Today, Poosh is here to help you navigate the shopping aisles at Trader Joe’s, the grocery store chain that first opened in 1967 and has approximately 500 stores nationwide. I’ve been a huge fan of Trader Joe’s for years. They are well known for their insanely low prices and unique but excellent food items. I’ve seen tremendous improvements in their selections of organic produce and gluten-free alternatives over the years.
Despite this, I notice that a lot of my peers don’t shop there, and I find that it’s mostly because they don’t know about all of the great finds to be discovered and how affordable it is. There used to be a time when I myself refused to go to Trader Joe’s. This was mainly because they did not carry niche health food items like ghee, coconut yogurt, or nutritional yeast. But over the years, Trader Joe’s has evolved with the times and is becoming more and more current with their offering of healthy, niche food items.
The below list features some of our favorite selections, from coconut oil and ghee to organic, grass-fed beef. Quality, organic food doesn’t always have to come with a high price tag, and that is what we are highlighting—the treasure that is … Trader Joe’s.
Organic Seasonal Mangoes
When I shop for fruit, I always buy organic and try to find whatever fruit is in season. Because Trader Joe’s gets most of its produce from local farmers, you can count on a seasonal selection of fruit all year long.
Organic Berries
Berries are amazing. They are high in fiber and antioxidants and a sweet treat with less sugar than many other fruits. They are great to throw into smoothies, add to oatmeal, or add to my Fruit and Granola Bowl. They also make a tasty afternoon snack for the kids during homework time.
Coconut Oil
I love that Trader Joe’s has such a huge variety of coconut oil. Most of it is organic. They sell larger jars, mini pouches for when you are on the go, cooking spray … the list goes on! All of us here at Poosh love coconut oil. We use it to cook with, to eliminate toxins, and as a moisturizer, and some of us even use it as lube.
Ghee
By now most of you probably know that I love ghee and use it instead of butter most of the time. It is clarified butter, which means that the grass-fed butter was heated so that the milk solids could be removed. It’s a bit nutty in flavor and is used as a delicious butter alternative.
Nutritional Yeast
This just goes to show you that Trader Joe’s is keeping up with the cooking trends by offering consumers nutritional yeast. I’ve written about this ingredient before. It has a zesty flavor and is a delicious alternative to cheese in various recipes, such as sweet potatoes and pesto. Love that Trader Joe’s is keeping up with the trends.
Envy Apples
My favorite apple of all time—so crispy and sweet. Trader Joe’s sells them in bunches and they just fly off the shelves. Apples are so nutritious—chock-full of fiber, good for your heart, and they may even promote gut health. They make a great snack on their own (or with nut butter). They are perfect in school lunches, in fruit bowls, in oatmeal, or on toast. There is no bad way to eat an apple.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is full of collagen and great for gut health.
Coconut Aminos
This savory seasoning sauce is a good substitute for soy sauce. It is gluten-free and jam packed with amino acids, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B. It works well as a marinade for any meat and fish. It is also a great addition to any sauce or dressing, or as a seasoning when roasting veggies.
Organic Avocado
I don’t always buy organic avocados because they have a thick skin and are protected. Trader Joe’s offers both organic and non-organic avocados, and you can buy the entire bag of organic avocados for only $5. Avocados are loaded with healthy fats and make a creamy addition to smoothies and salads.
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are a great source of protein and other vitamins and minerals. However, they can be very pricey at most health food stores. Trader Joe’s offers an entire bag of shelled hemp seeds at the extremely affordable price of $5.99. They can be consumed raw, roasted, on top of salads, or in smoothies, and they are great to add atop roasted veggies for an added crunch.
Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
These gluten-free rolled oats are sold in large bags and ideal for overnight oats or our oatmeal muffins. These are a staple in my pantry, and I often will go through an entire bag in just one week.
Organic Fresh Basil
We love that we can get an entire bunch of organic basil at Trader Joe’s. We use basil in our own pesto and on just about anything, from pasta and homemade pizza to salmon and chicken. You may even find us eating a slice of GF toast with ghee, our pesto, and a sliced avocado for breakfast after a late night filled with one too many tequilas.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is a honey native to New Zealand and has amazing antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to its many healing properties, it makes a great addition to any recipe. The only problem with Manuka Honey: its price point. Most health food stores sell a small 8.75-ounce container of Manuka for upwards of $25, sometimes even $45. The Trader Joe’s Manuka may not be the highest bioactive Manuka on the market, but at only $13, so it’s hard to pass up.
Organic Silver Dollar Pancakes
These breakfast saviors may not be gluten-free, but they definitely save time on a busy morning when rushing to get everyone out of the house. Pop a few in the toaster oven to heat up and voilà, breakfast is served.
Perfect Bars
These gluten-free protein bars come in a ton of flavors and are convenient on the road, as a pre- or post-workout snack, or in a rush. The kids love them too.
3 Seed Sweet Potato and Beet Crackers
One of my favorite gluten-free crackers to add to a cheese plate or veggie platter with hummus.
Gluten-Free Cauliflower Pizza
I love this cauliflower pizza option because it contains no cornstarch. This is a favorite in my house among the kids because it tastes great, and I feel good knowing that the ingredients are clean. Hint: heat it up right after school—it makes a great homework snack.
Tamari Soy Sauce Crackers
I deem these to be the best crackers on earth, hands down. Savory goodness, great with cheese and any dipping sauce, and most importantly, delicious on their own. If I had a dollar for every person that I’ve turned on to these crackers, I’d be a very wealthy girl.
Organic Dehydrated Carrots
These dehydrated carrots are a more recent discovery and turned out to be a hit. They are a nice alternative to potato or tortilla chips and are made with just carrots and sea salt.
Organic Chicken and Organic Grass-Fed Beef
It’s awesome that Trader Joe’s is now offering organic meat and chicken. It’s important to buy organic meat and chicken whenever possible. They have fewer synthetic pesticides involved in their production, which means improved animal health. Animals that eat more grass have higher omega-3 levels than animals fed more grain. Organic meat and chicken also mean the animals have access to the outdoors and are not given antibiotics unless to prevent pain or death.
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