As I started peeking at 30, it became clear to me that many of my eating habits were fueled by the illusion of immortality (which was rapidly expiring). But turning into a healthy person was not without its challenges. For example, healthy food is crazy expensive, and it’s easy to let it turn into sewer sludge just by not looking in your crisper for four days.
Then, I discovered Trader Joe’s. Their odd little selection of cool brands, original products and cheap, pre-cut produce made my life a lot easier. Here are a few of my suggestions for healthy-ish items to pick up next time you head there.
1. Pomegranate Seeds
For some reason, Trader Joe’s pomegranate seeds taste the best. They’re also the cheapest. I put these on everything, from smoothies to brussels sprouts. They are life-changing.
2. Spindrift Seltzer
Unfortunately, Coke Zero now appears less “bae” after reading a few nutrition books. I am instead quite partial to Spindrift Seltzers. These are like La Croix x10, with a few drops of real fruit juice in each can. Their grapefruit, lemon and cucumber varieties are amazing. Plus, they make great mixers.
3. Organic Beef Jerky
I used to think beef jerky was a garbage food, but after working with a registered dietitian, I have learned that it’s not so bad as long as it’s organic. This jerky still contains some soy, so I don’t think it would get her seal of approval, but I’m still in the phase of being proud of eating organic stuff at all so I buy it by the fistful.
4. Steel-Cut Oats
These make a mean “porridge,” as the British health influencers I follow on Instagram say. Mix it up with peanut butter and fresh berries and you are on your way to bragging about how much fiber was in your breakfast, my friend.
5. Frozen Mixed Berries, Cherries and Açai Packs
I have a protein smoothie for breakfast every morning (per dietitian’s advice). Blueberries are my go-to smoothie ingredient, but when I want a treat, I add other berries or cherries. After visiting Brazil, I also got into açai smoothies for awhile. Here’s a recipe I made for those back in the day.
6. Turmeric Ginger Tea
Trader Joe’s has lots of fun and healthy teas, but my favorite is the turmeric ginger. It tastes amazing, and is a simpler way to add turmeric to your day than making golden milk (which my friend Stacia pointed out tastes like “dirt”). Read more about the health benefits of turmeric here.
7. Larabars
My friend Liz, who has done the Whole30 multiple times, turned me onto Larabars. They’re mostly made out of dates and nuts, and are ok if you’re on a paleo diet (which I did for a week for City Pages). They’re cheaper at Trader Joe’s, so I always pick up a few.
8. Superseed Blend
I found chia seeds very creepy when they first rolled onto the scene. They look like bloated little dinosaur eggs. That said, I know that chia seeds and their ilk are definitely worth adding to your diet. TJ’s Superseed Blend is perfect for adding to smoothies or energy bites.
9. Beet Hummus
This bright purple hummus is delicious, rich and addictive. It makes eating 40 carrots in a row feel a bit more like enjoying a dessert that takes forever to chew, so that’s fun.
10. Coppola Wine
Wine might not really count as HEALTHY or FOOD, but I would be doing you a disservice not to mention this $11 bottle. It goes for about $7 cheaper at the TJ’s liquor store than anywhere else, and it’s absolutely delicious. Plus, I’ve heard red wine described as “artery scrubbing,” so if you limit your consumption to one glass, it’s healthier than not.
What do you like to get at Trader Joe’s? Also this post isn’t sponsored, I just kept googling this topic before shopping so I decided to write my own version.