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...
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!). :) - -
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. - -
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. - -
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. - -
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). - -
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. - -
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. - -
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...
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! - -
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. --
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. - -
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?
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!
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....
-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.
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!
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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)!
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 :)
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
We eat them at lunch with Peanut Butter on them ... sometimes I top the pb with thinly sliced apple
Brianasays
Cream cheese and homemade jam or almond butter and banana slices are our favorites for rice cakes. :)
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill)says
Hi Mindy. I eat mine with almond butter. Jill
Katesays
We do PB and J, cream cheese and jelly, PB and honey, just honey, just PB, PB and raisins...
Ashleysays
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.
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.
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!
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?
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.
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?
Jenifersays
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
Kerrysays
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.
Kim Fewellsays
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
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).
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 :(
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.
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.
Shaunna@mamas13minutemile says
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! :)
Jill says
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!
Cari says
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....
Mandi says
-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.
Colleen Grossner says
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!
Jocelyn says
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.
Wendy says
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!!
Samantha says
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.
Amy says
Frozen fruit for smoothies, frozen veggies like peas and corn, and kefir.
Pam @ Ramblings of a Happy Homemaker says
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.
Megan S. says
I love Trader Joe's, but I was wondering what everyone thought of their nut butters (almond, peanut, etc. salted/unsalted)?
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Megan. Our store just started carrying organic unsalted peanut butter which has been great. I've not tried their other ones. Jill
Stacy says
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.
Amy says
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!
Alison says
Coconut milk, organic popcorn, fair trade chocolate bars, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, etc.
Natasha Kay says
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.
Michele says
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)!
Lisa says
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 :)
Sarah says
They have frozen prepared steel cut oats. All the goodness of oatmeal with none of the hassle!
Rachel says
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.
Kristy Kelley says
Oh and we also buy their popcorn or popping and organic jelly sweetened with juice. Sooo many things there we love!
-- Kristy @ Wine Logic
Kristy Kelley says
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
Stephanie says
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.
mister worms says
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.
Coach Jonni says
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.
thuy says
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?
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
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
Jane says
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.
Brooke says
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
Mindy says
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.
Brooke says
We eat them at lunch with Peanut Butter on them ... sometimes I top the pb with thinly sliced apple
Briana says
Cream cheese and homemade jam or almond butter and banana slices are our favorites for rice cakes. :)
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Mindy. I eat mine with almond butter. Jill
Kate says
We do PB and J, cream cheese and jelly, PB and honey, just honey, just PB, PB and raisins...
Ashley says
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!
Mindy says
What is Kefir??
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Mindy. According to Wikipedia, Kefir is a fermented milk drink made with kefir grains. Jill
lazy Budget Chef says
I can't drink milk but I can drink Kefir. Tader Joe's brand is good and at a great price.
Lyza @ Chic Shades of Green says
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.
Naomi says
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!
Jacqueline says
Where are those located in the store? Are they canned?
Amanda says
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!
Kay says
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)
Natasha Kay says
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. :)
Natasha Kay says
http://fabulouslydomestic.com/2012/03/07/baking-soda-vinegar/
Amy says
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?
Jenifer says
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!
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Amanda. Check out this post on coconut oil...https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/02/07/how-to-cook-with-coconut-oil/. Jill
Rachel says
Kerrygold butter. We stock up on it when it's on sale. I've seen it go as low as $2.59
Kate says
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.
maxine lubow says
fresh pizza dough
canned dog food
frozen veggies, chopped peppers
white balsamic vinegar
Natalia says
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.
AmandaLP says
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.
Jacqueline says
Does Costco carry free-range organic chicken?
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
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
Kerry says
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.
Kim Fewell says
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
Jenise says
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).
Jacqueline says
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 :(
Jenise says
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.
Kristin says
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.
Farrahmichelle says
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.