My must-have TJ’s items

Trader Joe’s is a chain of grocery stores throughout the United States known for their lack of name brand items, emphasizing self branded products. They offer various health foods at affordable prices and are also highly accredited for their friendly atmosphere and staff.

It is important to take into account that not all products branded as ‘healthy’ are necessarily beneficial for the body. Therefore, always make an effort to read ingredient and nutrition labels when shopping. Below are some of my favorite Trader Joe’s staples that I typically have on hand at home.

Coconut Aminos

Ingredients: Organic Coconut Sap, Water, Sea Salt.

Coconut aminos are often used in place of soy sauce. They are the product of fermented coconut palm sap, consequently allergy friendly without containing wheat, gluten or soy. Coconut aminos contain naturally occurring amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Coconut products are also known to contain antioxidants, helping to reduce free radicals in the body.

Nutritional Yeast

Ingredients: Inactive Nutritional Yeast (Dried Yeast, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).

Nutritional yeast is free of gluten, soy and sugar, while containing various beneficial nutrients. Nutritional yeast is a source of vitamins B1, B2 and B6, as well as potassium and zinc. Additionally containing protein and antioxidants, nutritional yeast is a great addition to sauces or seasonings. See TWC’s crispy chickpea caesar recipe containing nutritional yeast.

Raw Unfiltered Honey

Ingredients: Organic honey.

Raw unfiltered honey contains anti-bacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Be sure to buy raw honey and avoid alternate highly processed products. See TWC’s chia seed pudding recipe for a great way to incorporate honey to your diet.

Green Goddess Salad Dressing

Ingredients: Water, Avocado, Apple Cider Vinegar, Green Onions, Lemon Juice, Chives, Parsley, Olive Oil Blend (Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil), Yellow Onion, Basil, Garlic, Sea Salt, Black Pepper.

Trader Joe’s green goddess dressing is the next best thing to homemade dressing containing simple, whole ingredients.

10 Minute Farro

Ingredients: Pre-cooked Farro.

Trader Joe’s 10 minute farro is a delicious, nutrient packed ancient grain. Farro is a great source of protein, fiber, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B3. See TWC’s chopped farro salad recipe or oven roasted veggie bowl recipe.

Cauliflower Gnocchi

Ingredients: Cauliflower, Cassava Flour, Potato Starch, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt.

Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi contains simple ingredients and is simple to make. Cassava flour is high in fiber, potassium and antioxidants. I love to pair TWC’s hemp seed pesto recipe with Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi.

Organic Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli Pasta

Ingredients: Organic Brown Rice, Organic Quinoa Flour, Water.

This pasta from Trader Joe’s is minimally processed and contains no unnecessary additives.

Apple Chip Duo

Ingredients: Red Apples, Green Apples.

Trader Joe’s apple chip duo is the perfect crunchy and satisfying snack. This product is only dried apples, without added sugars or excess ingredients.

Just Mango Slices

Ingredients: Dried Mango.

Just mango slices from Trader Joe’s are really just dried mango with no unnecessary additives.

Apple + Strawberry Fruit Bars

Ingredients: Apples, Strawberries.
Also have Apple + Coconut, Apple + Mango and Apple + Banana.

Trader Joe’s fruit bars containing only dried fruit with no additives are the perfect on the go snack.

Cruciferous Crunch Collection

Ingredients: Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage.

Trader Joe’s cruciferous crunch are the perfect crunchy greens to add to any salad or grain bowl.

Organic Dried & Pitted Deglet Noor Dates

Ingredients: Organic Deglet Noor Dates.

Dried dates are a good source of magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium. See TWC’s healthier dessert ideas.

Organic Turkish Dried Figs

Ingredients: Organic Dried Figs.

Dried figs are full of potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium.

Organic Shelled Hemp Seeds

Ingredients: Organic Shelled Hemp Seeds.

Organic hemp seeds contain all 9 essential amino acids, are a great source of magnesium, and have anti-inflammatory properties. See TWC’s hemp seed pesto recipe for a higher protein pesto.

Organic Chia Seed

Ingredients: Organic Chia Seed.

Organic chia seeds are a great source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. See TWC’s chia seed pudding recipe.

Organic Creamy Peanut Butter

Ingredients: Organic Valencia Peanuts.

Trader Joe’s organic creamy peanut butter is made of a single ingredient, organic Valencia peanuts. See TWC’s PB & J smoothie recipe.

& as always, fresh produce and herbs.