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And on the seventh day, God invented Trader Joe's so she'd have a place to shop before meal prepping that had plenty of packaged foods with easy-to-count macros. That's how it goes, right? Eh, close enough. All jokes aside, Trader Joe's is a heavenly grocery spot for keto dieters and, well, anyone looking to eat healthy, registered dietitians agree.
Grocery shopping when you're following the keto eating plan gets a little tricky, as packaged foods are often filled with ingredients that are generally considered off-limits on the ketogenic diet, like foods high in carbs and sugary ones. However, at Trader Joe's, there are some packaged foods you can still grab to indulge your TJ's habit while staying keto-friendly (meaning high in fat, low in carbs, and moderate in protein).
Here are 20 smart and keto-friendly foods and snack items to grab off the shelves next time you do a Trader Joe's run, and they're all registered dietitians' favorites, too. You'll love them whether you follow the keto diet or not—they fit into any healthy eating plan.
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TJs serves up all kinds of nut butter—almond, peanut, mixed—that are 100 percent nuts with no added sugar. “Nut butters are naturally low in saturated fat and carbs and a rich source of heart-healthy fats, vitamin E, manganese, and magnesium,” says Edwina Clark, R.D., head of nutrition and wellness atYummly. Dip in celery sticks for a👌🏾 snack.
Per 2 tablespoons: 190 cal, 17 g fat (1.5 g sat), 7 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 0 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 7 g protein.
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Trader Joe's Trader Giotto's Oven-Baked Cheese Bites
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Trader Joe's Trader Giotto's Oven-Baked Cheese Bites
“Not only do these make a tasty snack, but they're a fun addition to a salad or entrée,” says Jessica Beacom, R.D., co-founder ofThe Real Food Dietitians.
Per half-package: 170cal, 12g fat (8 g sat), <1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 310mg sodium, 0g fiber, 15 g protein.
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Avocado's Number Guacamole to Go
“Buying pre-made guacamole can be dicey because if you can’t finish it all in one meal, the leftovers are pretty unappealing," says Diana Rodgers, R.D., founder of Sustainable Dish. "Trader Joe’s single-serve guacamole tastes great and the portions are perfect."
Per 2 tablespoons: 60 cal, 5 g fat (1 g sat), 3 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 90 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 1 g protein.
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Mozzarella Rolloni
These roll-ups made with meat and cheese (music to a keto dieter's ears) pack tons of protein and fat, so you'll stay satiated all day. A serving is also super low in net carbs (the number of carbs after you subtract the fiber, which is usually how you calculate this macro on keto).
Per five pieces: 270 cal, 20 g fat (5 g sat), 2 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 940 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 21 g protein.
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Teeny Tiny Avocados
“I love these because you can eat the whole avocado without having to worry about half of it turning brown in the fridge," says Beacom. "They also seem to ripen faster than large avocados."
Per avocado: 170 cal, 15 g fat (1.7 g sat), 10 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 0 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 0 g protein.
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“Crispy, salty, and a great source of vitamin C and essential iodine, these snacks hit the spot,” says Rodgers.
Per half package: 30 cal, 0 g fat (0 g sat), 1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 50 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.
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“Just a Handful of Olives" Pitted Manzanilla Olives
“These are great for travel or snacking on the go because you don’t have to refrigerate them,” says Beacom.
Per 5 olives (half a pack): 25 cal, 2.5 g fat (0 g sat), <1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 220 mg sodium, <1 g fiber, 0 g protein.
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Tzatziki Creamy Garlic Cucumber Dip
Pre-packaged dips and sauces can be tough on keto, as many are full of sugar. This Greek-inspired dip tastes decadent as ever but is low in calories and sugar. Go ahead, top a protein- and fat-packed meal with it and enjoy.
Per 2 tablespoons: 30 cal, 2 g fat (1 g sat), 2 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 65 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 1 g protein.
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“This is my go-to salad topper,"says Rodgers. "Add some pre-washed spinach, roasted red peppers, and a little lemon juice for an easy lunch."
Per 2 oz drained: 45 cal, 0.5 g fat (0 g sat), 1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 330 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 8 g protein.
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“I like to put coconut flakes in smoothies for texture,” says Kristen Mancinelli, R.D.
Per 1/4 cup serving: 200 cal, 19 g fat (17 g sat), 7 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 10 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 2 g protein.
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New Zealand Organic Sliced Cheddar Cheese
“I love the variety of cheeses offered at Trader Joe's," says Lara Clevenger, R.D. "They’re great for those on a keto diet with food sensitivities."
Per 1-oz serving: 120 cal, 10 g fat (7 g sat), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 190 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 7 g protein.
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Riced Cauliflower
Skip the mess and save time with this carb alternative. “Trader Joe's offers pre-riced broccoli and cauliflower at a cheap price, which makes it a no-brainer for me,” Clevenger says.
Per 1/3 package: 30 cal, 0 g fat (0 g sat), 5 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 95 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein.
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“Since they're in water, you can control the type of oil and how much you use,” says Beacom. Toss onto a big salad with Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, chopped cucumbers, and feta cheese for lunch.
Per drained can: 130 cal, 7 g fat (1.5 g sat), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 200 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 17 g protein.
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“Nuts are low in carbohydrates and packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, and vitamin E,” says Clark. Choose an unsalted variety for an even healthier snack. “Just don’t overdo it on the cashews though, as they have a higher carb content then other nuts,” Mancinelli advises.
Per 1/4 cup: 180 cal, 17 g fat (2.5 g sat), 5 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 60 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein.
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“Coconut oil, like any oil, is 100 percent fat with no carbohydrates or protein; over 60 percent is in the form of medium-chain triglycerides, which are highly ketogenic [meaning they increase ketone production],” says Mancinelli.
Per 1 tablespoon: 120 cal, 14 g fat (12 g sat), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 0 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein.
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Trader Jacque's Double Créme Brie With Truffles
“There’s no chance you’ll be craving a dessert if you finish off your meal with a small wedge of this luxurious cheese," says Rodgers. "Trust me."
Per 1 oz: 110 cal, 11 g fat (7 g sat), <1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 160 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 4 g protein.
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Pastrami Style Smoked Atlantic Salmon
Whether it’s fresh, frozen, or canned, salmon is packed with protein, omega-3 fats (especially the wild version), B-vitamins, phosphorous, and selenium, says Clark.
This pastrami-style smoked salmon is a keto dieter's dream thanks to its nonexistent carb count and impressive fat and protein numbers.
Per three slices: 120 cal, 8 g fat (2 g sat), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 600 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 12 g protein.
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Green Vegetable Foursome
It's a common misconception that you should avoid vegetables on keto due to their carb count. But non-starchy vegetables (which are high in fiber and nutrients and still low calorie) you can eat in large amounts.
This green vegetable foursome from TJ's features broccoli florets, shelled peas, French green beans, and zucchini, which are all great veggie choices on keto (and any other diet!).
Per 2/3 cup: 30 cal, 1.5 g fat (0.5 g sat), 3 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 90 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 1 g protein.
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Chile Lime Chicken Burgers
These burgers have tons of flavor but are low-calorie and low in carbs. But 19 grams of protein? That'll keep you full for hours. Keto diet fans, top your burger with avocado and/or cheese for that extra punch of fat.
Per burger: 150 cal, 60 g fat (2 g sat), 3 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 310 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 19 g protein.
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Zucchini Spirals
On keto, traditional pasta is something you kinda need to eat in moderation and in very small portions; typical noodles are carb-heavy, as you probably know. But these zucchini spirals let you get that spoon-twirling satisfaction.
Top the spirals with a meat of your choice, and some olive oil and cheese for that fat content that will help get you to or keep you in ketosis.
In 1/4 of a package: 15 cal, 0 g fat (0 g sat), 3 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 110 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein.