the season at the CSA), nuts (especially the pre-packaged small bags these days), frozen green beans, frozen chicken strips, wine, whole wheat flour, tomato paste, popcorn kernels…literally anything I can buy there, I do.
I love their pineapple juice (in the cold section…not from concentrate…delicious!), their brand of Maple Syrup and their wine (does that count as “real” food? :) )
How long does coconut oil keep for after its been open?
It keeps at room temperature for a LONG time. Several months.
Hi Brenda. A refined oil should last about 1 1/2 years. An unrefined one will last longer. Jill
I am so excited to see that Trader Joes has New Zealand cheese – I’m from there and have been in America for 8 years now. I might make the 1 1/2 hr drive to Raleigh now.
My son LOVES to snack on dried fruit, and Trader Joes has the best selection of unsweetened dried fruit! The mango is his favorite. We can only go to Trader Joes when we are visiting family out of state, but we always stock up when we go.
Great and very helpful post! I love TJ’s green salsa, roasted red peppers, and I often buy organic produce there as well. They offer some of the best prices in my area on organics and also tend to have some hard to find items.
Individually wrapped goat cheese medallions and whole wheat cous cous are two things I pick up every time we go. I also like to keep some of their sauces and marinades on hand for when I don’t have time to make my own. For a special treat we sometimes get the Almondictive Bites. They are delicious little carmelized almond bits covered in dark chocolate.
I love trader joes and have been doing the bulk of my shopping there. The price of their organic milk is great and I love that the breads are non GMO so I always get bread there. We also really like their frozen green beans and corn. I wish they had big containers of plain organic greek yogurt-why is it so hard to find??? I wish I could get it there or the regular grocery store but it only comes in little containers. I buy my kids the nitrate, additive turkey corn dogs every once in a while- they love them!
If you don’t mind saying… what is your budget for a week’s worth or month’s worth of groceries? I’m trying to switch to organic, but I find the prices difficult. Especially in Canada!
I don’t know what Lisa’s budget is, but we are TRYING to stick to a $500 a month budget for all consumables (including paper goods) in our house. We are not strictly organic, but we try to do mostly non-processed foods. There are five people in my family, which includes three hungry kids who are 7,5, and 3. Some months we do better than others . . .
I don’t mind at all! Right now I am not tracking a specific budget because I am writing a cookbook and the recipe testing part is pretty intense. If you need 5 avocados to test a recipe 5 times…you just have to suck it up and buy them! :) But I did do a “real food on a budget” pledge for $125/week for the 4 of us. You can check out the posts (including what we bought and how much we spent) here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/100-days-on-a-budget/
We have a CSA, but I pick up most of my family’s other stuff at TJs. They have great prices for their staples. I used to go to Whole Foods more, but I spend SO much less at TJs for essentially the same stuff. I get frozen fish, canned tuna/clams/sardines, organic meat and cheese, raw honey, coconut oil, Larabars, Kerrygold butter, all kinds of nuts and seeds, chickpeas, fruit, veggies our CSA doesn’t include (like cucumbers and onions), orange juice, rice, etc.
I love their Harvest Whole Wheat Bread $1.99 here in San Diego and only six simple real ingredients, unrefined coconut oil, and selection of organic berries during summer.
I was at Trader Joe’s today and spoke with 2 different store associates to confirm what I had read about their brand. They both told me that just because it’s their brand doesn’t mean it doesn’t contain GMO’s. Their produce is all non GMO. Their other TJ products are healthier though than the leading stores products as far as additives, etc.. All the other products are carefully selected as far as where they come from.
http://www.traderjoes.com/products.asp
If you scroll to the bottom of this page it says that all TJ’s brand products nothing artificial, no GMO, no MSG, no added trans fats. They certainly carry other brands and I don’t think they hold them to any particular standard. But they claim that their products are NOT GMO.
Tortillas and bagels for the kids. Ezeikel bread, bananas, fruits and veggies that are in season (organic for most), organic potatoes, unsweetened almond milk, organic brown rice pasta, organic apples (in bags when they have them), unsweetened organic applesauce and organic vegetable broth.
I also buy my nuts, ww pita, cheese (so many choices!), and Coconut oil at TJ’s. In addition, I get spices (Everyday Seasoning, Saffron, Himalayan Pink Salt), Israeli couscous and quinoa, soup stocks when I need it in a pinch (prefer to make my own and not sure if TJ’s version counts as real food!), and wild caught fish (good deals!).
Another Harvest Whole Wheat bread fan here! It can’t be beat. We also do the yogurt, sliced cheeses, pesto (oh how I miss living somewhere hot enough to grown my own basil!), nuts, kosher chicken (it’s not always there).
Also some organic produce, but it is very hit or miss! We get most produce from a CSA, and then I get organic fruits, veggies, as well as bulk beans etc at Sprouts.
Their frozen corn is the best! Love the individual pkgs of almonds, cashews, and cranberries. They have the best wheat/corn tortillas.Great organic pumpkin in a can.
Your TJ’s list looks very similar to mine! I’ve been getting wine at my TJ’s from Green Fin winery – it’s made with organic grapes and is only $3.99 at my store. Their red table wine is pretty good and they have a good white too. I think it’s a step up from 3 buck chuck, taste wise. :)
I love their coconut oil, trail mixes, lara bars (although found a box at Costco for way cheaper), organic popcorn, tortillas (practically the ones I can find without trans fats), kefir, organic brown rice pasta, and just picked up some grass fed beef for a steal of a deal!
Larabars, nuts, seeds and I love the Triple Fruit Treat (dried fruit) Grass fed ground beef, hummus (yuuummmy)Ak Mak crackers, EV olive oil…
You are making me jealous! We moved to Grand Rapids MI last year and no longer have access to my beloved Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and Whole Foods. It’s been a real adjustment! Thank goodness there are gorgeous farmers markets here in the summer but still…missing my “go to” stores…
I agree! I live in Grand Rapids, love the farmers market but I wish we had a Trader Joes or Whole Foods. Where do have the best luck grocery Shopping in Grand Rapids?
Their wheat sourdough bread is to die for. The brown rice pasta is good, & inexpesive compared to others. They have the best price in our area for olive oil, (Costco sometimes has better prices, but you have to buy a ton & they have plastic containers), their peanut butter & applesauce are competive, and they have a wide variety of tortillas. I buy the Free Ranger whole chickens, (dh won’t pay for organic) they are good. I get their fz. stawberries as they’re cheaper than Winco. They seem to be the only ones who have 1/2 n 1/2 that’s not ultra-pasturized. Soy sauce is good & I like the chicken concentrate pks. (subs for bullion) even tho I know it isn’t as healthy as it could be.
You’re quite right that you have to be careful not to go crazy on their convience food, as it’s always cheaper to make it yourself. I do buy their spagetti sauce.
They used to have the best price for E-mergen C, but Fred Meyer now has the best in our area. Most of their supliments are cheap & not worth buying.
HTH!
I work for Trader Joe’s and I know that they would be sorry to hear about your “funky” cashews. ALWAYS return anything that is not the quality you expect from our store. Thanks!
Hi Alicia. Thanks. Yes, I have found they are very willing and want to accept returns for products you are not happy with. Their customer service has always been excellent in my opinion. Jill
When I have impromptu entertaining, TJ’s is my go to! Mix that 3 buck chuck (Sav blanc) with a bunch of organic fruit and soda water… YUM! I don’t get the frozen stuff for myself, but when I’m in an entertaining pinch, it works perfectly.
I think the Three Buck Chuck is everyone’s guilty pleasure (including mine)! I love TJ because the prices are reasonable and I don’t have to worry about finding high-fructose corn syrup in every other item I pick up. I feel better about buying their “convenience” foods when they’re made from real ingredients. Some of my favorites:
Dried pastas and potato gnocchi
Extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar
TJ brand Tuscan Marinara (canned)
TJ brand organic boxed soups, in flavors such as creamy tomato and butternut squash
TJ brand lavendar salt scrub for the body
produce, especially organic grape tomatoes, which my daughter loves
TJ brand chocolate bars
TJ brand cheese puffs (tastier than Cheetos with a much healthier ingredient list)
I bought a whole basil plant there near the beginning of summer for $2.99. That plant has been producing all our basil needs since then!
I also appreciate the employees there – They always go out of their way to help me find something and a few times, when they were out of something on the shelves, they actually went to the back room and opened up new cases for me!
Hi Lisa, just wanted to let you know that your 3 buck chuck is actually two buck chuck in ca, but I used to work for bronco wines here in northern ca, this the parent company of the Charles shaw winery. The reason why the wine is so inexpensive at trader joes stores is because the owner of bronco has a contract with trader joes and exclusively sells that wine to them as far as retail stores. In fact, even employees could not buy cases of the Charles shaw wine directly from the winery as we could with the more expensive wines, you can also find that wine in restaurants in s.f, and a glass goes for more than three dollars and a bottle quite a bit more. So I would say your wine choice is not bad at all.
We don’t have Earth Fare or Whole Foods, and I do most of my shopping at Trader Joe’s. Their prices beat most of the other grocery stores, and yes, not all of their products are perfect, but they have a better selection than most. We get all that you mentioned. I get their cheeses and dairy products. Their yogurt is a staple in my house I love their pitas to make tzatziki with. We get their frozen fruit for smoothies, and they have a great price on peanut butter (not the recalled one.) I am very excited to get their jam that is sweetened with fruit juice vs. sugar for pbj. My kids don’t even like jelly anymore. I also get their maple syrup, pasta and sauces. They have the best frozen green beans. I also like their pineapple salsa and tortilla chips and popcorn with olive oil as snacks. I also love their sparkling waters, and we don’t drink too much juice, but they have great pineapple juice next to the oj. My parents love their coffee. I get all the regular things you would get at a store too like sour cream, cereal, canned goods and spinach, etc. there. The best part about Trader Joe’s is that I can get in and out with very young children with a whole week’s worth of groceries in 30 minutes with great customer service and more bang for my buck.
I went to TJ’s to exchange my recalled peanut butter for the other creamy variety. Turns out there was never anything wrong with TJ’s peanut butter in the first place. It was a voluntary recall as a neighboring peanut field had issues. Makes me wonder what brand of peanut butter was truly making people sick. Gotta love a company that voluntarily recalls their product just in case.
Their Authentic Greek Feta in Brine is outstanding! Organic Power Greens, free-range chicken, TJ’s brand organic 73% cacao bars (yum), coconut water, Medjool dates (in produce). Very disappointed that they won’t carry RAW peanuts though :(
Their olive oil and wheat flour is also a great price for cooking. Their broths are also msg free. Love their wines. I also love their 100 calorie chocolate bars for a guilty pleasure. And in the fall, I absolutely CANNOT resist their pumpkin cream cheese. Oh, the other best condiment is their hot and sweet mustard (seasonal).
Goat’s Milk Gouda is a must have from TJ
I even have to bring some wedges to my MIL on trips home!
We love $3 buck chuck
Other staples are similar to majority above: hummus, yogurt, olive oil
I buy Organic Chicken at TJ’s, only because i dont have a costco card. I also get extra virgin olive oil (Spanish), corn tortillas, frozen sockeye salmon, pink sea salt grinders, and some produce.
Does Costco carry free-range organic chicken?
Jacqueline – I’ve seen the organic chicken breasts and I know they have had the whole chicken’s (organic) in the past, although, I haven’t checked recently. Jill
Jacqueline – yes, Costco carries the two pack of organic whole chickens as a regular product. Usually about $20 for two of them in my area. Not sure how much $ per pound offhand.
I just recently bought a bottle of wine from Traders Joes that is their own brand & organic for $5, everyone there was highly recommending it! Haven’t tried it yet though.
fresh pizza dough
canned dog food
frozen veggies, chopped peppers
white balsamic vinegar
I am so excited to see this post and to read the comments. We don’t have Earth Fare, Whole Foods or anything similar. We got a new Trader Joe’s about two months ago and since then, I’ve been doing my weekly shopping there. I supplement with items from other grocery stores and from the Farmer’s Market and CSA, but it’s become my main store.
We get the Ak Mak crakers every week (the cheapest place I’ve found them) and TJ’s version of Triscuits. We also get their yogurt, the European Style, yum! And we LOVE their Fruit Spread. It’s the only jam I’ve found locally that is both organic and only fruit juice sweetened, no sugar or corn syrup at all. We also get Ezekiel Bread there.
Kerrygold butter. We stock up on it when it’s on sale. I’ve seen it go as low as $2.59
I just purchased coconut oil at whole foods yesterday for the first time after learning about the health benefits, only now I’m stumped on how to use it! Can you offer some pointers for cooking with it?
Thanks!
I love coconut oil :) Here are some ways I use it:
To cook eggs in a pan
To pop popcorn on the stovetop
Melted for a fat in baked goods (muffins, bread, etc)
In a foil packet with seafood in the oven (instead of butter)
Spread on toast
For frying garlic, onion, etc for stir fry (great Asian noodles)
Amanda: I use my coconut oil as a facial moisturizer and have completely stopped buying expensive creams!! My sensitive skin loves it and surprisingly, it doesn’t lead to breakouts. At risk of sounding like a total hippy, I also stopped using shampoo and conditioner and switched to a simple concoction of baking soda and Apple Cider Vinegar, using coconut oil in between to lock in some moisture.
It’s also awesome for pan-cooking and baking. :)
http://fabulouslydomestic.com/2012/03/07/baking-soda-vinegar/
Hi there – could you tell me how much coconut oil you use on your hair? I’ve been trying to find that info out and having a hard time….also, do you use it solid right on your skin? You must use it during the day or doesn’t it get on your pillow cases?
Here’s another link of things you can do. I also use CO as an all over body moisturizer when my skin started having bad reactions to anything purchased at the store. (I can’t use regular soap or lotion at all anymore without getting rashes.)http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2012/08/333-Uses-For-Coconut-Oil.html
Seriously love, love, love coconut oil for so many things!
Hi Amanda. Check out this post on coconut oil…https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/02/07/how-to-cook-with-coconut-oil/. Jill
Steamed Lentils from Trader Joe’s – saute them with garlic, onion, peppers and serve on top of Baby Spinach drizzled with Trader Joes Balsamic Glaze. Heavenly!
Where are those located in the store? Are they canned?
I used to shop at Trader Joe’s more often but I found that most of their products contain either canola oil or soy lecithin, which are both processed junk, so I have a hard time finding anything there. You’re right, their cheese is usually lacking in taste, but it’s okay for the kids. Still, there are a few things to get; they have a good price on cereals and sausages. Do you know that Larabar is owned by General Mills who have contributed more than half a million to fight labeling GMO’s. So, I don’t buy those anymore (which is probably why you can find them at Target.
I can’t drink milk but I can drink Kefir. Tader Joe’s brand is good and at a great price.
What is Kefir??
Hi Mindy. According to Wikipedia, Kefir is a fermented milk drink made with kefir grains. Jill
You hit all the staples for sure. I like to get the Kerrygold butter there too.
Also, thank you for the info on the salt–I didn’t realize that “not all salt is created equal” and had often wondered why some salt was so dang expensive (I just thought salt was salt!) I’m going to look in to getting this brand from Whole Foods.
Thanks again!
I found a 72% Organic Dark Chocolate bar there with no soy lecithin for only $1.99 … this is now my go to chocolate treat plus monthly I always pick up:
-coconut oil
-raw nuts
-raw seeds
-Ak Mak Crackers – cheapest store I have found them at here in Oregon
-Whole Milk Orgaic Yogurt
-Cold Pessed Olive Oil
-Organic Raisins
-Lunberg Brown Rice Cakes – cheapest store I have found them at here in Oregon
– Cheeses
What do you put on your rice cakes? I think they’d be good with the right stuff on top, but plain — no one here could stand it.
We eat them at lunch with Peanut Butter on them … sometimes I top the pb with thinly sliced apple
Cream cheese and homemade jam or almond butter and banana slices are our favorites for rice cakes. :)
Hi Mindy. I eat mine with almond butter. Jill
We do PB and J, cream cheese and jelly, PB and honey, just honey, just PB, PB and raisins…
I buy a lot of the same things you buy there, the pita bread, coconut oil and yogurt. I also buy my oats there for granola. They have great organic whole wheat pastas as well.
Real food vs. Organic? I was at Trader Joe’s trying to buy some tortillas (I’m not brave enough to try to make your recipe yet) and I found some that were organic but the ingredient list was longer than the whole wheat tortillas with only 5-6 ingredients. I debated for awhile and finally went with the real food tortillas. What would you do?
Hi Thuy. I would probably pick the ones with less ingredients. Especially if they were the Trader Joe’s brand since my understanding is that anything with their label does not contain GMO’s. Jill
Try the Quatro-Formagio on your home made pizza! I can’t spell it, but we do love it! I know you don’t belong to Costco, but we save tons of money getting our nuts, seeds, organic coffee, honey (but we do dose w/ Dancing Bee daily from the MFMkt), maple syrup and organic rice milk there.
Love Trader Joe’s! I regularly go there to buy:
Whole Milk European Style Yogurt
Cheese
Some produce
Bite Size Shredded Wheats
Jam (sweetened with fruit juice)
Ezekiel Bread
Coffee
Olive Oil
Maple Syrup
Organic Popcorn
Peach pops – these are whole fruit popsicles sweetened with fruit juice. Seriously Yum. (They also have Strawberry)
We also get the $3 wine! Why wouldn’t you? :)
We buy other things there too, but those are the regular go-to items.
The Whole Milk European Style Yogurt is my favorite yogurt by far. Love. I wish the kefir was also whole milk but that’s rare outside of whole foods anyway.
Oh my, who said their cheeses are lacking in taste? They have some outstanding seasonal cheeses, imo, and the grass fed cheddar and swiss are both delicious and affordable. In the sliced section, my favorite is the goat’s milk gouda, YUM!
We also get organic grass fed & finished ground beef, various wild fish (mainly salmon of which there are several varieties), kerrygold butter, omega 3 eggs, frozen vegetables like french green beans, leeks, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, frozen fruit, organic apples, pears & grapes, bananas, organic salad mixes & greens, cooked baby beets, avocados… my list is a mile long. For a treat, I love the 85% Dark Chocolate Lover’s Bar and dry roasted macadamia nuts.
In nyc I do almost all of my grocery shopping at TJ’s; I find it to be a good one stop shop. If I had to replicate the quality and selection from other sources like farmer’s market, WF, etc. the level of spending would be unsustainable.
Love Trader Joe’s. We buy their sunbutter, Applegate hotdogs on occasion, quinoa, brown rice pasta, salsa, gf oats and organic chocolate bars on occasion. We love their dried fruit – we just bought the dried apricots (unsweetened & unsulfered) and the whole family loves them.
— Kristy @ Wine Logic
Oh and we also buy their popcorn or popping and organic jelly sweetened with juice. Sooo many things there we love!
— Kristy @ Wine Logic
I always buy almond butter from TJ’s! It’s so much less expensive than at other stores. I also get organic produce and chicken from them, too.
They have frozen prepared steel cut oats. All the goodness of oatmeal with none of the hassle!
I buy our popcorn kernels there. Organic bag for a good price, at least around here.
I also like their butter, but honestly don’t know if it’s a ‘real’ food.
We’re a half-real food family (maybe more). We have a few other snacky items we buy at trader joes that don’t qualify but are better than the alternative and we’re ok w/ them for treats.
I view it as my processed food place. For example, they have graham crackers w/out HFCS, so we bought those for smores this year. But those aren’t a real food :)
Well read California wine is great!! Organic and sulfite free! Only 5.99 a bottle. I get it in traders just about every time I go! Also frozen mango, frozen edamame, dried mango, and Zico coconut water are my othe staples (outside of what you already mentioned)!
In addition to some already mentioned, I buy the unsweetened almond milk (“Smooth”, in the cold section) as it’s one of the only almond milks I’ve found that doesn’t use carageenan. I’ve also recently discovered their amazing flaked coconut — it’s totally coated in sugar but it only takes a few tbsp sprinkled into granola to give a sweet and coconut-y taste! And the cinnamon sugar grinder is a hit in our otherwise sugar-free home — the kids get to sprinkle a few twists of it onto their morning toast as a real treat. It’s got a few simple ingredients.
– organic steel cut oats
– organic black beans (canned)
– organic cream-top milk (when we run out of raw milk from our farmer’s market)
– uncured nitrite free ham (once in a while — TJ’s is not known for having the best meat sources)
By the way, the honey you mentioned is probably like all other pasteurized honey — it’s not real honey but more of a honey-flavored substance. :( But like you said, good to have in a pinch.
Coconut milk, organic popcorn, fair trade chocolate bars, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, etc.
I love Trader Joe’s, but I was wondering what everyone thought of their nut butters (almond, peanut, etc. salted/unsalted)?
Hi Megan. Our store just started carrying organic unsalted peanut butter which has been great. I’ve not tried their other ones. Jill
We love the organic (both crunchy and creamy) but have switched to raw almond, just because I think it is a healthier nut. My kids haven’t noticed the switch, though it is certainly a drier taste off the spoon. In things, not so much. We also buy their sunflower seed butter for sandwiches at my son’s nut-free school. That one does have added cane sugar, which is typical of sunbutter.
As others have mentioned, if you don’t like something, you can return it for any reason at all.
Finally, not at all healthy in any way, but their Speculous Cookie butter is a crazy good indulgence that often has a waiting list.
Hi Megan – I am a HUGE fan of the Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, but it was one of the recall list. :( I hope soon it will be back to “normal”, for it is really , really tasty, and I’ve not found any others with the roasted flaxseeds…makes the almond butter way less bland!
I hit TJ’s once a month to stock up on their organic coffee, Kerry Gold butter, nuts & seeds, basmati rice and dried cranberries. I also think their parmesan cheese is a nice compromise. There are a few other things I like to buy there when we need it or when it’s in season such as the organic popcorn, 2 buck Chuck and peaches or nectarines.
Frozen fruit for smoothies, frozen veggies like peas and corn, and kefir.
I buy nuts and dried fruits for trail mixes and granola. I also hit the frozen section for frozen fruit to use in oatmeal, smoothies and for quick desserts. My favorite Trader Joe purchase is the 5 pk of 100 cal. 72% dark chocolate bars.
You have to try their Dark Chocolate Honey Mints! Only 3 ingredients, totally clean and amazing. So rich 1 will satisfy and they taste just like Junior Mints. My new favorite treat!!
We get a lot of the staples you already mentioned. Other staples we get at TJ’s are almond butter (great price and I can’t have peanuts, so I use it a lot for sandwiches, homemade granola bars, etc.), olives, some cosmetics (shampoo, moisturizer, hand soap), and of course the cheap wine and beer. Why not when it’s so cheap? One of my FAVORITE treats from TJ’s is a bag of their olive oil popcorn. I normally pop organic popcorn when I’m at home, but their olive oil popcorn is a delicious treat for a long road trip.
Ah, I’ve been wanting to post my favorites! Here are my Trader Joe’s Treasures: http://fresh-you.blogspot.com/2012/09/trader-joes-treasures.html Plus, Lisa, I did write a dietary supplement post that I would love for you to check out since there are so many misconceptions about it, even beyond the harmful ingredients you see listed on the bottle! It’s so scary! Scandalous Supplements! http://fresh-you.blogspot.com/2012/09/scandalous-supplements-what-you-need-to.html We do take some, ‘non-religiously’, as in sometimes, in moderation!, but you’ve got the right idea feeling good about getting all the right stuff from always eating all the right foods! Have a great weekend everybody!
-yogurt, same as you. Did you know this is private labeled Stonyfield? So says their worker who sounded more like a manager.
-cheese, New Zealand grass-fed
-Kerrygold grass-fed butter. Amazing!
-organic whole chickens (best we can get for our budget and cutting down on meat), nuts,coconut oil, organic olive oil, balsamic vinegar, apple banana squeezes, peanut butter!!!, low sugar jam, and frozen organic vegis in the winter. Can’t leave without the 72% dark chocolate which doesn’t make the cut but I DON”T CARE! Ha ha.
My friend just turned me on to your blog, and it’s good to see so many folks interested! Another friend of mine started me on my journey to better eating many years ago. But I am not as blessed as you to have a husband that is totally on the same page. MIne will NOT eat whole grain ANYTHING, or the maple syrup, jams, or ketchup I make myself. But 19 yr-old son is much better with it. He learned to make soup from scratch at age 10 (soup bone from local beef, veggies/herbs from garden, etc.)when I took away his canned stuff (yes, there was much whining), and now is not afraid to attempt to cook anything, although he’s not much of a a baker.
We have only 2 acres, and raise rabbits and chickens for meat and eggs (had a few sheep too for 12 years), raise a large garden, small orchard, tap our own maple trees, and kept bees for 6 yrs until they all died (I sure miss the endless honey!!). I encourage anyone with the tiniest bit of land to produce as much as you can for yourself. It’s so rewarding to know exactly where your food came from. And anyone in the Pittsburgh,PA area might check out Frankferd Farms Foods in Saxonburg [www.frankferd.com]for bulk/organic/vegan items [they do not sell meat products]. They’ll deliver to your house (within their area) for a minimum order. I have several friends that order w/ me to make up the minimum.
Best wishes to all of you….
This is a fun blog. I’ll tell you what I can’t live without and I get like 2-3 bags each time I visit? Those peanut butter wafer thingeys with dark chocolate on them. I put them in every gift basket I create for friends and they’re always the biggest hit. And the other 2 bag a visit thing is those frozen potatoes with garlic and parmesean – I make them for breakfast like homefries, or pair with meats for dinner. They are delicous! I have friends from other states call me to pick them up things when I’m going to visit. A big request is those dark chocolate covered almonds with sea salt (holy schmolies!) and the other fave (other than a case of vino) is the almond biscotti. Try them all, you won’t be disappointed!
This was really helpful. I am SLOWLY starting to eat clean and I am really struggling to stay on track…especially at my beloved TJ’s! :)
-Organic cream top milk. Organic whole milk plain European style yogurt (both are from Straus family creamery).
-Tuscan style whole wheat bread (only 3 or 4 ingredients…so yummy!)
-white whole wheat flour
-organic dark chocolate, caramel and sea salt chocolate bar…:)
-organic coffee
-cheese
-Kashi’s ‘autumn wheat’ cereal- best ‘real food’ cereal I’ve been able to find!
-sunflower seeds (I get nuts at Costco…much better price)
-Organic Pasta Sauce
-Whole wheat organic pasta noodles
-organic apples
-other produce if it looks good and prices are ok
I would stay away from kashi brand if possible. Many of their cereals most likely contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Try natures path or cascadian farms ( parent company is general mills, but still a lesser of two evils).
I wondered about this too, so I looked into it. Some of Kashi’s cereals are non-GMO. I haven’t yet looked into other Kashi products, though. Check out the following link.
http://www.kashi.com/nongmo
I do not think TJ’s is a healthy food store. Most of there food is prepackaged, boxed, or frozen with very little fresh fruits and veggies.
Honestly, the only thing I buy on a regular basis form TJ’s is there organic concord grape jelly! My kids LOVE PB&J’s and it is the only decent size jelly I can find that does not have HFCS and is not a 4 oz jar for about five dollars. TJ’s is not close to me I actually have to pass Whole Foods to go there so I buy 6 jars at a time to last a few months.
If I buy anything else there breads are good, as well as the nuts like you said, and I learned to stretch my maple syrup from them by blending it with agave nectar.
There fresh organic apples, and potatoes in the 3lb bags are a good price at about $3.69 but WF now has bagged fruits at a comparable price point.
Hi Elle. I would agree, just like any of the grocery stores, there are plenty of “non-real” food items in each. But, I do think for the items mentioned in the post, the prices are hard to beat. Jill
I was really annoyed to learn that Lara Bars had donated money against Prop 37 here in CA. Their packaging clamins they use no GMO products yet they side with Monsanto on this one?? Very, very fishy!!
Please excuse my typos. I find commenting on this site very difficult as my screen jumps all around and I can’t get the curser to stay any where on the page!
I agree! But then I learned Larabar was bought out by General Mills, so that explains it! :(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A4rabar
Here’s our list:
organic aloe, kerry gold butter, strauss milk (TJ’s organic cream top), organic European plain yogurt (strauss also), raw almond butter – my fave!, fruit juice sweetened jam, maple syrup, beans (for when I have no time to soak and cook), tom paste, olive oil, rice vinegar, frozen fish, frozen grass fed ground beef, frozen organic berries, Carrs crackers (they are the flaxseed whole wheat ones), whole wheat lavash bread, cheeses, organic chickens, and organic wines. rice pastas, rice, nuts, and quinoa. Oh…and the new stone ground dark chocolate – so yummy! We love TJ’s (we don’t have many more options around other than big grocery stores or overpriced “natural food ” stores. We do have great farmers markets and get a CSA basket for our veggies.
I don’t have a TJ’s close by, so when I go, I stock up on Salsa Verde, nuts/trail mixes, some of the sliced cheeses like the goat milk dutch cheese, and their frozen seafood mix and/or tuna steaks, depending on what I’m in the mood for. Their frozen seafood is actually priced affordably.
I have to agree with everything except one … Sorry, I can’t choke down (nor even cook with) Charles Shaw. I’ve done it years ago, but instead I prefer Costco for wine (and Total Wine etc.) but for best prices on top rated wines … Trader Joe’s has very few. At Costco you can get several good wines for at or under $10. I’d just rater spend a few more dollars there. But then we are sort of obsessed about pairing wine with food.
$2.49 trumps your $10… but I want good tasting wine also.
If you will google, wine magnet… along with lots of refrigerator magnet sites, you will come across wine bottle coasters that contain a magnet. Pour yourself a small sipper of any kind of RED Shaw, it only works for red wine, and set aside. Put the bottle on this magnet for a half hour, more or less, and and then compare. You can also use a magnet from a hardware store, but this is pretty and we drink wine with dinner most every night so nice on our table.
Shaw American Chardonnay won over a $100 bottle a few years ago… cannot remember the details. Anyway a little time on a magnet improves the reds to a very nicely aged wine. :o)
My kids love the freeze dried mango and bananas. T. Joes has the lowest price on these and one of the few brands where the ingredients are only mangos or bananas. We leave with at least 3 bags each! I also love the pistachios. They are the only place I have found where you can get reduced salt pistachios. My kids love them as a snack.
I noticed that the pitas aren’t organic. You are usually very concerned about non-organic foods. Is there a reason you don’t seem to mind with the pita bread? I’m not criticizing, just curious.
You are right…I usually buy organic whenever I can, but it isn’t 100% of the time (maybe 90 – 95% of the time). If I knew of some organic whole-wheat pitas I would certainly buy those instead!
I wish I could, but I have nothing but HyVee, Walmart, and our local store in my area. That’s it. That’s the only thing that really stinks about living in a small town. I guess that’s a sacrifice we make for a low cost of living area.
I love Real Salt. We don’t use anything else. I buy it in bulk from Whole Foods.
I loved this post, thank you for sharing these! I love TJ’s coconut oil, it tastes and smells so delicious and is so much cheaper than anywere else I’ve looked. I’ve never even looked at their processed foods there, but I am happy to know about the pretzels. Occasionaly I’ll need pretzels and whole wheat ones are very hard to come by.
Lara Bar has contributed over $500,000.00 against propostion 37 to label MO products. I do not buy products that are contributing against the GMO labeling project.
Deanna (and others) – Here is the http://www.larabar.com/prop-37“>Lara Bar company stance on GMOs and Proposition 37. While they claim Lara Bars are free of GMOs, their parent company, General Mills, has contributed over $500,000 against proposition 37. Our assistant, Jill, just introduced me to a great alternative, Kit’s Organic fruit and nut bars. They are organic, non-GMO, and sold by a company that you may feel better purchasing from, Clif Bar & Company. According to this website, Clif Bar & Company supports proposition 37.
GMO*
I WISH we had a TJ’s close! So sad! But I will say that I use Real Salt and LOVE, it. I couldn’t believe that the regular salt I was buying at the store had glucose in it! I never even thought to check until I saw a blog post about it. Just goes to show you that you have to read labels!
I am going to TJ’s tomorrow for the 1st time to a new one that just opened up a little over an hour away. Thank you for the good suggestions everyone.
I agree with all of the above – but I admit Trader Joe’s is my lifesaver for the days when I just can’t pull a good meal together. They do have a lot of packaged stuff, but it has surprisingly pronounceable ingredients as far as packaged food. Not as good as a home-cooked meal, but far better than takeout or a standard pre-made meal. That comes in handy if your kitchen happens to be under construction for several months. =)
I LOVE TJ’s! And actually, I disagree, you can get a ton of healthy stuff there, if like your regular grocery store, you shop the perimeter. First off, all the TJ’s products are non-GMO and MSG free, their dairy is BGH free, their bread is preservative free, some things have reduced sodium options and most of the dairy is local for me as I live in WI. So right there, that makes shopping at TJ’s a no-brainer. Plus, many of the ingredients are cheaper then my local grocery store. I buy fresh produce, frozen produce, organic free range chicken and broth, grass fed beef, applegate lunchmeat (for paninis) and grass fed all beef hot dogs, frozen wild caught salmon, plain european style and greek yogurt, butter, a variety of cheeses (blocks, sticks and crumbles) Whole wheat bread, raisin bread, pitas, naan and tortillas, nuts, raisins, applesauce (jarred), natural peanut butter, white whole wheat flour, organic sugar, half salt tuna,canned beans, soy sauce and that’s all I can remember. I usually do stock-up runs every 4-5 weeks. Also they are WONDERFUL about taking back or exchanging overripe, spoiled, etc. food items, no questions asked.
Just curious why you purchase Lara Bars…all the ones I have looked at are very high in sugar for a so-called nutritious bar. The only protein bars I will buy are from Quest Nutrition. I absolutely LOVE EarthFare and have not ventured back into a Trader Joe’s since I found it. :)
Hi Paula. Any sugar in the Lara Bars is not added sugar. Many of the varieties (perhaps all) contain dates which alone will increase the sugar, but, again, it is not added sugar. Hope that helps to clarify things. Jill
love TJs organic Ketchup
We do the Greek Honey Yogurt. I have tried other yogurts on my boys and they like this one best. milk,cream, honey, and cultures. We tried about 3 dozen and this one my oldest keeps us going back to. He eats it plain and with dry fruit.
Gets my vote as the dairy is hormone free.
I am a HUGE fan of their honey Greek yogurt too! It is OUTSTANDING in every way…well, except the sugar content. I know that even plain yogurt is fairly high in sugars (probably the lactose), but I was shocked (and disappointed – I could eat it daily!) to see the honey Greek being especially high.
What a great post! I’d also add their price on almond meal and steel cut oats are amazing. I also have a small handful of items I buy at Trader Joe’s solely, but sometimes you an find some great extras!
Hi – I’m curious how you use the almond meal…looking into using the almond flour – do you use it the same way?
I only buy TJ’s brand almond meal- the price is just too good! And Amy- I use it just like I would almond flour.
Hi Amy. My understanding is that almond meal is different because it is not from blanched almonds (skin removed) whereas almond flour is made from blanched almonds. You can use the almond meal in things such as granola or as a breading on meat (it is a good gluten free option for that as well). Hope that helps. Jill
We live on Trader Joes. I use the olive oil, I buy my milk and eggs from them. We love their wheat corn tortillas. My son loves their organic cheese sticks.
Just wanted to say that I saw a website (http://organicpastures.com/raw-almond-expose.htm) which spoke about whether your almonds were REALLY raw……they said that many brands are actually pasteurizing their almonds and selling them as raw. They did an experiment on different almonds to test them, and I tried the same experiment on the almonds I bought from Trader Joes, and they PASSED! Truly raw almonds. I am thankful because I really appreciate being able to get nuts and seeds at the prices they offer. I’ve never had any problem with any going bad, but I do have that problem with their produce from time to time. They are always gracious in refunding my money, but it is an incovenience not to have a fresh item right when you planned to use it!
Link does not work… what did you do to test them. Sprout them? I’ve been buying mine at Costco and “hoping” they were raw cause it’s cheeper to buy them there. But the package doesn’t actually say.
That link was missing the last “l.” Here is the working link:
http://organicpastures.com/raw-almond-expose.html
Out of curiosity I once tried to sprout Trader Joe’s “raw” almonds, and they did not sprout. My understanding is that all almonds sold in mainstream commercial venues in the US have been pasteurized by one way or another.
That said, I’m not convinced that it really matters. I have yet to see any compelling evidence that sproutability changes the way you digest nuts. (Don’t leave your almonds out in water for 4 days then put them in a plastic bag and they won’t get moldy!)
Non-homogenized milk… I’ve been buying mine at Whole Foods but recently found it at TJ’s. Although I like the glass jars they came in at WF, it’s $2 cheeper per gallon at TJ’s.
How long does the non-homogenized milk last? We buy organic milk but it is super processed and lasts over a month, which is great because we don’t use much. It does strike me as odd that milk would last that long!
To my knowledge all grocery store milk (homoginized/pasturized) is good for 7 days once it is opened. Since most organic dairy is ultra-pasteurized it does have a longer refrigerated shelf life, but only in an un-opened state. Once opened, it’s still only good for 7 days.
I volunteer at a raw organic dairy and the milk they produce is good for at least a month even after opened. Milk doesn’t go bad in a week as long as you keep it refrigerated. The sell by date is pretty reliable and even then it should go a week past that b/c it is a sell by date not consume by date. Hope this helps. Remember I’m talking raw non-homogenized which is even more delicate. So if you are using homogenized it will last longer. *Homogenized is bad though*
We soley drink organic milk and I have noticed that the exp date relates to the packaging. The organix milk in the paper carton lasts a month even opened, but if you buy organic milk in a plastic jug it only lasts a week. I think it has something to do with the enzymes in the milk breaking down the plastic which makes it go bad faster.
Hi Amy. The milk we get is usually dated about 7-10 days out, but, the owner of Lakeview Farms explains that’s not an expiration date per se (I’m not exactly sure what it is then :-)). I don’t ever have my milk longer than 2 weeks at most so I know it usually lasts at least that long. I know it’s really important to not leave it out and make sure it stays cold. That helps to keep it fresh and prevent it from spoiling. Jill
Is the TJscoconut oil unrefined? And I never see any raw nuts in there that are organic. Do you use non-organic nuts when making your granola? Thank you!
Yes it is unrefined. Even though the jar doesn’t say it I had the crew member check for me with the buyer
Hi Stacy – here’s an email I received from TJ’s about the coconut oil:
Thank you so much for contacting us. Our coconut oil is cold-pressed, unrefined, raw, and NOT hydrogenated. Coconuts are dehusked, grated, and the fresh coconut meat is cold pressed and filtered with no chemicals or preservatives added. This process retains the enzymes, lauric acid and all the other nutrients. No chemicals are added. No bleaching is done. The natural nutrients and characteristics including the aroma are therefore preserved.
Hooray for coconuts!
Best regards,
Rachel
Customer Relations
Trader Joe’s
Lisa- if you’re looking for a whole grain pretzel option without sugar, try “Newman’s Own Spelt Pretzels”. They contain only 6 ingredients, NO SUGAR, and 4 grams of fiber per serving. I no longer have to feel guilty about giving my kids pretzels :) The pretzels are by the specialty chips (kettle, cape cod, etc.) in my local grocery store. (the vitaspelt pretzels I saw elsewhere contained refined spelt flour :)
Oops, that was supposed to be a frown regarding REFINED SPELT in the vitaspelt pretzels as I didn’t notice the lack of fiber until after I had already purchased the bag :(
TJ’s dried black mission figs are da bomb. We also buy TJ’s goat cheese, which is waaaay cheaper than other venues. And who can resist Three-Buck Chuck?
We are beyond thrilled that Trader Joe’s will open here in Winston-Salem in October, which will spare us having to make quarterly pilgrimages to Chapel Hill. Best wishes!
Hi Lisa
I’m just curious to why you don’t buy produce at Trader Joe’s. I know that they have quite a big selection of organic produce and it’s less expensive than Earth Fare. I buy organic broccoli, spinach, romaine, apples, carrots, potatoes, …
Hi Meredith. I find that a lot of their stuff goes bad very quickly. I’m actually trying to buy some more stuff there again because, to your point, it is MUCH cheaper. Hoping I have better luck this time. Jill
Have you ever made your own pita bread? It’s so much fun! They are quick, and easy to roll out and only take about 5 minutes to bake, plus they puff op like balloons in the oven, which my kids (even at 16, 13, 10) think is pretty neat :-)
Would you post your recipe? I’ve tried a couple of times and mine usually don’t end up puffing? They are mostly just flat with no pocket or small pockets.
I just saw your comment here. My friend, Polly, made a great pita bread recipe in her bread machine. Here’s the link: http://thrivinghomeblog.com/2013/01/panini-sandwich-bread-a-bread-machine-recipe/
Oops, I meant panini bread…my bad!
Wow, wish we had a trader Joe’s here! I go whenever we are visiting the states in a city that has one.
Any dressings for salads you like from there ?
I love the Champagne Gorgonzola. Not sure how clean it is/how many ingredients. The Balsamic Vin is pretty good too. Their ranch was far too peppery for me.
Hi Kirsten. I haven’t really tried any – I usually just make a simple one myself. Jill
Do you have a clean Ranch dressing recipe that you could share?
Hi Shanci. Here is a recipe for ranch flavored dip. Jill
I love their bags of frozen organic berries. Perfect for the winter months when fresh berries are not readily available.
My #1 item at Trader Joes too!!!! We live on the wild berries for daily smoothies with my kids. As long as I stick in a cup of the berries and a banana, I can hid all other sorts of things in there including carrot juice and kale! Love it!
Us, too! We buy lots of their organic berries for our smoothies!
I just finished my 10day clean pledge no Trader Joe,s in Idaho but I do have a case of Two Buck Chuck one of my clients brought me. Love the shiraz. We are getting a Whole Foods in Oct. What are the good buys there?
Hi Laurie. We just got a Whole Foods so I’m not that familiar with it just yet. But, you might be interested in this post. https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/10/01/food-babe-investigates-whole-foods/. Jill
Love Trader Joes! It is such a fun place to shop for special treats whether they are processed foods or whole foods! It is all about moderation. Enjoy life people!
We like the peanut butter, which only contains peanuts and salt!
Yes, you can’t beat 3.99 for 1lb of organic PB, and we get the unsalted so just peanuts. Though there has been that latest recall.
Hi! I was so excited about your w.w. pita find that I went scouting it out at ours. I picked up a package that looked identical to the one you found, but it said it had enriched flour. I know yours must not and I know each TJs carries different things but it shocked me that two identical objects would be different in ingredients. Maybe I just read it wrong! I’m wondering if anyone else has found this..
We have a Trader Joe’s opening here in Gainesville, FL. It will be interesting to see how their prices compare to the stuff I buy at Publix and Earth Origins. I’ve heard their bulk bins have pretty decent prices.
I cant wait …I live in Palm Coast and will take a day trip to GNV on Dec 12 and load my cooler up!!!
I’m I live n Palm Coast and am planning my first trip to Trader Joes in Gainsville today! Cant wait to get there. I think we should put a weekly trip and all ride together!
Over the summer, TJ’s came to our city. We jumped right in, and were especially loving their Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. I noticed that the insides of the lids have a white plastic coating, so I contacted TJ’s Product Information via email to find out whether they have BPA on the lids. Their response:
“On that note, every glass jar (including this one) has a metal lid, and all metal lids do have a thin layer of BPA coating. However, there is coating of another material put on top of the BPA coating so there is no direct contact with the food at any point. We have conducted multiple supplier testing results showing there is no BPA detected from metal lids.”
I further asked them why they have BPA, then cover it up – seems silly, right? Especially when there are metal lids they could use that don’t contain BPA in the first place. Also, I asked them if they could share the specific testing info they have as I can’t really just trust the above statement, can I? I’ve yet to hear back from them, but considering it took over a week to hear back the first time, I think it will likely take at least that much longer to hear from them again.
In any case, I just thought I’d share this with you because I will choose to pay a little more for my coconut oil elsewhere rather than risk the exposure to BPA for myself and my family, and you and some of your readers may feel the same way.
I keep my pecans and walnuts in the freezer to prevent them from spoiling. Then theres no bulk issue. They are so small they thaw out in about two minutes.
Would you consider tapioca flour a real food? I am gluten intolerant and most gluten free breads contain tapioca flour along with the brown rice flour.
Hi Kaiylyn. The tapioca is a starch derived from a plant I believe. I’m not familiar with the extraction process so I can’t really comment on the extent to which it is processed. Sorry I can’t give you a more definitive answer. Jill
Have you tried Trader Joe’s frozen organic brown rice? So great in a pinch. What are your thoughts on it?
Thanks!
Hi Alex. Yes, I have had their frozen rice before. I have stopped using it though over concerns about microwaving the plastic package, but, I do agree, in a pinch it is not a terrible option. Jill
We JUST got a Trader Joe’s in North Dallas, and I can’t wait to go check it out! I went to my local Market Street and looked at coconut oil – it was $15! for one little jar! I definitely need to check out TJ next weekend. I’m starting me and my son on a 30-day challenge and only allowing myself $50/week. — up this week, crock pot chicken – with chicken noodle soup later in the week :D
I fed my daughter good healthy food like this when she was young and now she has gluten and dairy issues. In hindsight I think she would have had fewer health issues if I would have stuck to more meat, veggies, and fruit.
Thanks for sharing your favorites. I did the same on my blog, which you’ve been a huge inspiration for! :) http://thrivinghomeblog.com/2012/02/i-heart-trader-joes/
Organic frozen berries
frozen mango chunks
asparagus spears
Coconut and grapeseed oils
Green Fin: organic white table wine at $3.99 a bottle that is good enough to fool wine snobs
Love me some Havarti cheese!! You are so right that it’s good on nearly everything. Organic dried fruit is a must too.
We buy the Wheat Pane (bread) as it only has 4 ingredients! This is our go to bread.
Also cream top milk, raw nuts, peanut butter,
There’s a Trader Joe’s “coming soon” about 80 miles away from me. Where else can I go???
you can get Trader Joe’s coconut oil, honey, & coffee that she shows above on Amazon. They have a big selection of Trader Joe’s food.
Amazon prices are frustratingly inflated, though. :/
FYI – Trader Joe’s does not sell their products anywhere except in-store. Nothing on-line, especially via Amazon. These are people who have purchased in quantity from TJ’s and are charging super over-inflated prices with the sole purpose of making a very large profit. Example: Trader Joe’s Roasted Seaweed Snack x 6 Packs sold on Amazon for $9.27 & $5.00 shipping…in-store price .99 ea or $6.00 total. DON’T BE FOOLED!
Hi Brandy. Whole Foods and Earthfare are also great – not sure if you have one of those. A mainstream supermarket is also always an option. You may find this post interesting…https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/11/11/real-food-tips-buying-“real-foodâ€-from-a-mainstream-supermarket/. Jill
You should consider reading the Food Babes article on Charles Shaw wines,… it might change your mind about it’s integrity
Their price on organic whole chickens ($2.49/lb) is a great deal. We also buy organic peppers (their 3 in a bag is a better deal than conventional @ most stores), frozen fish (great prices on wild fish), canned salmon (always wild and great on salads or in salmon cakes), frozen organic berries (great for smoothies and to sweeten plain yogurt), avocados, organic heirloom tomatoes and pomegranate white tea (great hot or cold!)
Wild Fish
Then if I can’t find them locally:
Organic Whole Chicken
Organic Apples
Organic Pears
I love that Trader Joe’s offers all these items, and their prices cant be beat…however, my son has a nut allergy and almost all of their dry items are processed on same equipment or may contain nuts. Any other alternatives?? I can only buy my dairy products there.
Hi Brianne. You can try calling them or speaking to the manager at your local store to understand more about that specific labeling. Jill
Not sure if you have a Costco near you, but they have a great price on large sizes of Maranatha Almond Butter (only almonds in the ingredients), organic coconut oil, raw nuts, local raw honey, organic greens and pure maple syrup. Love Trader Joe’s organic produce for the price.
I love their whole wheat tortillas as well. They have 5 or less ingredients in them too. I do make your recipe at times, but I love the convenience of their tortillas for tacos and sandwiches. I also buy organic canned tomatoes and tomato sauce because it’s a lot less expensive than my grocery store. I also buy some frozen fruit, such as, strawberries.
I love Trader Joes! The frozen pineapple tidbits are amazing, not organic but they are amazing! And coconut chips are delicious!!! And there vanilla coconut milk, while not organic, is amazzzzzing!!!!
I just bought a bunch of organic staples (sunflower seed butter, whole wheat pretzels, organic sugar, etc) at vitacost.com. Great prices and delivered right to your door!
Wow it’s called “two buck chuck” here in so cal. They must have raised the price
where you live. I love their creamy cilantro hummus and their roasted red bell pepper hummus
And their reduced guilt pita chips.
Can you do a post about local honey and it’s benefits?
I have not been able to locate good info on it.
Thanks!
I just recently discovered Trader Joe’s and love it! They definitely have the best selection of produce and the prices are way better than mainstream stores. I am careful to read labels there too though. I have noticed that more people read labels at Trader Joes than at other stores!
I also like many of the above but I wanted to mention a can of ripe medium green olives. I do not like green olives but these were SO good! It isn’t organic though:(
I live within walking distance of a TJs so its our run out to get what we forgot place. I’ve gotten most of what you listed though we just switched to coconut oil and it didn’t even dawn on me to check there. I really love their jumbo raisins though. So much that we can’t get them often. I also think their frozen organic berries can’t be beat. My daughter will eat them still frozen out of a bowl.
I like Trader Joe’s. I’m lucky that the one near me has a good selection of produce, so I’m able to do a lot of shopping there. Yes, they do have a lot of processed food I won’t eat, but they have some really great and affordable choices for people who want to avoid additives.
My favorites:
-99 cent organic avocados – I’ve never seen one cheaper.
-Canned tuna in water only – very reasonably priced (the additive-free tuna in mainstream grocery stores runs up to four times as much).
-Frozen fruit
-Frozen seafood
-Grass-fed ground beef
-Sunflower seed butter/almond butter
-Canned coconut milk
-Coconut oil
-One-ingredient fruit juice – you have to look for it, but it is there!
-Nuts and seeds (never had a problem)
-Kerrygold butter
-Tea
We buy most of our grocery-store food at TJs (in Northern CA). Straus (I suspect) cream-top organic whole milk & yogurt, the organic cheddar you show (plus, for every 3 organic, I get 1 of the Sharp but not organic version of the same cheese, and 1 Raw Milk Cheddar, to cut the cost a bit). Occasionally I get whole-milk mozzarella (no rBST, but not organic) and wedges of Parmesan, Romano, or something of that sort. We also get sprouted bread and tortillas (both organic, probably Alvarado Street). Frozen berries for smoothies (mostly the organic wild blueberries which are from Canada, but to a lesser extent the organic raspberries, which are currently from Chile :(), and frozen organic peas for the toddler-who-love-peas (not nearly as nice as Cascadian Farm, but so much cheaper). I *used* to buy all of our nut butters from them, but my husband found out he was allergic to almond butter and they had their organic PB issue, so I have rerouted that purchase for now, and when I run out of homemade I buy their organic fruit spreads (jam). I get produce there when I just need a couple of things and the TJs offerings are decent, but there isn’t anything I always get there. Most weeks, I do farmers market, TJs, and then another local grocery store to supply us for the week (plus a monthly trip to a farther-away natural foods co-op).
great products, will have to look for those crackers. here in PA we have no chuck :( I buy their organic frozen veggies and frozen rice!
Thanks for this post. I haven’t shopped at Trader Joes in a long time. I had them when I lived in Las Vegas, but they have only recently opened one here in Dallas. I haven’t even been into it yet because I do most of my shopping at Sprouts Farmers Market. I may have to travel over to Trader Joes for the coconut oil. Thanks for all your hard work and for keeping us informed. :)
We love TJs fire roasted tortillas. You might want to reconsider Charles shaw. The Food Inc. Companion book sheds light on their numerous subcontractor labor/ human rights violations
Have you thought of getting an aerator for your 3 buck chuck? It can really help a poor bottle of wine pass for decent:)
TJ’s is our go-to grocery, week after week, and a lot of the things you listed here are high on our list. Especially coffee–it’s SO hard to find organic fair trade coffee without spending an arm and a leg. Tortillas have been covered here too…
Honestly, more of what we buy at TJ’s is when we’re looking for lower-impact processed-ish foods, like tortilla chips with only 2 ingredients, or un-scary chicken tenders, or affordable organic canned veggies, or affordable organic frozen fruits, things of that nature…I can’t tell you how many of my go-to meals involve a can of organic diced tomatoes and a bag of frozen roasted bell peppers and onions. Quite the little template, you know? :-)
I get an organic Whole Grain Quinoa, the Brown Rice Medley (which only has 3 ingredients (br rice, barley and radish seeds. so yummy!), and the organic frozen wild blueberries.
I buy so much here! I always pick up some organic limes and lemons. You can usually buy a bag of 6 for under $2.50. I also love the organic brown rice in individual steam bags. I realize it’s more expensive but still under $4 and SO easy (and delish).
We do not have Earth Fare (just Fresh Market) here in Williamsburg, VA, but I do the majority of my shopping at TJ’s. Many of the things you mentioned are staples at our house as well. We do not have Great Harvest, and I don’t always make homemade bread, so their organic, preservative-free whole grain bread is a compromise. Some other staples are: peanut butter, organic fruit spread without sugar, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat flour, olive oil, tea, organic pasta sauce, spices ($1.99!), their soup and broth, frozen green beans and other frozen veggies. I do get several of my produce items there too just because it’s convenient, especially in the winter months when the Farmers Market isn’t around (ours can be rather pricey too.) I buy their organic spinach, bananas and organic apples regularly. Also, their bacon, lunch meats and sausages are all nitrate and msg free. We love their organic olive oil popcorn, but we have an air popper now and make our own. I also get my dog treats there. I get their whole wheat pizza dough, all of my cheeses, eggs, dairy and cereal there too. Also, they have a great selection of frozen fruit for smoothies. When I do occasionally splurge on a sweet treat, it’s nice to know our family isn’t getting artificial flavors or colors. I use their meats on occasion as a backup when I can’t get to the farm. Their frozen fish selection is good too. And of course, their wines! And the absolute best part is that I can get in and out with three kids in 30 minutes for my weekly shopping at a price that doesn’t break my bank.
Thanks for mentioning that TJ’s is not a health food store. Yes, they do have some quality products, but it’s still important to read labels and know what you’re really getting.
As a word of caution…I’ve read a few places that Two Buck Chuck is processed wine, and made with several chemicals. It’s hard to say what’s fact, but it did make me think twice about buying it, even if the price is good. Just a point to consider for you and other readers.
I don’t care for the coconut oil from TJ’s. I really wanted to because if the price. Coconut oil funny enough shouldn’t smell like coconut and this does.
My favorite non processed foods are:
– Frozen French green beans
– frozen artichokes
– fresh Mozerella balls in oil
– shelled and lightly salted edemmame
– leeks that are cut and cleaned in a bag in the refrigerator
– goats milk feta cheese
– green tea
– rolled oats
Virgin coconut actually should smell and taste like coconut. That is how you can tell that it is not processed and is a pure as can be. Just wanted to mention that!
yeah, I’m not sure why you think virgin coconut oil shouldn’t smell like coconut. Refined coconut oil does not smell like coconut, but unrefined/(extra) virgin most certainly does!
I love the coconut oil! We also get our canned salmon, low-sodium tuna, organic hummus, lots of frozen organic fruits and veggies (though you can’t beat Costco’s deal on triple berry mix!). Almond butter, but my fav is: JUST MANGO. Unsulfured, unweetened, delish!
I buy the whole wheat flour tortillas from trader joes. I like the homemade ones but they are so labor intensive and I believe the ones at trader joes follow the rules, but I do have a question. The ingredients are stone ground whole wheat flour, safflower oil, honey Baking Powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate), yeast, sea salt. Is baking powder okay? Why do they list the ingredients that make up the baking powder?
I would like to know the answer to this baking powder question too!
I would guess that it might be because some baking powders contain aluminum. The one they have listed looks to be a double acting baking powder instead.
Staci. The honest answer is I really don’t know. I have seen that many times on packages where they will list the ingredients within the ingredients. It could be to just provide more detail as well in terms of allergens. Sorry I can’t provide you with an answer. Jill
Hi Angela. Beyond the pledge I think those whole wheat tortillas are a good option. More than the baking powder I would be concerned with the safflower oil. Here is some information Carrie Vitt from Deliciously Organic has shared about safflower oil…“Safflower oil is another highly processed oil and is very high in omega-6 fatty acids, so it’s best to choose an alternate oilâ€. Hope this helps. Jill
I have to say that it is the ‘extra-virgin’ organic coconut oil that tastes and smells like coconut. If it doesn’t taste/smell like coconut it has been heat processed or refined.
I love the TJ’s Goat Milk Yogurt in the 32oz container. Their frozen organic berry blend is great, too. To the question above about listing the ingredients for baking powder – apparently it is a big thing for the baking powder to be aluminum-free, and according to the ingredients listed it did not contain aluminum. :)
How fun that you did a post on TJ’s! Love their customer service! Like their chopped brussel sprouts in organic garlic olive oil, organic blue tortilla chips with white bean hummus. Kids like the dried fruit leather – tip, the longer ones (59c) have 2 strips in them instead of the TJ’s brand that just has one and are a bit cheaper. Thanks for doing this post!
Hummus is actually very easy to make and then you can play around with different flavoring on a small scale.
And I agree with the one note on Two Buck Chuck- unless you are spending a ton on $ on wine (and then we should maybe have a different conversation) I would read up on wines that have higher reputation for environmental choices.
But kudos for getting the word out on what some of us have been doing for years. I did not realize until recently how little some people really cook at home. Amie, Yarmouth Maine
My newest addiction is their Ruby Red Chai. It is organic and naturally sugar and caffeine free. I stated drinking it when I gave up desserts for two weeks and I am still drinking it instead of having desserts (well, sometimes at least.) I like it with milk in it.
I also love their reduced sugar jams, their whole wheat Tuscan Pane, and their homemade tortillas ( sometimes we get whole wheat and sometimes white). The price on their organic raisins is awesome, and the bags of organic pears and apples.
We love their organic chocolate hemp protein powder for our after work out smoothies. Also, their frozen organic wild blueberries are great for smoothies or on yogurt.
Someone else may have mentioned this, but we love their Kerrygold grass-fed butter and Grade B Maple Syrup. I think the selection depends on the particular Trader Joe’s. Since we have to drive 2.5 hours to Chicago to shop at one, we’ve visited a number of different stores and they carry different things. I also love their organic tea selection and olive oil. Frozen organic berries are good too, when we run out of the ones we put up from the summer season. It’s not food, but they also carry chlorine-free toilet paper and Dr. Bronner’s soap for a great price.
so many things…
alvarado st sprouted wheat tortilla (made with organic sprouted wheat and organic whole wheat flour)
organic whole wheat pita
organic whole wheat pane loaf
organic lettuces including kale
organic veggies and fruits – fresh and frozen
organic oatmeal
organic cheese – new zealand grass fed
organic milk and yogurt
organic grass fed butter
frozen cubes of garlic, basil, cilantro & ginger
organic fruits and vegetables
organic reduced sugar jelly
organic peanut butter
baked and/or organic chips
akmok crackers
organic olive oil & coconut oil
organic frozen brown rice
organic canned pumpkin
organic canned beans
organic unsalted roasted almonds (to eat and make almond butter with)
raw cashews to make cashew milk with (soooo yummy & easy too – no need to soak)
i’m sure i’m forgetting something but this is most everything. :)
I have recently been shopping more at TJ’s and found their prices reasonable. These are the items I love to buy there:
-bags of fruit: apples, pears, oranges and clementines.
– cherry tomatoes ( my kids pop them like candy)
-Whole wheat bagels because there are 6 in the bag for under $3.00 whereas Publix sells four in their bags for around the same price and are not truly whole wheat…my family loves bagels and TJ’s has been our savior for a better ingredient bagel!
-TJ’s Whole Wheat Flour
-Agree with the statement for prices on nuts and dried fruit
When I go to TJ’s I feel like I am getting good value for the whole products I buy. That is not always the case elsewhere like Publix or Whole Foods where I sometimes feel price gouged for wanting to buy cleaner foods.
All nuts and dried fruit, my kids love just mango
Organic baby greens
Organic bagged apples, perfect size for snack and school lynched
Seaweed snack
Coconut and olive oil
Roasted red peppers
Refried bands and other canned beans
Tuna
Frozen organic fruits and veggies
Cheese, love their cheeses
They have a few nitrate free lunch meats i get too
not as healthy lol but we also love
Organic ketchup and bbq sauce
Tortilla chips and very rarely ridge cut potato chips
Bacon
Spinach tortellini, great price
Pound plus 70% chocolate bar
Coconut flo bars
Joe Joe cookies :)
The price on organic apples and pears is about half of what it costs anywhere else. We also buy the coconut oil, cheese, and the whole grain pretzels. I think they have a sourdough that is whole grain as well. Thanks for posting this one!!!!
We eat gluten free due to my sons allergy- so we love their corn pasta, the GF granola (expensive so we don’t get it every week), frozen mango for smoothies, deli turkey meat, cheddar corn puffs, blue corn chips, rice crackers, love the chewable melatonin for sleep, GF rice Mac n cheese, BBQ chicken mixed with black beans!!
I’ve liked the Baker Josef’s 100percent white whole wheat four… Is that not a good flour to use?? Is regular whole wheat better?
Hi Stephanie. The white whole wheat flour is fine to use. I have never actually tried the Trader Joe’s flour – I use the King Arthur. I’ve been tempted to before though. Jill
I LOVE (can’t say it enough) tj’s coconut oil…..use it for.everything especially to.replace beauty products full of chemicals I’m now trying to avoud. I also work right across the street from a whole foods and the value of tjs oil is uncomparable. I also buy staples at tj’s…butter….coffee (I use their french roast as espresso…soooooo yum) In addition I always buy their soy milk..it is by far the best soy milk I have ever tasted! I am thouroughly hooked on it. Ocassionally I also crumpets because they are hard to find but they go bad fast so I buy them when I know we will use them fast… one last note..I just discovered a yummy tj only treat their pbj dark chocolate bar is yummy! BTW using the coconut oil to replace acne wash, deoderant, lotion and a couple others has saved me a ton of money and made my skin lovely and soft!
How do you use the coconut oil for your skin? I want to but I’m not sure how to start. Thanks!
Hello Jamey. I use it just like I would use any tub of lotion but more sparingly. A little goes a long way. You can add essential oils if you want a bit more of a scent. I sometimes add lavender. It is easy. Try it. ~Amy
I love Trader Joe’s! Some of my usual buys there include: olive oil, brown rice pasta, Mediterranean hummus, low-salt roasted almonds, roasted red pepper soup, fresh mozzarella balls, kerrygold butter, roasted tomato salsa, frozen fish, and yes, two-buck Chuck! Also for an occasional treat the “Power Berries” are good!
Those are many of my favorites as well. I also buy my organic beans there, they switched to BPA free cans a while ago and they are cheaper than the conventional grocery store. Their giant chocolate bars are great for baking, I always have some in the pantry. Our cat gets their brand of dry cat food, and we occasionally use the Refresh body wash. One more thing, they have organic oatmeal (dry in the cereal section) that is the same brand they sell at our local supermarket and Whole Foods but much cheaper. I can get 75% of my shopping done at TJ’s and then supplement at WF or other stores during the week. Saves lots of money for sure!
Tropical Traditions does sell a steam-deodorized coconut oil that does not taste/smell coconutty, but it’s true that most coconut oil that doesn’t have those coconutty characteristics has been chemically processed. Here is a link to the TT oil I mentioned: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/pure-coconut-oil.htm
I find it hard to shop at TJ’s b/c all of their products are processed in the same facility and they label their products (processed in facility with milk, dairy, eggs etc) and my daughter is allergic to all 3 of these items. It this still the case b/c I have not been to TJ’s in a long time b/c of this issue. How about Whole Foods? Does anyone know if their packaging states this? Especially on breads and pretzels ets. Items like that. I have had a had time find a 100% whole grain bread for my daughter that is not processed in a facility with other allergens. Any suggestions?
Hi Kristin. I do believe that is still the case with many of the TJ’s products. I’m not sure about Whole Foods since they carry a much wider variety in terms of brands. My guess is that they would have less of this, but, that’s just a guess. Jill
I love Lara bars too but will not buy them anymore. They are owned by General Mills who spent hundreds of thousands in an effort (and then succeeded) to defeat prop 37.
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it yet but I was so happy too find GRADE B Maple syrup at TJs. Can’t seem to find it anywhere else around here.
I love their sipping chocolate, sea salt dark chocolate almonds and sunflower butter! Also love their seasonal teas!
I think Costco and Wegman’s are cheaper when it comes to these things. I can get large quantities of organic fruits and veggies and meat at Costco. Then Wegman’s has a lot of organic meats, cheeses and cold cuts.
I think Trader’s is over priced and there is always a recall on something since they import a lot of there food.
Love your site and all the good snack recipes for my kids. Thanks so much!
We are on the Whole 30 and got rid of ALL our processed foods and soda.
Agreed TJ’s is not always healthy stuff. I do wish they did not use corn sweeteners or the dreaded PALM OILS in their foods (but that is what replaced the trans-fats in baked goods). However, there are SO many things they have that are FAB for the prices and I do 80% of my shopping there.
Just want to mention that they do try to source GMO-free ingredients in all of their private label (trader joe’s brand) foods.
I am glad to see that you make occasional exceptions to the rules, like with the pretzels. We eat almost all real food with occasional exceptions thanks to your inspiration. Here’s a tip about TJ’s wine: they sell an organic merlot under their name that’sa bit more than the 3 buck Chuck, but it taste much better too! It’s only $5. Worth the extra $2 if you ask me.
Thank goodness for TJs. We have to drive for an hour to get there, but it’s worth our while when we combine it with other necessary shopping. I’ll add my new fave, whole wheat Tuscan Pane(only 4 ingredients!)
I buy many of the same things at Trader Joe’s! I love buying frozen organic berries and fruit. We did a similar post about what to buy at Costco here: http://eating-made-easy.com/2012/09/08/costco-shopping-list/
I like to have a bag or 2 of frozen veggies, just in case. Also, I think tempeh is minimally processed? Man, I am obsessed with that stuff!
Hi Erin. I honestly am not that familiar with tempeh. I’m sure there are varying degrees of it in terms of some being more processed than others. Jill
you’re probably right. I am going to make my own this week, I think. I hope it works!
One of the ingredients in Trader Joe’s whole wheat mini pita pockets is “cultured wheat starch.” I was wondering what are the opinions of you and your contributors regarding this ingredient – is it something to be wary of?
Hi Lauren. I believe that the wheat starch is just whole wheat flour, distilled vinegar and water, so I think it should be fine. Jill
This is a great list. I also love the 100% whole wheat sourdough bread… it makes the best PB&J. I also love TJ’s honey greek yogurt – it is the only sweet yogurt I’ve found that doesn’t include a processed sweetener and it’s made from whole milk. Though not organic, it is rbGH free. My daughter just won’t do plain yogurt… Just curious why you don’t drink only organic wine? Is there not an issue with pesticides in that form?
We sometimes drink organic wine…I suppose we aren’t as good elsewhere as we are in the food department! Definitely room for improvement with our wine selection. I agree.
Hi Friends!
I am new to this “real food” strategy and am becoming very overwhelmed, very quickly. My husband and I are trying to eat better and live a healthy lifestyle but there are so many conflicting stories on the internet, it’s hard to know where to start. We are taking baby steps and I love that your website can help me do that. I shop at T.J’s and found myself reading every label yesterday which took me almost 2 hours for this week’s groceries. I didn’t know what to do for bread. I ended up buying T.J’s 100% whole wheat Fiber Bread. Is this a good choice? The ingredients are as follows: Sprouted Organic Whole Wheat Berries, Filtered Water, Wheat Gluten, Oat Fiber, Organic Dates, Yeast, Organic Raisins, Organic Vinegar, Cultured Wheat, Sea Salt, Safflower Oil, and Barley Malt. I am praying this is a good choice becuase it actually tastes not half bad. As a full-time working woman, making my own bread, oatmeal,and granola is just too time consuming. Like I said, baby steps.
I purchased a ton of fresh fruit and vegetables, organic PB (only 2 ingredients) and cheese/lunchmeat. How do i know which cheese is best? I got the same brand cheese above but just in smoked Gouda. Is this ok? I also got No additives or Nitrates turkey and ham. At this point, it was over 2 hours and I couldn’t read anymore labels. I’m just so confused and overwhelmed! Help please:-)
I just like to share my opinion on your questions:
The non-cured/no additives/no nitrates ham and hotdogs is a hoax for two reasons. Firstly, in order to produce products like hotdogs, salami, etc. you need nitrate, period. In order to avoid the label “nitrate” manufacturers are adding vegetables high in nitrate (mostly celery). However, the nitrate content is the same as in conventionally produced cured meats. It is the same concept as adding yeast (naturally high in glutamate) to avoid the label MSG. Secondly, newer research shows, that nitrate and nitrite are not as harmful as long assumed.
For me, bread should only contain very few ingredients (wheat and eventually other grains, water, salt, yeast). I found the best breads in artisan bakeries or on farmer’s markets. However, I did not grow up in the US and I am more used to heavier, darker breads with a real crust – you might not like this type. The one you picked at Trader Joe’s I would not take, but if you like it…
Cheese – you have to decide what is important for you: taste, organic, etc. and go from there. Packaged supermarket cheese won’t kill you and if you like it its certainly good to pick whatever type you like best. But, its taste is far away from real (mostly imported) cheese. Try some real cheese from a place, where they cut you a fresh piece from a huge loaf and you’ll taste the difference. Unfortunately, the latter ones are $$.
I think, you are on the right track and the hugest improvements you can make by working on your cooking skills, doing as much as home-cooking as possible and increasing your vegetable and fruit intake. All the other details, like organic versus non-organic or which oil, grain, pasta, etc. to take are secondary issues that can be addressed sometime down the road.
Trader Joe’s – the ALDI for intellectuals. ALDI is a German supermarket chain, that manages to sell their stuff for dirt cheap by working directly with the manufacturers and offering a limited number of products. Trader Joe’s is part of ALDI and the owners are the richest Germans. ALDI has a reputation of being ruthless, ruining prices for manufacturers and farmers. But they seem to be playing by the book as their products are normally doing okay in independent tests. As for Trader Joe’s, I assume they are also playing by the book, but they are certainly not organic by conviction. I recommend the movie “In organic we trust”, which shows that mass-produced organic is in a lot of ways not much different from mass-produced conventional.
Hi Autum. It is very overwhelming at first, but, I promise, it does soon become second nature. In terms of bread, do you have a Great Harvest nearby? That’s the best option if you don’t want to make it yourself. Or, our Whole Foods (if you are local) carries a brand called Breadsmith – their honey whole wheat also only has 5 ingredients. In terms of cheese, I would stick to organic if you can, or at least ones free of hormones and from grass fed cows. And, yes, if you are going to buy lunch meant (my kids still enjoy it too :-)), then, I would get the Applegate Organics line which is free of nitrates. Hope that helps some. Best of luck. Jill
I worry at all health food stores about what grade of water hose they use when spraying their fresh vegetables. I know some water hose and other ruber,etc hose have labels on them that say not to drink from them and to wash your hands following the use of them due to chemicals KNOWN to cause cancer used in them.
Just thought I would pass on two sources for things your readers might like…and you can order them online. I buy Wilderness Family Naturals brand for coconut oil. Since we use so much I buy the BIG 1 gallon pail. I generally get centrifuge extracted (never heated) but the cold pressed is pretty good too. I think you might find it is cheaper than TJ per ounce. http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/. Also, for bread we buy from a local company. They are in the process of changing their name from Cybros to Angelic Bakery. If you have ever had Ezekial bread, this stuff is WAY, WAY better. Sorry, but I thought Ezekial bread tasted like cardboard. This stuff is amazing. You can order it online and have it shipped. They ship the same day they bake. https://thesproutedbakehouse.com/
I have no affiliation with either company…just a big fan of both! Thanks for sharing!
Colleen
Trader Joes, whole wheat lavash bread is also a great alternative to tortillas or even regular bread. I use them to make wraps for lunch, Or just rip it in half and spread some hummus onto it for a light midnight snack!
I’ve heard from other whole food blogs honey should be raw, local or a grade B. what is your take?
Hi Danielle. Lisa has used a variety of honeys in her recipes. She typically buys local honey from Earth Fare. ~Amy
I am in Kernersville NC, between Greensboro & Winston Salem, and we got a new Trader Joes a few months ago. I love that it is just 10min from my house as opposed to EarthFare which is about 30. It makes it easier for quick small grocery trips. I buy a lot of these same items including nuts like raw almonds and sunflower seeds to make nut butters. I have had great quality so far with their nuts but was wondering your thoughts on Organic vs conventional. Does Charlotte’s TJs have organic almonds and other nuts? Ours don’t say organic on the bag. I don’t see organic on your shelf tags in the photo above. Thoughts? Is it ok?
Hi Hanna. I have seen organic nuts from time to time in Trader Joe’s but not at the one we frequent here in Charlotte. Organic is always a smart choice especially for peanuts (legumes technically) since they are so heavily sprayed. If you want the organic varieties, Trader Joe’s is good about stocking items their customers request. Good luck. Amy
So I stopped in Trader Joe’s yesterday to find a sign at their front door that reads “Did you know? A Trader Joe’s label means…No GMOs, No MSG, No artificial flavors, or preservatives, No synthetic colors and No partially hydrogenated oils”.
So I asked a clerk about it and she said that any of their products that have the Trader Joe’s name/label on it means that they are made with out the above items. This was news to me, as I was looking specifically for items that noted the lack of these items.
What are your thoughts on these items vs. the organic ones? Should I still seek out organic items even if there are no gmo, msg, etc in the non organic TJ items?
Hello Camille. I buy Trader Joes branded items pretty much exclusively when there. If they have organic TJs versions, I will choose those. When it comes to their produce, it is good to stick to organic when possible especially when purchasing anything from the dirty dozen list: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/.
@Camille – Trader Joe’s can’t be trusted! I can’t eat anything with MSG in it so I have been emailing Trader Joe’s to ask about some of their products to see if they contain MSG since they do market their products as being MSG free. MSG can go by many different names, including NATURAL FLAVORS, SPICES, SEASONINGS, and the list goes on. One of my favorite TJ products that I used to eat, before I realized many of my health problems were caused by MSG, is the Organic Red Pepper Tomato Soup which shows NATURAL FLAVORS on its label. So I emailed TJ’s to ask if that meant there was MSG in it. I have sent 3 emails and I have yet to get a response. I then went to my local TJ’s and asked the manager the same question (I live in Rochester MN). I asked him if a product contains “natural flavors, spices or seasonings” on their label does that mean there is MSG in it? He told be absolutely no. So I bought some of the tomato soup and ate it and within a day, I had the same reactions I get whenever I consume MSG. I was sooooo disappointed (not to mention sick)! Don’t believe it for a second that they don’t use chemicals in their products because they do. MY BODY DOES NOT LIE! I get a migraine, my stomach hurts (bloated and painful), and my appetite kicks into overdrive. Trader Joe’s are traitors too!
Lauren,
I am the same way, anything with MSG hidden in it under the name of spices or natural flavors makes me feel awful. It is very hard to eat out anywhere!
Thank you! This is a great guide, especially for someone like me who is just starting out (more seriously) with going all organic and healthier overall. I was wondering, the coconut oil you buy at TJ’s for $5.99, what is the size, so that i may compare at other places, and on Amazon? Thanks! I love your blog and website! :)
Hi Christina. It is 16oz of organic virgin coconut oil. ~Amy
I was just wondering about TJ meats? As I am just starting out, trying to eat more healthy.
Hi Ebony. You can find some organic packaged meats at Trader Joe’s but it is unlikely you will find anything that is fresh and local. Hope that helps. ~Amy
Is that espresso blend just for an espresso machine or for coffee maker?
Hi Adrianne. Lisa uses an espresso machine but I’ve used it in a french press. I’ve not tried it in automatic drip. ~Amy
I buy their canned tomato sauce (no BPA) and their bagged organic green (kale, chard ans spinach) for my smoothies. Also almond meal is dirt cheap their and even though they aren’t an ideal “real food” I do buy my son their organic pop tarts.
Complain all you want about the “commercial” Trader Joe’s – we live overseas in Europe and I miss it EVERY DAY!!!! The reality is that we are lucky to have a store like trader joe’s that was one of the 1st of it’s kind to offer the clean living dieter the option of eating healthy – I am older and remember the horror of the heath food stores of the 80’s – The old adage is true – you don’t know what you got till it’s gone – trust me – It’s AWESOME and even the super healthy stores of Europe have nothing on the variety, selection and choice at TJ’s – Don’t knock them for trying to make a buck in this economy – at least they are staying true to their roots – Europe would be perfect with a Trader Joe’s and maybe a Barnes and Noble – and a Home Depot – ;)
I love the little round loaves of organic, 100% whole wheat bread they carry. Three ingredients and they taste like wonderful French bread.
Lisa- you must try the Green Fin Organic wine from Trader Joes! I love the red and white table wines. They only cost a dollar more than the Charles Shaw so they still stay in the budget!
I bought some brown rice noodles at Trader Joe’s. The ingredients are organic brown rice and water and they were only $1.99. Tried them tonight and honestly you would never know the difference between them and regular white noodles. Are they a good alternative or is the rice too processed in order to make it into a noodle? There are so many things I would have never tried a few weeks ago. Thank you so much for your blog. I have learned so much and I love your real world approach.
Hi Tracy. 100% brown rice noodles are a great whole grain pasta choice! ~Amy
Lisa, do you buy organic nuts/seeds? I have been buying pretty much 100% organic items but as the family keeps growing the food budget is getting quite high and I’m just wondering what items might be ok to switch to conventionally grown without compromising the healthy of my kids. Thanks so much.
Hi Nicole. Because of their high fat content, many nuts and seeds absorb harmful chemicals easily. It is better to buy them organically when you can, especially those that are consumed frequently. Peanuts (which are a legume) are one of the most contaminated crops and is one I would not buy conventionally. ~Amy
I’ve sort of plugged my ears to this for a while, but started buying organic peanut butter recently. However, almond butter is my absolute favorite and I can’t seem to find it for less than $10/jar. :-(
Kareen, I buy organic almond butter at Costco! Surprising, I know. I think it’s $6 for a really large jar, something like 24 ounces, which is the best deal I’ve found. I just stock up on that, and never run out. It’s delicious.
Oh, good to know! I need to make a costco run soon anyway. I’ll look for it. Thanks!
If you have a food processor, it is very easy to make your own nut butters. Our favorite is cashew butter. Pecan is also very good.
Hmm I had never really thought about peanuts and pesticides. Not sure why not. Does this mean that non-organic peanut butter if full of pesticides????
Hi Kelly. I would buy organic peanut butter. :) ~Amy
I like to buy the canned coconut milk (the “light” version) because there are 2 ingredients: coconut milk & water. Its the perfect consistency. I also buy grass fed cheddar cheese, their harvest whole wheat bread, sometimes grass fed meat there (if its on sale), yogurt and milk :)
Absolute garbage made mostly by Ralcorp and Con Agra giant food factories. the same ones that fought the GMO law in California..
Giant German Company
Using giant food factories that also make Costco stuff
to Package Handmade hippie cute packaging
by Hawaiian shirt wearing surfer dudes….!!! for real…
Why did they buy this California Company????
It’s all marketing and staging…. and the lemmings fall for it again…
We are a small business that supplies one of the baking mixes with the TJ label. We are NOT a giant food Factory. We had to change our recipe a little to meet the high standards of Trader Joex. Just so you know…
I don’t believe the claims by Trader Joe’s that their products do not contain MSG (or sulfites). After trying many of their house brands, I immediately felt the agony of a migraine headache coming on. As a recent article said – they do not disclose any of their sourcing – and do not offer transparency of ingredients to the public. If you are also suffering from migraine headaches after eating their products – PLEASE POST HERE – so others can be warned about the strong possibility that they are using a form of MSG in many of their items. I hope that a national TV program like “60 minutes” or “20/20” investigates all the claims made by Trader Joe’s including their labeling practices, manufacturing techniques, and limited disclosure of ingredients. Are we supposed to simply trust this company when they use the terms “organic” “gluten-free” and “all natural?” I truly hope that I’m wrong about this company – but, my headaches after eating their various foods – tells me – I’m right. In my view, they should practice full disclosure like other legitimate food manufacturers. Hopefully, the FDA will crack-down on them and put an end to their secrecy and abuse of the public trust.
MSG triggers migraines in me as well. I tend to not buy anything that has the words ‘natural flavor’ in it. Which particular items from TJ’s did you think didn’t have MSG but which seemed to trigger a migraine? I’m just curious.
This is a case of always needing to read labels. I have found MSG listed (usually as autolyzed yeast) in many TJ products. I also experience migraines when consuming MSG. Here is just one of many sources for hidden names of MSG: http://www.msgexposed.com/hidden-sources-of-msg-monosodium-glutamate-on-food-ingredient-labels/
I, too shop at Trader Joe’s NYC. TJ is one of my comparison stores in which I can get stuff cheaper than Whole Foods and Westerly Health food store, and the local supermarket where I live. I normally purchase their spirulina tablets and organic red quiona, lentils, coconut milk, nuts, pumpkin seeds, organic lemons, organic carrots, etc. This store is a CRAVE- lines be out the door. And we only have their wine store in 1 location in Manhattan- always buy their Marsala Dry Wine (use it for cooking), and organic red wine.
http://LivingItUpAlternatively.blogspot.com
I like Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Organic dry pastas, organic brown rice, and I usually buy their pure maple syrup and raw nut butters.
Several items similar to yours – we buy our honey at Earth Fare to get local which is supposed to help with immune system, I believe. We also get the Organic popped popcorn for a quick snack and the freeze dried bananas & mangoes – some of their lunch meats/hotdogs with no nitrates/nitrites (get most of meat from What’s Your Beef). I know… lots of controversy lately – but I love our local store/staff and at least they try (I believe)… we do the best we can.
I only buy their organic offerings, but beware of their produce – it goes bad much, much faster than WF, Earthfare or even, Harris Teeter. Makes me wonder if it sits somewhere too long, because I don’t believe it’s any fresher. Also, in comparative shopping, sometimes Whole Foods Organic 365 brand is actually cheaper, and even more so if you use their coupons.
I like the “Healthy 8” veggie mix – http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=398. I like to have it as a quick salad topping or to stir fry for an easy side.
Maple syrup, dried fruit and nuts. Plus whatever veggies look good, and cases of wine!! But it’s a 3 hour drive for us so ti’s more dry goods than fresh..
There isn’t a Trader Joe’s within an hour of us, so we have never been to one.
I buy most of the things on your list and I also buy ghee and dried mango (the unsweetened, “just mango” version) from Trader Joe’s. You can’t beat the price of their macadamia nuts – much cheaper than Whole Foods and they taste fresher.
I like TJ’s organic hummus too! Also buy their organic brown rice pasta. I’ll keep my eye out for the yogurt you pictured – Organic whole milk plain yogurt – just what I want! It seems so hard to find, everything is low fat. I do have a yogurt maker, and I know I should use it someday soon. Will also give their organic cheese another look for the price! For produce (and cheese) I prefer local farmers markets and a new Whole Foods that opened up nearby … this one has a roof top garden that is operated by the Food Project (local nonprofit) and they are really good about supporting and selling things from local farms. Oh, and TJs and this Whole Foods both have decent $2.99 wine! Which ever one I happen to be hitting …
I heard that the Charles Shaw wine is full of additives and not even a traditional aged wine. Do you know if this is true?
I buy Ezekial bread at trader Joe’s so much cheaper than other places.
I don’t shop there much because time only allows for me to shop at one grocery store and I need more gluten free alternatives for my family.
Was wondering though, do you find that the folks at the farmer’s market actually tell you when they spray chemical pesticides or use synthetic fertilizers on their produce? I feel like they all say ‘No. no. We don’t use any of that stuff.’ and I find it hard to believe that so few of them do.
Hi Erika. A farmers’ market will leave it to each farmer to explain their own growing practices. It is up to the customer to ask questions. You may feel better if you dig a little deeper with each farmer you speak to. This might help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/09/23/real-food-tips-10-pointers-for-farmers%E2%80%99-market-shopping/. ~Amy
I would be careful about what you buy from Trader Joe’s. Like another person already pointed out, TJ’s is getting a ton of backlash from recent investigations into their products containing GMO and their lack of transparency in listing the source of their ingredients in their private brand. To me, you get what you pay for. There’s a reason why their products cost less: they’re not using quality ingredients. With that said, I’m sure there are some things there worth getting, but they make it so darn hard to trust them since they refuse to get their products verified as non-GMO by a third party company. Also, stay away from the shampoo; just read an article that unsafe levels of DEA were found in a brand they carry.
http://www.healthline.com/health-news/cancer-dangerous-chemical-found-in-shampoos-and-soaps-082913
I also buy frozen organic blueberries and the frozen spinach as a back up when I run out of fresh. I also will buy frozen wild salmon and scallops and shrimp. I have no idea if there seafood is any better.
I love your blog. I’m committed to unprocessed as well. Once you start cooking this way, it becomes second nature. You are so fortunate if you have a Trader Joe’s nearby.
The store may not be perfect, but it does have a good selection of organic products. I shop at Aldi for some of my organic produce. Although the selection is limited, you usually can’t beat the prices.
I get their coffee beans, nuts and coconut oil like you too- plus I have gotten bags of chia seeds at TJ’s for under $5. They are not organic but less than half the price of non organic elsewhere. I tend to get dairy staples like butter, eggs, half and half, and plain Greek yogurt there too. Some organic, some not- but all labeled as hormone free. They have organic corn tortilla chips I tend to get each time I go.
I always buy hummus, chia seeds, organic Tuscan kale, nuts, honey, grade B maple syrup, and cheese if I need it for a fancy party.
I love your blog and this is my first time commenting. I thought I would tell you I used to buy the 3 buck chuck as well but recently have been turned onto to there $3.99 organic wine called Green Fin! We love the taste and the price! Thanks for all you do! I have also switched to whole foods eating and a lot of it has to do with what you post! Thanks for the education!
I love the 3-layer hummus from Trader Joe’s. Also the pita bread, yogurt, frozen mango and pineapple, and I love the bags of frozen meatballs for quick easy meatball subs or spaghetti for dinner. I don’t get down there very often, but when I do I stock up on coconut milk, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and canned black and garbanzo beans. I especially think the artichokes are a better price and much better tasting than other stores.
Love Trader Joe’s!! I like their organic brown rice pasta and their high protein organic sprouted tofu and tempeh! Also their chia seeds and organic dark chocolate!
We’re fortunate to have TJ’s less than a mile away. So it has become my convenience store. My list usually has bread, Greek yogurt, hummus, tortilla chips, spinach, lara bars, coconut milk… and Green Fin wine.
I like all manner of things from Trader Joe’s. Especially organic fruits and vegetables and dairy products. I like shopping there because my kids rarely notice anything except the fruit laid at eye level. There is no branded marketing (Disney characters on junk food, etc) and I rarely get asked to buy something junky. There is also a kids table with crayons and paper and non-food activities for them to do while I shop. About transparency, if you don’t trust the USDA organic label, I don’t know how you get by, unless you have an organic farm in your backyard. Even farmers at the farmers market have a business to run and may tell you what you want to hear in order to make a sale. USDA organic at one store is equal to USDA organic at another store, it’s as simple as that. And to the commenter who called a store full of whole fruits, vegetables, whole grain, eggs and dairy “all garbage”, frankly, that is the kind of statement that causes lots of people to dismiss the organic movement as hoity-toity elitist baloney, which is a huge shame (since it moves things backwards, not forwards). Letting the perfect be the enemy of the good results in neither perfect nor good.
Organic Ketchup for $1.99! HFCS free :) In a plastic container which isn’t ideal, but for $1.99, I’ll take it
If you can’t eat 100% organic, at least eat non-GMO! By the way…Lara Bars may claim to be non-GMO, as does Silk (soy milk)but they are under the GMA (Grocery Manufacturer’s Association) who have paid out millions of dollars to stop YES on 522 in Washington State. For this reason alone, I don’t support these companies. Do some investigations on your own. Not everything is as it always seems. I also don’t trust TJ’s 100% because they are not transparent. Time will tell.
Boo, I’m so sorry to hear that about Lara Bars! I have yet to find any other brands that have such real food ingredients (without being too sweet)!
Super easy to make on your own if you have a food processor! Our family LOVES the ones from http://www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com.
I agree! Chocolatecoveredkatie lara bars are awesome and soooo easy! I use my vitamix.
Awesome, thank you for sharing that! I can’t wait to try them.
OMG the recipes on Chocolatecoveredkatie look amazing! I’m tempted to start making all of them right now, despite the fact that it’s almost bedtime!
I love the TJ’s plant-based laundry detergent. No phosphates, no junk. The lavender scent is heavenly too. For $9.99 for a 100oz bottle, it’s perfect on the budget too!!! Also love the children’s chewable vitamins. No funky stuff in there.
I buy yogurt there as well – organic soy yogurt for my dairy allergic child. Unfortunately they have been out of stock for several months, but we really love it. For a treat, I buy the kids the organic fruit strips (like fruit leather). I also like the bagged organic apple slices.
I love the turkey meatballs, sweet potato fries and frozen edamame. I also love their cheeses, however I tried the new Zealand cheddar pictured above and I broke out in hives for the 1st time in my life! (Twice because I had to make sure it was really the cheese). Love TJ nevertheless.
Hey…Charles Shaw wine is really good! We keep it in stock at our house and everyone who has it loves it. While it might be a three buck chuck wine… it tastes like a $20-$30 bottle. And you can’t beat the price! Only drawback… It used to be a two buck chuck ;)
Kimberly, check out Food Babe’s post on Trader Joe’s and her note towards the bottom about two buck chuck… I’m not super picky about my wine, and love to get a good deal, but unfortunately Charles Shaw is not the best choice.http://foodbabe.com/2013/08/07/what-is-trader-joes-hiding/ I still buy a few things at Trader Joe’s, but it’s hard to find good things there.
In the fall til Christmas, the product I love best at Trader Joe’s is their Pumpkin Butter. They also have mango and fig butters that are good! It is really the BEST with not much good sugars added.
I LOVE!! the corn tortillas..excellent
Also the vanilla ice cream is the best
Just mango dried mango slices. Great snacks!
I hesitate to share this cuz I don’t want the stock depleted when I go next time…but the BEST cheap white wine at TJ’s is the Vinas Chilenas Trader Joe’s Reserva sauvignon blanc at $3.49 (Oregon prices)…it’s with the other Chilean wines right next to the bubbly….really a nice taste and much nicer than the Charles Shaw chardonney. My fav and I’m not gonna go read the label, is the green salsa that they keep in jars by the chips. So good on everything!
Trader Joes’ Green Fin wine is made with Organic Grapes and is only about $1.00 more than 2 buck chuck.
I use to buy what use to be called Two buck check but then I read where its one of the most unhealthiest wines out there….lots of sulfates!
Trader Joes’ Soy Sauce is one of the few soy sauces out there that is actually 100% MSG free!!
Foods and condiments stating no MSG or no added MSG can be misleading, as Monosodium glutamate goes under the name of glutamate, monosodium glutamate, glutamic acid, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, gelatin, textured protein, hydrolyzed protein, yeast extract. Most of the time, ontaining MSG are malt, barley malt, boullion, stock, carrageenan, maltodextrin, whey protein, pectin (anything enzyme modified). NATURAL FLAVORS, protein fortified, soy protein….
Trader Joes’ soy sauce is naturally fermented, raw and unpasteurized. Hoorah!
You may want to rethink some of this list…like the Three Buck Chuck. More like Yuck!
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505144_162-57191651/4-things-not-to-buy-at-trader-joes/
http://foodbabe.com/2013/08/07/what-is-trader-joes-hiding/
My staples include organic apples , organic berries, chopped cauliflower, organic string beans , spaghetti squash, whole wheat and brown rice pastas, organic garbanzo beans, dates, mission figs, organic popcorn, Ezekiel bread, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, almond butter, chia seeds, organic grapes, sliced pineapple, organic frozen berries , organic extra virgin coconut oil, grass fed New Zealand cheese.
I love the pumpkin soup. I’ve had a crohns flare – and to get my veggies I bought this. I am going back today for a few more boxes. I need to try the pumpkin butter, and the non fat Greek pumpkin yogurt is divine!!
I feel better today, and otherwise my favorites are: the frozen orange chicken , low cal lemonaide, the plain hummus, the organic brown rice Krispy bars, the sherbets, the whole baking isle in general, and of course the tea tree tingle shampoo, body wash and conditioner. And I cannot live with out the coconut oil, and sea salt (to make homemade body scrub with their fine sea salt mixed together) I need the coconut milk like I need air! Cannot live without it.
Organic quinoa & brown rice pasta. My family loves it way more than whole wheat pasta.
Peanut butter, olive oil, balsamic vinegar.
Your list is exactly what I buy at Trader Joe’s! We also get salsa there. The closest one to us is about 100 miles away, (in Cary, NC), but we make a point of going there about once a month to stock up. I also grab some of their organic produce if we don’t make it to the Farmer’s Market, because it is cheaper there than in our local stores. I look forward to going there because it means we can stock up on “goodies”. (I am a sucker for their coffee, nuts, and salsa!)
Just wondering your thoughts on the fact that they don’t list whether the coconut oil is refined or unrefined. It also doesn’t mention whether it is cold pressed. I prefer the unrefined cold pressed and with them not listing it, it makes me believe that it may be produced a cheaper and less healthy way.
Hello Dawn. I’ve always understood “virgin” coconut oils to unrefined. Maybe I need to dig deeper… ~Amy
We love their turkey coldcuts, guac, mozzarella blocks, several of their produce and bread options, and tons of the frozen items(blueberry waffles, chicken tenders, fish fillets, fish sticks for the kids, etc). My favorite find there is still the frozen cheese pizzas: ~$5 and awesome! I also like their sushi, but it has lots of bad stuff in it. :(
Ugh their wine is why I hate Tennessee’s liquor laws that don’t let grocery stores sell wine! But I, too, do my shopping at both TJs and Earth Fare. I do love TJs chocolate selection, though :)
We buy all of our green smoothie stuff there. Frozen organic fruit, organic spinach (best price I can find), coconut oil, and organic bananas. I also regularly buy nuts, cheese, organic milk (best price and not ultra pasteurized), coconut milk, organic beans, organic broccoli, yogurt, and their vanilla ice cream is some of the best I’ve had! Oh, and organic mustard and ketchup when I think about it.
I love the flourless sprouted wheat berry bread.
Organic frozen fruit, Organic baby spinach ($1.99!!!!), nuts, Ezekial bread, organic string cheese, organic greek yogurt
This is a great list, but I thought I would add that these foods will vary depending on the state you live in. TJ’s is a brand and a lot of their food will be the same because it’s not locally sourced (well, for me anyway. I live in mn), but the nice thing is Trader Joes DOES have local products but just re-packages these foods in TJ’s brand (i.e. bread, honey, hummus, etc).
My point is, not everyone will be buying the exact same products because they most likely will be from a local company in the area Of the consumer. Kinda great but can be frustrating if you’re looking for something specific you have found at another trader joes in another state
I regularly buy my bread, organic Persian Cucumbers, organic unsweetened applesauce, organic whole wheat pasta, canned beans (my husband LOVES beans, and I love the non BPA can linings) We also like their regular potato chips. One of the things I cannot rid my husband from!
My family has gluten issues so we get TJ’s gluten free bagels and breads, corn tortillas as well as Barbara’s GF cereals. TJ’s org steelcut oatmeal, organic eggs, organic butter, most of my organic produce – fresh and frozen, nuts/seeds, organic dark chocolate (for those cravings!), organic corn chips and salsa, organic applesauce, Sunflower seed butter (my son’s peanut and nut allergies), organic quinoa, organic canned beans (w/o BPA), rice pasta, organic pasta sauce, organic olive oil, organic cheese, occasionally nitrite free hot dogs, organic hummus, org coconut oil, organic rice milk (we also have diary issues), organic yogurt and cheese (for those w/o dairy issues), nitrate free cold cuts. I find you need to look at the labels as you would at any other store.
Love TJs! It’s affordable primal/paleo paradise. I buy grass-fed ground beef, uncured bacon, smoked salmon (no additives!), cans of wild salmon and tuna, smoked oysters, bananas, bags of organic frozen berries, frozen kale/spinach, bulk bags of sweet potatoes/ avocados, Kerrygold butter, honey, almond meal, and those deliciously addictive dried mangoes. If I’m cheating on paleo, their organic rice pasta is wonderful, along with their olive oil potato chips.
Do you know if the TJ’s coconut oil is unrefined or refined? I bought it but don’t see anywhere on jar that tells. Also, I’d love to hear your opinion on unrefined vs refined. Thank you in advance and keep up the great work!!!
Hi Lauren. It is organic virgin (unrefined) oil. :) ~Amy
Even though I am thoroughly disappointed with some of the ingredients TJ’s adds in their products, I am SO thankful for some of their organic products because it saves us a ton of money! Our TJ’s staples are: organic, flash-pasteurized orange juice, organic Greek yogurt, organic 100% grass fed beef, organic butter, organic brown rice pasta, organic beans, organic quick cook brown rice, granular humus, cheese, organic frozen fruits and veggies….we like to get some of their better quality frozen foods for quick meals too! ALL at a fraction of the cost elsewhere!! :)
Granular humus was supposed to say organic hummus…not sure how that happened hah!
Pita bread is full of gluten and isn’t natural. Whole wheat is horrible nutrition advice. I hope people reading your blog recognizes that. It’s very unnatural and misleading. Good job on the coconut oil. That’s really the best thing on this list
Maybe this has been covered I didn’t read all the comments, what’s going on with ‘trader’ joes listing ingredients “incorrectly”? I still went and stocked up on our favs today . Pizza sauce, oatmeal, apple sauce, cheese sticks, cheddar/parm block, shaved parm , corn salsa, bolognese ravioli, the list goes on! Prices just can’t be beat, maybe there’s a reason … :0(
I have yet to succumb to the allegations until a real answer is revealed.
What do YOU think?
Hi Christine. I think all those allegations are still up in the air. Specifically, I think it was over the use of the term “evaporated cane juice” rather than just sugar as well as claiming “no preservatives” but using tocopherol. I would always advise to look very closely at all labels. ~Amy
The steel cut oatmeal from frozen aisle is amazing!
What do you guys do with coconut oil? Here is my list of Trader Joe’s food we buy : http://www.sweetieandgeek.com/the-best-food-to-buy-at-trader-joes/
Hi. Lisa mostly uses it in baking recipes: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/02/07/how-to-cook-with-coconut-oil/. I use it on my skin, too. ~Amy
When I went to Trader Joes last week I found expeller pressed canola oil. Says no solvents used. What do you think? I use a lot of coconut oil and butter, but hate always having to melt them. Coconut oil stayed solid. Out of the year in WA.
Hi Nana. Canola oil is not an oil Lisa uses. Most vegetable oils are also GMO. Here’s more info on oils: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/14/mini-pledge-week-10-no-refined-oils/. ~Amy
Making homemade lara bars is so easy!! 2 cups pitted dates, 1 cup peanuts, 1 cup almonds. Grind up desperately in food processor and then combine. Press into a pan and refrigerate. Cut into squares. A lot cheaper than buying the real deal.
Good thing I re-read that before I hit send! Grind them up separately, not desperately! lol!
I also make my own Lara Bars. I love them with dates, dried cherries, almonds and cashews and my kids like them with dark cocoa powder mixed in…we call them brownie bites here. :)
I buy Trader Joe’s organic pasta and organic tomato sauce! The prices are cheaper than any other place around!
Plantain chips! Love them!
I found the whole milk yogurt was pretty runny compared to Stoneyfield. I tried it with organic maple syrup and mashed strawberries and it was so delicious!
Also, BJs has great prices on nuts like pecans and walnuts! Pretty good quality, also!
I bought some of the TJ’s coconut oil a while back, because I kept hearing so much about it… Now I’m trying to figure out what to do with it.
You can buy local honey in a squeeze bottle http://cloisterhoney.com/collections/all-products. If you are buying the glass bottle that has a Sharon Amity address on it it’s not really local.
Organic peanut butter and jelly.
I love the Cocunut Chips that are only $1.99 per bag. You must like Cocunut to like them, but they are SO ADDICTIVE! It’s shaved Cocunut sliced baked in Cocunut cream and water and lightly sweetened and lightly salted. They are a must try!
Keep cashews and other nuts in the freezer – they last much longer!
Well, I am feeling a little guilty, because even as I write, I am eating the dark chocolate covered almonds with sea salt. I try not to buy them but they are my guilty pleasure, but only on occasion! I agree you still have to look at the ingredients and I have to stay aware of the total carbs, so you are right – read those labels!!! My staples from Trader Joe’s are: refrigerated pizza dough, the almond flour, cheaper than any place else in town, the yogurt (we especially love the banana,) and the Kiefer. Oh and .99 cards at the check out and flowers, can’t forget they usually have really fresh, affordable, seasonal bunches!
Those dark chocolate almonds with sea salt are the BEST! I can’t buy them very often because they’re so addictive. Guess I’m not the only one who loves them!
I am obsessed with their unsweetened, unsulphered dried mangos! So amazing!
I actually buy quite a bit of produce there. The organic bagged apples and pears and the organic tri-color peppers are some of the best prices around. Also love the organic frozen fruits and veggies (broccoli, blueberries etc) and frozen cooked edamame.
I like trader joes, but don’t shop there often. My big problem is with their organic products, a lot of the items aren’t usda organic. I would like to see a third party verifier. It’s putting a lot of trust into a company seeking profits.
Tricia, I do not use Trader Joes coconut oil but I do use coconut oil. I cook chicken in it. I use it for a carrier oil when adding essential oils to make home made eczema cream for my daughter. I used it the whole time I was pregnant and have no stretch marks. The list goes on. I recently just started oil pulling as well. :)
What do you use the coconut oil for?
Hi Sue. Lisa uses coconut oil in many of her recipes. It is also a good sub for butter in baking. ~Amy
Will you build a TJ’s inndenton, tx Please!
For a limited time Aldi’s has coconut oil for $4.99! They have new organic products all the time. Both Trader Joe’s and Aldi’s were birthed from the same original country!
Coconut oil, peanut butter (the real unsalted stuff), nuts, Ezekiel sprouted bread because we don’t have a bakery and I don’t have the time (or maybe just discipline) to make my own, wine, and their Cabernet roast (because it’s delicious and easy and a treat for us once every two or three months), oh and oatmeal. Mmmm.
Actually, the owner of Aldi owns Trader Joe’s.
I have lots of choices for fresh produce, organic dairy and whole grain breads. I use TJ for frozen items to supplement fresh and homemade–frozen organic brown rice (a favorite fast food) and frozen vegetables (all kinds).
One treat I like to buy for my daughter’s lunch is their banana bread. I think it only has five ingredients and it’s made with whole wheat flour, bananas, sugar canola oil(not my favorite choice) and eggs. Oh and I think it has almonds sprinkled on top. I know I could make a healthier version at home, but once in a while a slice of that guarantees that she won’t eat what the other kids brought is a good thing to me.
What I find so very disappointing about TraderJoes is that most of their products are labeled as being produced in a facility that processes peanuts & tree nuts. Can’t shop there for anything but produce & I can usually find organic produce cheaper elsewhere. Given the high incidence of nut allergies this is discouraging.
Organic frozen fruit and veggies are much cheaper at TJs. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, corn and peas are all staples here.
I have done a lot of comparison shopping and have not been able to beat the deals I find at Trader Joe’s. I usually go in about once a week and pick up bananas, tomatoes, bagged baby lettuce, avocados, pico de gallo, gluten free bread(Udi’s), olive oil, and tortilla chips with flax seeds.
Their raw almond butter is the cheapest anywhere. I realize it’s not organic, but the price is too good to pass up.
Most (not all) of TJ’s canned items are BPA free. I rarely use canned items but I always like to have TJs canned coconut milk and organic tomatoes on hand. Both BPA free.
I love Ak Mak crackers! They are a favorite of mine. I also like the way TJs treats their employees. My son works there and part time employees get insurance, 401k, vacation days and more.
I think Lara Bars are cheapest at Target – they often have boxes of 5 on sale for $5. Their regular price for the box is still less than $6.
Great idea!
You missed Ezekiel 4:9 bread. Foodbabe approved.
Spices! They don’t have a large selection of them but they are organic and cheap. We go through a lot of cumin and basil at my house.
I buy my olive oil there. Is it not the best place to get it?
Hi Susan. This might help: http://www.truthinoliveoil.com/2013/08/trader-joes-extravirgins-and-floozies. ~Amy
I adore the handmade flour tortillas!!!
Certainly not the healthy choice…But their Green Chile and Cheese Tamales!! Soooo good. I loved when they had Masala Tandoori Naan. My store no longer carries it :( So good with melted Muenster.
In addition to their coconut oil and organic coffee, I love to buy their organic olive oil, organic dark chocolate (yum, esp. spread with my homemade cashew butter), organic fruit (apples, pears, oranges, lemons), conventional eggplant and avocado, organic chicken tenders, organic Thompson raisins, organic steel cut oats, and their frozen wild caught sole. There’s lots to buy at TJ that are less expensive than elsewhere if you know what to buy! I alternate between TJ and Whole Foods (WF is much better for organic nuts, organic leafy greens and fresh ginger).
I bought the sesame seed honey cashews two days ago and I put them in a container and today when I opened them they had a funky smell to them, have they gone bad already?
Hello Selena. I’ve bought those and they had a pretty long shelf life. But, when in doubt, return them. ~Amy
Their specialty cheeses are amazing, although they don’t have a USDA organic certification many of them are made by european producers and the prices are extremely reasonable. Halloumi for example is $4.99 but $12.00 at Whole Foods.
I have been following this blog for 2 years. At first I did not think I could buy much at TJ’s ( a favorite of mine since it first arrived in my hometown back in the 90’s).
The product choices have improved over the last 2 years and now I find I can buy most of my groceries there. While my sons still wish we bought the fig and blueberry cereal bars, I do bend and buy a GMO free WW version at Costco that they love and I can be okay with…
Here is what I regularly purchase:
Bagged organic spinach and mixed baby greens, Organic carrots (both colored and plain orange), bananas, organic loose fruit and veggies, organic baby broccoli, organic zucchini, Organic sweet potatoes, Applegate hotdogs, nitrate free applewood smoked bacon, nitrate free turkey and ham, Whole milk, eggs, whole milk yogurt (the organic version is too runny for my taste so for this i buy regular whole milk yogurt)Almond and peanut butter, jellies sweetened with fruit juice, coffee, one type of barbara’s cereal , Organic pasta sauce with mushrooms, organic and regular pastas and rice, easy cook farrow and barley, olive oil, organic catsup, a types of their mustards, canned organic beans for ease when I forget to take beans out of the freezer, nuts (cashew pieces for homemade Lara bars), dried mango and raisins, Frozen veggies and fruit (both organic and not), Olive oil potato ships, organic tortilla chips (no salt), salsa verde for my son who loves it, whole wheat sandwich bread sweetended with honey, WW pits, Ww pretzels, ezek cinnamon raisin bread, chocolate, beer and wine oh and dark rum…
FYI:
LaraBars can contain an enormous amount of sugars…I always check the sugar grams on the back– if it’s more than around 9g, I leave it.
Don’t know much about TJ’s honey, but most honeys have been proven to have the pollen (the beneficial and traceable part!) removed because it is being imported illegally and under the radar from places like China. It’s been proven that the pollen has been removed from MANY major brands- Archer Farms (Target), and several of your typical grocery store brands. Basically, unless it says “raw” and unheated, you do not want to trust it. There is no reason to remove pollen other than making honey untraceable as to source. Local *is* best but raw is not bad. Vitacost and some organic options are raw…go for that instead. Don’t trust a squeezable bear container, cute as they are.
At TJ’s I always have to buy the coconut chips! Oh, so good. :)
I forgot! I usually also buy a frozen bag of French green beans ($1.99!)…love.
If you have a Costco – they also have organic hummus!
What do you feel about this article? http://gmo-awareness.com/2013/02/02/is-trader-joes-organic-gmo-free/
And what do you feel about the fact that TJ’s won’t disclose the source of their organic products? I have a hard time supporting a company that isn’t forthcoming about the products they want us to buy. :(
Hi Jolene. We are familiar with the debate going on. Of course, we prefer transparency in all things but for now still really enjoy Trader Joe’s. ~Amy
For the past year, Costco has had Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil – http://www2.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11906996&whse=BD_823&topnav=bdoff
78 oz for 27.00 and sometimes they have coupons for 5.00 off. We use coconut oil a LOT, so I’m happy it is there.
I love Trader Joe’s cheeses, so I usually buy many of them. Especially if I’m hungry when I get there *smile*
What a pretentious article…
Curious as to why you say this?
Dried fruit. Just make sure it’s non-sorbate. They have both with this preservative and without for many if their dried fruits… And at the same price. Why anyone would buy the preservative one I do not know.
1. Ezekiel Bread – incredibly inexpensive compared to other places
2. Rice Milk (Trader Joe’s Brand – this has oil, but it’s organic) and Soy Milk (Westsoy) – clean and inexpensive
3. I find nuts/seeds cheaper at my local Joe Caputo & Sons, so I skip them here
4. Organic frozen fruits and veggies – again, can’t beat the price
Mushrooms aren’t usually available at farmers markets here so I always get my criminis at TJ’s where they are well under $2 vs. $3-$4 elsewhere. Also the Bran Flakes have 6 ingredients but are still pretty good for $1.99!
I am absolutely in love with TJ’s: their wine, cheese, bread, dark chocolate granola cereal, dark chocolate, ice cream, and yogurt. Usually these items are simple, and full of a few good ingredients. In addition to these foods which everyone else also mentioned, I get all of my Smoked Salmon (Lox) from Trader Joe’s. It is the only one I can find in a local grocery store that does not have preservatives, coloring, or smoke flavor added. And it’s absolutely delicious.
Btw I love what you do, and I have a related website: simplyearthycrunchy.com that also has food tips, recipes, craft ideas, and a few other things. Check it out :)
Hi Lisa: have you done any research on Charles shaw wine? I had heard this before and found an article on why Charles shaw wine is so cheap…might be worth researching on your end before putting more of it your body…there is really no way that wine could be that cheap without some nasty things going on…three buck chuck and those neon red maraschino cherries have a lot in common in their processing…
http://www.snopes.com/business/market/shawwine.asp
Hi Dorothy. Lisa has a note by the wine above that since writing this post she has switched to their organic wines. ~Amy
My staples are medjool dates, chia seeds, almond milk, natural peanut and almond butter, milk (good prices!), freeze dried banana chips, and I like the Asian peanut vinaigrette salad dressing!
I was just working on a list like this last week with a friend. It’s great to share those great healthy store bought products.
Thanks for all your inspiration :)
I don’t shop at Tj’s often but when I do I usually stock my cart with:
Organic produce
Organic Yogurts
Nitrate/Nitrite Free Bacon
Gluten-Free Corn Pasta
Organic Whole Wheat Pasta
Organic Cheese Sticks
Nitrate/Nitrite free Ham
Some cereals (Puffins mainly)
Some organic grocery items: mayo, applesauce, ketchup
BTW – Costco now has some of the organic items you have listed above – Hummus, Coconut Oil, Honey (also raw honey). They also have some organic dried fruits (nothing added), organic maple syrup, and Organic Corn Tortilla Chips. They also have a few organic produce options. Just FYI.
I love Earth Fare, too, but they can be very expensive for organic items compared with Trader Joe’s and other places like Costco or HT. Healthy Home Market is a nice alternative sometimes to EF, especially if you don’t live in Ballantyne or Southpark.
You do realize that 3-buck chuck has a lot of additives that are not derived from the actual process of producing REAL red wine?
Hi Adam. Lisa has a note up there that she has switched to their organic wines since first writing this post. ;)
not gonna lie, I actually like that you drink “3 buck chuck” because we are all human and not perfect…even in our food selections!! love all of your recipes and info—keep the great posts coming!!
Organic fruit/veggies/ and frozen fruit and veggies.
Grass fed organic chop meat, grass fed cheddar, grass fed butter
Coconut oil, 100% whole wheat- 1 ingredient and i think its organic, organic whole wheat pitas, occasional eZikiel bread if i amd short on homemade,
There organic plain whole milk yogurt isnt grass fed so i buy else where.
I also buy their organic free range chicken because best i can get. Wish pastured chicken was more available.
Organic nut/cranberry mix.
Occasional wild caught frozen salmon.
Olive oil is a steel at 1L 5.99—- forgot last time i ran out!! So next time.
I love that I can get whole organic carrots for less than a dollar!
I always stock up on the bags of organic oats because the price can’t be beat. Whole wheat pasta, organic string cheese for snacks or lunches, pre-cut butternut squash and occasionally low sodium vegetable or chicken broth.
The horseradish hummus!
Quinoa brown rice pasta (it’s the closest in texture to white pasta that I’ve found)
Trader Joe’s is only touted as a health food store by people who like to assume. They offer a variety of products for a variety of people, and never try to make someone’s choices for them. People who want to be healthy should make smart choices wherever they shop. I know I can come out of whole foods with a bag of smart choices or really unhealthy ones…
I was so disappointed when I went to my local TJs for the whole grain pretzel sticks. I couldn’t find them, so I asked an associate to look them up…they are discontinued :( At least at my store. Pretzels are one of the things my kids miss the most since going “real” with food. Anyone else have any suggestions on where I can find whole grain pretzels?
Hi there. Look for Unique (brand) sprouted whole grain splits. They are good. If no stores in your area carries them, I know you can order them through Vitacost. :)
I get coconut oil, hummus, nuts, wine, and occasionally frozen entrees for quick lunches. I am pretty picky about those, so it depends on what is available and what the ingredient list looks like. I like that they don’t add preservatives to most of their frozen stuff. I will try the pita next time I go. Thanks.
thank you for the good ideas plus pictures of them! I have found the Trader Joe’s canned coconut milk is always .99 and it does not contain guar gum or other additives like many other brands! plus the price is about half of any other stores! I also get nitrate-free bacon and lunchmeat there (for a treat) ;-)
oh plus they have great dark chocolate!
Great deals at a high cost for those who actually do the work. Trader joes, along with other supermarket chains can sell items at lower prices due to exploitation of workers. Their coconut out May me “organic” but it’s not fair trade. That’s what it should really be about. It’s a sad messed up system.
have you found any info on the nutritional quality of these products? I don’t know what to look for exactly, but, it seems like some of the items at TJ’s just simply cannot be OK. The honey for example, I do not understand how they can sell REAL honey for those prices (unless it really does come down to exploitation). I’d suggest for info, reading about the honey black market. A lot of it is mixed with corn syrup, and the pollen is filtered out which is the only way to tell true honey and its origin. Its worth a further read if you haven’t already looked it up. I love your blog, thanks for all the great resources and info!
So you spend tons of dough on organic cheese and yogurt and hummus but then you eat non-organic wheat? Once I found out that they basically spray Roundup on all the wheat crops in the US to make it mature at the same time before they harvest it, and that most of it is GMO, I switched to organic wheat only and it has made a big difference in the stomach trouble I had been having. I try to only eat it occasionally anyway, so it isn’t too much more expensive than before.
Also, your whole wheat pretzels with corn syrup–most corn in the US is GMO unless otherwise specified. Just letting you know. We all have our different requirements. I just started trying to eat primarily “real food” last month, and now I swear I can taste the chemicals in the other stuff when I do try to eat it! I don’t think I’m ever going back!
Glyphosate/roundup is a problem- but few farmers use it regularly.
However, if a company primarily uses one source for wheat and that producer uses it often, then that company will have more residue in their products.
FYI- Bill Gates is the largest shareholder in Monsanto…. He is also pro-sterilization and population control, among other things.
This product is used on grains besdides wheat- therefore the buildup.
There is absolutely NO GMO wheat. There is GMO corn & rice.
That being said, I still seek organic wheat for my kids/husband- they do fine with wheat, while I can only tolerate ancient forms/spelt.
Most wheat before the 50″s was spelt variety.
Thanks for this list, Lisa! It’s hard not to get sidetracked and over do it at TJ’s but now I’ll follow your lead!! Love your blog and am so thankful for such a helpful resource!!!
I love TJs, but I once heard a story, I think it was on NPR, but I could be wrong, about their $3 wine. Ugh. Never again will I buy that. They basically do not sort the grapes very well and all kind of
stuff goes into that wine. Yucky. I do love their organic OJ, and the fact that they sell reasonably priced
Organic popcorn kernels!
I know this post is kind of old now, but can you freeze blocks of cheese?
Hi Jessie. I do freeze some cheese. This article will help: http://www.thekitchn.com/can-you-should-you-do-you-free-117893. :)
Thanks Amy!
I like to buy Trader Joe’s Grade A Maple Syrup, their Crowd Pleaser Cheese assortment as well as their Mozzarella cheese slices. I will occasionally buy their organic eggs, although I like to buy them from our local farm, and also Trader Joe’s whole milk
Trying to keep in USA, Trader Joe’s Maple Syrup comes from Canada. By the way, all syrup is now considered Grade A. The label should say what level of color the syrup is, light, medium, dark or very dark amber. Buy from your local producer.
That’s because a lot of maple syrup comes from Canada; there’s probably not a big enough supply in the U.S.
When you say the TJ organic cashews tasted funny, how did they taste? I just found your post googling about them because our new bag tastes a bit like bleach and I was wondering if there had been a recall for some kind of problem. Normally they have been delicious, but these ones taste like they fell in a pool.
Hi there. I’ve had the same experience with nuts from Trader Joes though I wouldn’t describe them as tasting chlorinated. ;)
I’ve tasted that weird taste before too, even in Planter’s nuts – it’s a moldy taste.
I have a hard time with TJ’s because they do not always tell you where there food is sourced from. and truthfully: i put buying local over buying organic. when they coincide great! too many things come from out of the country, when the farmers in my own town (and region) do such an amazing job – and i rather pay my neighbors!
I noticed you said you have trouble keeping straight what canning lids you have used & which you have not. If you just throw away the lid when you open a jar of a home-canned product, there’s nothing to keep track of. Why would you keep a lid you’ve already used anyway? Toss the ones you take off the canned jars, keep the unused lids in the box til you’re ready to can again, & there will be no problem. The bands can be reused many times until they eventually rust or get warped, of course.
I reuse used lids for fridge or dry-goods storage. The white plastic lids are nice but they are space hogs in my small, inefficient rental kitchen. If the lid isn’t already written on (I label my jars for my own purposes by writing on the lid – almost all my jars are in boxes slid under the bed, couch, chair due to small apartment so the top view is most efficient for me) I use the Sharpie I keep in my silverware drawer to put a big X on the lid when I open the jar. Now that we officially don’t need to heat the lids anymore I open up the boxes as soon as I bring them home, wash them and dry them thoroughly, and store them in a zip-top bag (reused, natch!) so I can deal them out as needed like cards off a deck. I have 2 baggies, one of new lids and one of used.
Lids (and rings) are recyclable – don’t throw them in the trash!
I have been using Tattler reusable lids for several years. At first I would have 1 or2 that didn’t seal, but after a phone call to the company she was able to give me some tips. Now I have no trouble and love it that I don’t have to buy seals all canning season
Hi there. I feel like I saw a post on FB similar to this one, but with foods from Target. I’ve searched a lot for it with no luck. Can you tell me the link? Thanks!
What a great post! I love to see we are very like minded. You’ve captured may of our TJ’s staples. I have not done the cheeses mentioned but I do the raw cheese and love it. I will have to try the pre-sliced. We also do greek yogurt instead of plain. :-) I certainly enjoy the organic wine selections!
The Fetzer wine rep. tells me all Fetzer wines are made with organically grown grapes. They are not “certified organic” due to cost. They are very inexpensive in comparison to others, so give it a try.
I was looking for a barbecue sauce without artificial colors and one they have a TJ’s is marked all natural but has caramel color listed as an ingredient. How is caramel color all natural? Does anyone know?
TJ’s Organic popcorn kernels are much cheaper than anywhere else I’ve found! Also bags of organic potatoes are a steal at TJ’s.
I love trader joes harvest grains blend! perfect alternative to plain rice as a base for some of my dinners :)
I love the mango! Plain dried mango!
Did you know that many of the products at Trader Joe’s are actually top quality brands sold under the TJ label. Check out their quiche. A few years back one of the employees told me that these are actually the Nancy brand. No wonder they taste so good, and so familiar. Great savings there!
It’s hard to find flour tortillas without a lot of junk in them–except at TJs! Both the regular and whole wheat types are great, so I stock up on them whenever I make the trip there. They store well in the freezer, and are perfect for a quick meal of chicken quesadillas or as a wrap for school lunches.
My Trader Joe’s has the best prices for organic produce! There is a Whole Foods and Mariano’s right down the street and those places have prices that are 2 – 3 times more for organic anything.
I always buy their Fruit Spread. It’s organic, sweetened with fruit juice instead of sugar and only 4 ingredients.
I buy the no salt added marinara sauce and no salt added canned tomatoes for quick sauces to put over my zucchini noodles. Bananas are a good price too depending on sales at other stores. I also like the low sodium vegetable juice and chicken stock.
Best prices for some quality stuff! Organic broccoli slaw, organic apples. Eggs, plain yogurt. Almond butter. Mediteranean hummus, organic dark chocolate, and yes the organic coffee!
Trader joes discontinued the organic hummus, which was my favorite for years. They also haven’t carried any pita bread all year. Have you had the same issue and if so what substitutes have you found at TJ’s or elsewhere? I especially like the mini pitas for the kids.
Hi there. Here is a great alternative: http://www.foodforlife.com/product/pocket-breads/ezekiel-49-whole-grain-pocket-bread.
As a busy working mom, I buy their Mire Poix. and organic vegetarian stock. Great way to throw together an easy and healthy lentil soup for dinner,
Frozen mango and pineapple for smoothies (by far best price!), natural peanut butter (same price as costcos, but much better flavor and crunchiness ratio); nuts (although same price per pound at Costco); sweet potato chips :)
I love reading about what other people buy at TJ’s. I’ve been a devoted fan for over 15 years. Unfortunately, a lot of bloggers give misinformation about Trader Joe’s as well. “Trader Joe’s is touted as a health food store” is a classic example. Tjs never refers to themselves as a health food store, and those who shop there on a regular basis understand the difference.
Medjool dates & nuts and seeds. ❤️
They have the very best whole milk ricotta cheese and at a better price. Also the simply sour cream has no stabilizers and the shredded mozerella is fantastic. Also buy their cereal and produce
Pleased to find your site..
We (an older, retired couple) enjoy shopping at TJ’s but are sometimes overwhelmed with the variety of items we don’t know a lot about…(we don’t always go there with a purchase plan)
I believe that your site can give us insight as to what to look for…
Thank you… :O)
Unable to find out of trader joes uses bromated flour in their products
We love their organic extra firm tofu!
I like their organic cream cheese and goat cheese. I also like their frozen organic veggies like peas and corn (great prices!), and some of their organic produce like zucchini, cucumbers and peppers.
I love their frozen riced cauliflower, the nuts, the small packs of cashews or mixed nuts with dark chocolate (my only indulgence) for in the go, and the oil-packed tuna…among other things. Do love TJ’s, but I agree with you, I’m a dietitian and even I have to not get sucked into “preservative free=healthy” in the moment! I love your blog, BTW!
If you are looking for a great winery… Benzinger wines is better than organic…its biodynamic! I know my Costco carries their merlot and Cabernet.
Since the closest one to me is three hours away & it just opened, I’ve only been one time, but what I got was great! Grilled cauliflower from the frozen section, roasted brussel sprouts, and pork belly.
TJ’s version of Lara Bars: apple strawberry; apple mango; apple coconut; apple banana. Just those two ingredients in each bar.
Trader Joe’s has the ONLY corn oil I will buy because it is GMO Free. Their Olive Oil won a national taste test and we do love it even though that we can’t verify that it’s GMO Free.
Trader Joe’s products with their own label are all gmo free (according to them).
You have got to try their 99 cents corn tortillas. They are delicious and only have healthy 3 ingredients.
TJ’s almond butter is awesome as is the Hatch Valley Salsa
Their goat cheese has the best price anywhere.
You can put your nuts in the freezer and they will last longer.
I buy their organic peanut butter and Ezeikel 4:9 Whole Gtain Sprouted bread. Do you think that this bread is a “real food”? I know it has more than 5 ingredients, but they are all organic grains. Curious as to your opinion on this.
Hi. Just be sure the peanut butter has only peanuts and maybe salt in the ingredient list and, yes, Ezekial Bread is a great choice!
Hi! I’m wondering what you guys think of Food For Life’s Ezekiel 4:9 pocket bread? Not sure about all of the different flours. Thanks!
Ezekial bread is a good choice. :)
I tried finding a good bread at TJ’s but the closest thing to healthy contained either soy or canola oil. But I am going to indulge myself in their whipped topping. It is the most nutritional on the market outside of making your own nut toppings.
I love that TJs has pretty much a no questions asked return policy. We’ve gotten some things that weren’t quite up to snuff, replaced, no problem. We’ve gotten some things that we just didn’t like– money back. We’ve inquired about new things– they’d open one up to try, right then!
I love the frozen artichoke hearts. There’s nothing better than not having to whittle down 10 artichokes to make dinner. They go for $3.69 here which is fantastic for 12oz. We also like the washed bagged salad selection. Not the pre-mixed ones with dressing and all, just the greens like arugula and baby spinach. They’re very convenient. I’d love to just grow some myself but I have a huge walnut tree that takes all my sun.
Plantains!! I always stock up on plantains at TJ’s.
I love the crociferous crunch salad there! I make my own dressing of ACV, olive oil, and fresh squeezed orange juice, along with cranberries to make the most perfect salad!
I always buy canned coconut milk there because it doesn’t have a ton of additives. Peanut butter: the one with peanuts and salt and nothing else. Frozen fruits and veggies are cheaper here than elsewhere that I shop. Ancient grain blend for baking and on my oatmeal. Their dried fruit is the only brand I can find without added sugar and preservatives- mangoes and apples are my favorite!
Kim. I love their dried fruit as well. Target, Harris teeter and publix all sell made in nature brand and they are all straight up fruit. No preservatives or added sugar! I love their dried cranberries
I don’t think I’ve found that brand yet! I’ll have to look – thanks!
Could you please do an updated “What I Buy at Trader Joe’s” post? It’s so helpful, and there are a lot of new items at TJs since 2012. Thanks!
I lovvvvve the frozen grilled asparagus (nothing weird added) and the diced peppers (frozen) are inexpensive and can liven up a morning breakfast in a hurry
I buy mini avocados, delicata squash, gouda, nitrate free turkey bacon, raw almonds, raw cashews orangic coconut milk, coconut aminos, sunflower oil, haberno hot sauce, smoked salmon bacon, raw organic honey, bourbon vanilla, vegan marshmallow, organic porcorn kernels, coffee, tea.
Love Trader joe ‘s organic crunchy no salt peanut butter, Tj’s organic tomato sauce.
I love TJs almond butter. The taste and price can’t be beat!! We buy 3 jars at a time
Trader Joe’s Organic Grower’s Reserve Merlot is my fave and really quite good for a cheap wine!