I'm a dietitian who used to work at Trader Joe's. Here are 10 of my favorite things to buy there.

I like to grab a lot of my weeknight-meal essentials and weekday snacks at Trader Joe's.Leah KernI'm a dietitian and former Trader Joe's employee who regularly shops at the store for groceries.I like to get boxed mac and cheese and frozen sweet-potato gnocchi to serve with roasted vegetables.The chain's satisfying sweets, like Joe-Joe's and fruit-flavored soda, improve my eating experience.Before becoming a dietitian and intuitive-eating counselor, I was an employee at Trader Joe's.To this day, I head to the retailer for groceries that keep my meals varied and exciting while following an intuitive-eating framework.With it, I skip restrictive diets and instead listen to my body's natural hunger and fullness cues to help decide what, when, and how much to eat.So, I make sure to keep lots of great options on hand in my pantry, fridge, and freezer. Here are some of my favorite things to get at Trader Joe's.Editor's Note: Product price and availability may vary.Frozen meatballs are essential for an easy weeknight meal.Leah KernFor years, I was a vegetarian because I thought that was the best way to be healthy. However, when I became a dietitian, I realized that there is no reason to restrict myself from eating any one food.These frozen meatballs, for example, have been a staple in some of my meal rotations. I like to combine them with a jar of tomato sauce, spaghetti, a vegetable, and freshly-grated Parmesan for an easy, comforting weeknight meal of mostly pantry and freezer items.This meal also leaves me feeling full and satisfied because it includes the macronutrients: carbohydrates (pasta), protein (meatballs), fat (parm), and fiber (vegetables).These dolmas are perfect for dipping.Leah KernWhen I was working at Trader Joe's, I rang up a customer who was purchasing about 20 cans of these. Though this seemed strange to me at first, I understood the hype when I finally tried them.The dolmas are fairly low-calorie, so I recommend pairing them with a dip or sauce like hummus or tzatziki for a more satisfying snack experience. I also like to add them on top of a Greek salad or use the juice from the package to make a dressing.To make the dressing, I simply combine the dolma juice with some Greek yogurt to thicken the mixture.I frequently eat Trader Joe's boxed mac and cheese.Leah KernEven as a registered dietitian, I frequently eat boxed mac and cheese.I love pairing mac and cheese with steamed or roasted broccoli because the florets soak up the cheese sauce and have a fresh flavor that contrasts with the decadent pasta dish.Adding broccoli also incorporates fiber into the meal, keeping you feeling full and energized for longer.Fruit wraps are a perfect snack.Leah KernSimple carbs, like these fruit wraps, are easily digestible and give you a quick blood-sugar spike for accessible energy. Though simple carbs get a bad rap in the world of dieting, they're your brain's preferred source of fuel.I like to keep these fruit wraps in my bag when I'm out and about to hold me over until I can get a full meal in.You can also add a handful of nuts to this snack to slow the absorption of the sugar into your bloodstream and get more sustained energy levels and fullness.This sweet-potato gnocchi in a sage-butter sauce is delicious.Leah KernThis gnocchi comes in a delicious sage-butter sauce and makes for a simple weeknight meal. My favorite way to optimize this meal is to add some kind of green, such as green beans or roasted broccoli.From a nutritional standpoint, this frozen item covers carbohydrates (gnocchi), fat (sage-butter sauce), and fiber (vegetables).There isn't much protein in this meal, but not every dinner needs to have all the macronutrients. However, adding cut-up chicken sausage is one of my favorite easy ways to incorporate a more robust protein source.This product is seasonal, and Trader Joe's sometimes discontinues products, but I hope to see it on shelves again.Trader Joe's channa masala is a great way to get fiber and protein.Leah KernWhen I'm craving warm, comforting foods, Trader Joe's frozen chana masala is one of my favorite hearty meals.I like to add more carbs to this frozen meal to make it more energy-dense, so I usually eat this saucy curry over rice or with naan.This meal offers lots of fiber and protein (chickpeas), fat (ghee and oil in the sauce), and carbohydrates (naan or rice). Though there are no rules saying that a meal needs carbs, protein, fat, and fiber, the most satisfying dishes usually include a mix of macronutrients.These peach halves taste fresh and satisfying.Leah KernWhen I spotted these peach halves, I was transported back to my fruit-cup-eating days in elementary school. Since then, they've become a staple, especially in the colder months when fresh peaches are harder to come by.I like to cut these up, add them to Greek yogurt with granola, and pour a little bit of the peach juice into the bowl for added sweetness.Diet culture suggests that fresh fruit is more nutritious than its canned counterpart, but not every food you eat has to be a nutritional powerhouse. You're allowed to eat food, such as these peach halves, simply because it's satisfying.I even have a place for Joe-Joe's in my diet.Leah KernI used to try to eat "clean" and resist sweets, but when my mom would buy Joe-Joe's, I'd end up bingeing on them.Now, as an intuitive-eating dietitian, I understand that restriction leads to bingeing. Though it may seem counterintuitive, if you feel out of control around a certain food, you should actually keep it around to normalize it.I have a box of Joe-Joe's in my cabinet that has been sitting there for weeks. I still love them, but I don't feel the urge to eat an entire sleeve in one sitting because I know they are allowed any time I crave them.The chain's roasted-garlic-chicken sausage is truly versatile.Leah KernChicken sausages can be added to so many dishes, from pasta to salads. They're versatile, and Trader Joe's often has them in different flavors, including roasted garlic.I usually like to cut the sausage up, combine the pieces with sautéed peppers and onions, and serve the mixture over pasta. In the summer, I slice the sausage, heat the pieces in a pan, and throw them over my salad for an easy source of protein and savory garlic flavor.You could also eat these on a bun for the ultimate easy comfort food.This strawberry-rhubarb drink is tasty and not too sweet.Leah KernI like having a fruity beverage alongside a savory meal, and I find that this fizzy drink is sweet but not overpowering.Though diet culture suggests avoiding drinks with added sugar, I say that if this kind of beverage increases the satisfaction of your eating experience, go for it.When you don't prioritize your satisfaction, you may experience a feeling of low-grade deprivation, so it's better to enjoy your meal and move on with your day. Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.This story was originally published on March 1, 2022, and most recently updated on July 8, 2025.Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

Rishi Sunak joins Goldman Sachs as senior adviser

Evening Standard

Silicon Valley venture capitalist Shaun Maguire doubles down on Mamdani criticism after outrage over ‘Islamist agenda’ X post: ‘You only embolden me’

about 2 hours ago

Newyork Post

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta pays ‘tens of millions of dollars’ to poach top Apple AI exec — adding to murderers’ row of new hires

about 2 hours ago

Shoppers rave this 8-piece selection of colourful shrubs are ‘best they’ve ever bought’

Mirror

Comments

Similar News

Octopus energy to pay £1.5m in compensation for bill errors – are you eligible?

'I'm a shopping writer and this is the streak-free fake tan I'm stocking up on this Prime Day'

M&M’s and Skittles maker resists RFK Jr’s demand to remove synthetic dyes from candies

M&S boss says two big UK firms hit by unreported cyber-attacks

Octopus Energy to pay &#163;1.5m over prepayment meter billing error

I've worked at Costco for 19 years. Here are 8 of the best things I'm seeing on shelves right now.

I'm an interior designer who works with wealthy, high-profile clients. I rarely see these 7 things in their homes.

Hackers tried to 'destroy' M&S, chair tells MPs

Octopus Energy to pay out £1.5m over thousands of bill errors

M&S chairman admits cyber attack could have destroyed chain in bombshell update

UK energy supplier to pay £1.5m in compensation for billing errors

M&S cyber attackers may have worked with Asia-based DragonForce, MPs hear

M&S boss reveals new details about cyber attack on company

'I'm 24 and I've saved £100,000 - here's how you're wasting your money'

I'm a property expert... Rob Dix on house prices, mortgage rates, buying tips and his best ever investment

John Lewis is back in fashion as it leapfrogs M&S to top the customer service rankings

My husband is an identical triplet. No, I'm not attracted to his brothers, and I only mixed them up once.

I'm from Italy and love visiting this small, breathtaking village that's less than 2 hours from Rome

I'm a former flight attendant. Here are 12 ways passengers ruin their experience on long-haul flights.

I'm a university lecturer concerned that students are using AI to cheat. It's made my workload skyrocket, and I've had to make drastic changes.

Business News

Rishi Sunak joins Goldman Sachs as senior adviser

Trump Media files for 'Crypto Blue Chip ETF' with SEC

EU justice chief laments democratic standards in Hungary

St. Jude Children's Hospital's fundraising arm selects new CEO in midst of expansion

Swiss medicines authority issues first approval for antimalarial drug for treatment of infants

Investors snap up growing share of US homes as traditional buyers struggle to afford one

Mark Zuckerberg’s Threads close to surpassing Elon Musk’s X in daily users, data show

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he’s ‘politically homeless’ after Dems’ anti-capitalism shift

Humanoid robot ‘graduates’ at Chinese high school ceremony as automation tech gains spotlight

Ex-British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rejoins Goldman Sachs as an adviser

Silicon Valley venture capitalist Shaun Maguire doubles down on Mamdani criticism after outrage over ‘Islamist agenda’ X post: ‘You only embolden me’

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta pays ‘tens of millions of dollars’ to poach top Apple AI exec — adding to murderers’ row of new hires

Shoppers rave this 8-piece selection of colourful shrubs are ‘best they’ve ever bought’

'I’m a shopping writer and Amazon’s ice maker is my most useful summer purchase'

London stocks close higher as latest US tariff rates received

Octopus energy to pay £1.5m in compensation for bill errors – are you eligible?

London stocks close higher as latest US tariff rates received

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner jumps ship to run chocolate giant Hershey

Why the economy may never return to pre-tariff levels

‘Naive and arrogant’: Why a wealth tax in the UK would fail, according to experts

Rishi Sunak joins Goldman Sachs as senior adviser

Monzo fined after customers put Buckingham Palace and No 10 as home addresses

EDF investment hailed as ‘vote of confidence in UK’, despite reduced stake

EDF investment hailed as ‘vote of confidence in UK’, despite reduced stake

Tesla’s board of directors urged to ‘act now’ and rein in Elon Musk after vow to form America Party

M&M’s and Skittles maker resists RFK Jr’s demand to remove synthetic dyes from candies

Voices: Readers torn on wealth tax – from ‘the only counterbalance’ to ‘utterly counter-productive’

Resident doctors vote in favour of strike action

Pay-monthly insurance options offer fair value, company bosses tell MPs

Almost 40% of female Scottish survey respondents report inappropriate touching

Monzo fined after customers put Buckingham Palace and No 10 as home addresses

Resident doctors vote in favour of strike action

Public finances on ‘unsustainable’ path due to spending promises, says OBR

Almost 40% of female Scottish survey respondents report inappropriate touching

A look at the countries that received Trump's tariff letters

Pay-monthly insurance options offer fair value, company bosses tell MPs

Almost 40% of female Scottish survey respondents report inappropriate touching

Resident doctors vote in favour of strike action

Fashion label worn by Kate during pregnancy collapses into administration

UK energy supplier to pay £1.5m in compensation for billing errors

Monzo fined £21m after customers use Buckingham Palace as address

Yorkshire households first to face hosepipe ban as hot dry summer bites

Monzo fined over £21m after anti-fraud controls ‘fell far short’

OBR: Vulnerable UK faces 'daunting' threats to stability of public finances after welfare climbdown

Yorkshire households first to face hosepipe ban as hot dry summer bites

M&S cyber attackers may have worked with Asia-based DragonForce, MPs hear

UK finances in ‘vulnerable’ position after reversed spending cuts, says OBR

July 2025 benefits and pension payments dates plus cost of living support

Car finance mis‑selling: could you be owed up to £4,000**? Find out in 60 seconds

Maternity label worn by Kate collapses into administration

Horizon IT scandal final report will be ‘monumental’, says ex-subpostmaster

Octopus Energy pays £1.5 million for prepayment meter billing errors

Shein files to float in Hong Kong but hopes to keep London IPO alive – reports

Begbies Traynor boosted by rise in larger scale company failures

Which are the subpostmaster redress schemes and what criticism have they faced?

Octopus Energy pays £1.5 million for prepayment meter billing errors

Horizon IT scandal final report will be ‘monumental’, says ex-subpostmaster

Octopus Energy to pay £1.5m over prepayment meter billing error