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Home » How to Start » Food Shopping

What I buy at Trader Joe's

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. :)

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What I buy regularly at Trader Joe's...

  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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!
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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?

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About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. Brandy says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    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.

    Reply
  2. Holly Flemister says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    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!

    Reply
  3. Joyce says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    Will you build a TJ's inndenton, tx Please!

    Reply
  4. Sue says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    What do you use the coconut oil for?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      June 16, 2014 at 1:15 pm

      Hi Sue. Lisa uses coconut oil in many of her recipes. It is also a good sub for butter in baking. ~Amy

      Reply
  5. Amber says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    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. :)

    Reply
  6. DeAnn says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    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.

    Reply
  7. Caroline says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    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.

    Reply
  8. Lauren says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    I am obsessed with their unsweetened, unsulphered dried mangos! So amazing!

    Reply
  9. Michelle Bickers says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      June 06, 2014 at 12:21 am

      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!

      Reply
  10. Susan says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:23 pm

    Keep cashews and other nuts in the freezer - they last much longer!

    Reply
  11. Ashlyn says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    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!

    Reply
  12. Colleen says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    Organic peanut butter and jelly.

    Reply
  13. Susan says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    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.

    Reply
  14. Tricia says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    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.

    Reply
  15. Angie M says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    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!

    Reply
  16. Tina says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    Plantain chips! Love them!

    Reply
  17. Alissa says

    June 05, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    I buy Trader Joe's organic pasta and organic tomato sauce! The prices are cheaper than any other place around!

    Reply
  18. Debi says

    April 24, 2014 at 11:43 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Debi says

      April 24, 2014 at 11:44 am

      Good thing I re-read that before I hit send! Grind them up separately, not desperately! lol!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        June 05, 2014 at 9:34 pm

        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. :)

  19. Nana Phyllis says

    April 22, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      April 27, 2014 at 12:18 pm

      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

      Reply
  20. Trader Joe's fan says

    April 18, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    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/

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      April 23, 2014 at 12:40 pm

      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

      Reply
  21. Michelle says

    April 06, 2014 at 1:09 am

    The steel cut oatmeal from frozen aisle is amazing!

    Reply
  22. Christine says

    April 05, 2014 at 12:00 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      April 14, 2014 at 9:19 am

      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

      Reply
  23. Jessica says

    March 29, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    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

    Reply
  24. Aubrey says

    March 26, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    Granular humus was supposed to say organic hummus...not sure how that happened hah!

    Reply
  25. Aubrey says

    March 26, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    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!! :)

    Reply
  26. Lauren says

    February 28, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    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!!!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      March 10, 2014 at 11:31 am

      Hi Lauren. It is organic virgin (unrefined) oil. :) ~Amy

      Reply
  27. Kat says

    February 05, 2014 at 12:23 am

    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.

    Reply
  28. Kathy says

    January 20, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    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.

    Reply
  29. Tina Monji says

    January 19, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    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!

    Reply
  30. Alexa says

    January 17, 2014 at 8:34 am

    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

    Reply
  31. Stacey says

    January 16, 2014 at 7:33 pm

    Organic frozen fruit, Organic baby spinach ($1.99!!!!), nuts, Ezekial bread, organic string cheese, organic greek yogurt

    Reply
  32. Shannon says

    January 16, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    I love the flourless sprouted wheat berry bread.

    Reply
  33. Stephanie says

    January 16, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    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.

    Reply
  34. Amanda says

    January 16, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    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 :)

    Reply
  35. Susie says

    January 16, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    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. :(

    Reply
  36. Dawn says

    January 16, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      January 19, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      Hello Dawn. I've always understood "virgin" coconut oils to unrefined. Maybe I need to dig deeper... ~Amy

      Reply
  37. Judy says

    January 16, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    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!)

    Reply
  38. Kim says

    January 16, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    Peanut butter, olive oil, balsamic vinegar.

    Reply
  39. tiffany simpson says

    January 16, 2014 at 11:38 am

    Organic quinoa & brown rice pasta. My family loves it way more than whole wheat pasta.

    Reply
  40. Jen says

    October 20, 2013 at 10:02 am

    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.

    Reply
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