Nutritionists: 9 Foods Nutritionists patronize Trader Joes

Nutritionists: 9 Foods Nutritionists patronize Trader Joes

Health experts love this Hawaiian-themed grocery. Discover the products they will not live without.

Salsa verde, almonds, and broccoli slaw are among nutritionists' top picks at Trader Joe's.

Trader Joe’s, or “TJ’s” as some affectionately call it, maybe a haven for healthy food on a budget. Among the Hawaiian shirts and tiki, the motif is aisles of good-for-you — and a couple of not-so-good-for-you — choices. Either way, nutritionists love this Monrovia, California-based grocery.

In fact, they like it such tons that the five nutritionists we spoke to had a troublesome time naming just one of their favorite foods to buy for there. (One even gave us her entire Trader Joe’s shopping list!) Read on to urge exactly what they put in their red carts.

1. Frozen Garlic

Los Angeles-based chef Beth Saltz, RD, MPH, of Nutrition within the Kitchen, features an extended Trader Joe’s list, but one of her favorite things to buy for is Dorot frozen garlic squares. “They’re perfect for busy nights once you don’t have time to peel and mince garlic,” she says. “Throw them into a sauté pan with hot oil to melt them; then, add steamed veggies and a couple of salt and pepper, and you’ve got a healthy entremets .”

2. Mirepoix

Another purchase that makes Saltz’s kitchen life easier is TJ's Mirepoix. “It’s a mix of freshly diced celery, carrots, and onions that's the bottom of the various recipes,” she says. “I use it in my soup, favorite slow-cooker Mediterranean chicken, and much of other soups and stews.”

3. Cheese

“There are too many choices to mention, but my all-time favorite is that the mini brie bites,” says Karen Ansel, RDN, co-author of The Calendar Diet: A Month by Month Guide to Losing Weight While Living Your Life. “The one that designed these could also be a real genius. It’s the first bride I’ve ever had where the rind tastes good! Plus, they’re perfectly portioned so you recognize when to say when.”

4. Nuts

“TJ’s has an in-depth nut department,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, an Everyday Health columnist and author of reading It Before You Eat It. “And some even are available 100-calorie packs to help you control portion sizes and calories.”

She adds their whole roasted unsalted almonds to her roasted veggie recipes, uses their sliced almonds to top her muffins, and tosses the slivered almonds into coleslaw (she toasts them first).

5. Broccoli Slaw

When Elizabeth Ward, RD, a nutrition consultant who blogs at Better is that the New Perfect goes to Trader Joe’s, she heads straight to the produce department to pick up the broccoli slaw. “I can make an entremets in minutes with it: I exploit chopped red onion, dried cranberries, a mayonnaise-Greek yogurt mixture, and sliced almonds,” she says. “Also, their frozen wild salmon could also be a favorite!”

6. Seed and Grain Blend

Ansel also loves Trader Joe’s Super Seed & Ancient Grain Blend. “It’s loaded with different seeds like sprouted buckwheat groats, sprouted millet, chia, flax, red quinoa, hemp, and amaranth, so it’s filled with fiber,” she says. “It also gives you a huge omega-3 boost. I stir it into oatmeal or yogurt to feature more nutrients.” you'll also eat it on its own as a cold or hot breakfast cereal.

7. Chocolate Caramel Wedges

Even nutritionists have an appetite. Mitzi Dulan, RD, author of The Pinterest Diet: the thanks to Pin Your Way Thin and team nutritionist for the 2015 World Series champions, the Kansas City Royals, reaches for Trader Joe’s chocolate caramel wedges when she's craving something sweet. “They give me the chocolate fix that I sometimes need,” she says. “I love the small portions — they’re only 35 calories each — and thus the small tin they're available in. I often carry it in my purse.”

8. Salsa

“I’m a huge fan of their salsa verde,” says Ansel. “With 10 calories per 2 tablespoons, it’s as close as you'll come to a calorie-free food, but it’s got huge flavor. i actually love it on their green chili tamales, which you will find within the freezer section, or on top of quesadillas.”

9. Organic chicken breast tenders

Saltz bases many of her family’s meals on what she buys at Trader Joe’s. one of her favorites is their Organic Chicken Tenders. “At least once hebdomadally I quickly toss these during a mix of flour, salt, and pepper, then sauté them in oil,” she says. “In 10 minutes, family dinner is completed .”



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