Trader Joe's favorites...what are yours?

OBXGal

I'm heading to Trader Joe's in a bit and I'm looking for some more low fat/low cal ideas. What are your favs?

Channing

I have a major chip weakness, so i love their plantain chips with salsa! Really low cal and fufills my snack cravings!

antijen

Not exactly a food per se, but pick up a bottle of their 21 seasoning salute. It makes boring low cal stuff taste that much better! Everyday seasoning is pretty good too, but beware it has salt in it.

Losing2Live69

Not exactly a food per se, but pick up a bottle of their 21 seasoning salute. It makes boring low cal stuff taste that much better! Everyday seasoning is pretty good too, but beware it has salt in it.

I use 21 seasoning salute too! Trader Joe's is out of town, so I buy 3 or 4 bottles at a time!

annebuta

I love Trader Joe's!
Some of my recent favorites:

- Chili Mango Fruit Floes - spicy and sweet - 110 calories!
- egg white salad (good with crackers or on a bagel, only 50 cals for 1/2 a tub...the spicy ranchero one is yummy)
- Vegetarian Marsala burgers (in the frozen case)
For an easy meal, the rosemary chicken and wild rice pilaf is good - only 300 calories for half the package - we use this for a meal standby on nights we both work - it is already prepared in the fridge section. Steam some broccoli and you have a yummy dinner for less than 350 calories!

So many more but that's all I can come up with for now.....good luck! Look forward to seeing other ideas, too!

psugrad02

they have a corn salsa that is amazing...also, the salads that are pre-packaged are great and super low in calories. they just started to carry their own brand of the mac and cheese but the low fat version...not bad. that's all I can think of! happy shopping!

realme56

Whole Wheat Mini Pitas, hummus, pretzel thins, fancy lite mexican cheese, blue corn tortilla, salsa refried beans, skinless boneless chicken thighs.....Argentinian Shrimp (when in season) , marinated Tuna (I cook, cool and mix with their low fat mayo for a healthier tuna spread) Mahi.....yeah like most of the store!

pixietoes

Almonds, cheeses, Clif Builder bars (although I recently found I could buy them by the box cheaper at Walmart) this week I got pea shoots and beluga lentils from the produce case. Also I buy wine and coffee there (I consider both essential elements of my weekly diet.)

auntiebabs

a big fan of their
- Frozen Turkey Meatballs
- Chicken sausage
- Chocolately Cats, Cookies for People
- Pasta Italiano
- Multigrain toaster waffles
- Palek Paneer (East Indian Spinach with cheese)
- Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas

not necessary at the same time.(lol)

shesnotthere

French Roast coffee... so good so cheap ! I know that isn't what you meant, is it?

They are great for nuts and dried fruit, and oils and some spices. If you are short on time, then their frozen cooked brown rice can be a life saver, just 2 minutes in the microwave and you have perfect brown rice. You can cook brown rice and freeze it yourself, but some people don't have the time. They also have a lot of flavored waters that aren't too high in calories. They are also good for certain cheeses and dairy products.

This isn't diet food, but I LOVE their red thai curry sauce. I throw in some chicken, onion and bell pepper with the sauce and have it with brown rice. It isn't terrible on calories.

Janworkingitout

Ok, you asked for it:

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Sausage (in the fresh meat dept) - just plain delicious
Avocado's Number Guacamole - fresh and good!
Fire Roasted Corn (Frozen, delicious!)
Chile Lime Chicken Burgers - w/guac on top,yummy
Sweet Potato Fries - 'nuff said!
Dark Chocolate Berries - so good, I had to stop buying them!
Dark Chocolate Nutty Bits - see comment above

I won't bore you with my other favorites, it might make me look obsessed! Despite my love of TJ's food I am doing well on my weight loss journey, so don't judge me :blushing:

Karmiene

My sister loves, Loves, LOVES Trader Joe's frozen salmon burgers.

DianaPowerUp

I LOVE Trader Joe's! There are sooooo many yummy nutritious things there, it's hard to go wrong! One thing I like to pick up are some of the different sausages they have - totally yummy, but much lower in cal. than sausages made with pork. The frozen Indian meals are really good, and they have a large variety of trail mixes....but my all time fave - the Everything cracker - O....M....G....

jeannas

Bump!

dad106

I love Trader Joes! My dad goes shopping there all time for our family!

My favorites are their:
Cinnamon Rasin Bread. Only 80 calories a slice and is low fat/sugar.
Cinnamon Rasin English Muffin(the whole grain one). Want to say its about 130 calories a muffin. spread some peanut butter on it and its amazing.
Pre-packaged Filet Migon. Not too low in calorie, but it is very low in fat.. very lean with very little to no fat on the meat at all.
Grilled Chicken Burgers... These you can microwave for about a minute or two and you have a healthy dinner. My mom and I highly enjoy these.

OBXGal

Thank you everyone! This is what I got and some of my favs...I looked for everything that you guys suggested..thank you so much!

21 seasoning salute spice mix
refried black beans
brussel sprouts (I love these roasted to the point where they are carmelized a bit)
broccoli (again, love it roasted in the oven, my new fav veggie!)
Pretzel thins
Plantain chips
Chocolately cats cookies for people

Roasted frozen corn..this stuff is amazing, great in soups or black bean/corn salsa
Tomatoless corn salsa - so good!
Chili Lime chicken burgers
Organic black bean soup (I put some of the corn salsa in it and it's really tasty!)

I saw they now have multi-grain Trader O's cereal..I didn't get any because I have some of the regular O's left, but thought it was interesting.

hamncheese67

Sigh...I miss Trader Joe's. I used to live in California and then moved to Florida. Nearest Trader Joe's is in Atlanta.

MyNameIsNotBob

Dark chocolate covered blueberries. OMG. Not the lowest fat ever, but sooooooo freaking delicious.

moremari

This is a great list! I'm going to copy it and head to TJ's tomorrow!:drinker:

Thank you everyone! This is what I got and some of my favs...I looked for everything that you guys suggested..thank you so much!

21 seasoning salute spice mix
refried black beans
brussel sprouts (I love these roasted to the point where they are carmelized a bit)
broccoli (again, love it roasted in the oven, my new fav veggie!)
Pretzel thins
Plantain chips
Chocolately cats cookies for people

Roasted frozen corn..this stuff is amazing, great in soups or black bean/corn salsa
Tomatoless corn salsa - so good!
Chili Lime chicken burgers
Organic black bean soup (I put some of the corn salsa in it and it's really tasty!)

I saw they now have multi-grain Trader O's cereal..I didn't get any because I have some of the regular O's left, but thought it was interesting.

Brandicaloriecountess

Their 96/4 ground beef is cheap!
Greek yogurt
Dried fruit bars
Freeze dried strawberries
One ingredient peanut butter
Sunflower seed butter
Veggie sticks/chip for my kids
Marinara Sauce (50 cals)
Various veggies
Low fat French Toast

I adore Trader Joe's

maremare312

Frozen chile lime chicken burgers
Instant miso soup (only 90 cal for 2 servings but the sodium is insane. Still so good)
Fat free balsamic dressing
Quinoa

Calidaho

Sweet potato spears in the produce section.
Grilled chicken burger patties made with thigh meat.
Canned artichoke hearts.
Chicken Asada pizza.
Caribbean Fruit Floes--80 cals each.
Melage a Trois frozen bell pepper strips.
Frozen grilled Just Chicken.
Sundried tomato hummus
Organic Conacado Fair Trade hot cocoa
Dark chocolate wedges
Their mayo is the best--wish it came in smaller jars since I only use a tiny bit once in a while.
Their corn bread mix is soooo yummy. Definitely a rare treat, though.
Their whole wheat pastas are good
Frozen brown rice. Three bags per box. Microwaves in 3 minutes
Frozen chopped spinach. It is loose instead of a block. I throw a few handfuls in with my marinara sauce for some extra veggies.
Frozen Harcourt Verte. Very tasty for a frozen bean
Their vegetarian corn dogs are so good.
Fat free balsamic vinaigrette--25 cals for 2 tbsp and it doesn't taste like nasty fat free dressing.
Their flowers. Hubby brought home some daisies that lasted almost 3 weeks!


I pretty much do all of my shopping there (except for Flatout wraps, sandwich thins, truvia and sugar free popsicles and jello). They even sell Luna bars for 99 cents. I buy my protein shake powder there. Their frozen fruit selection is priced well. Cheeses are always cheaper--light string cheese, parm and other light shredded cheeses. I buy a lot of their frozen fish. $5 for two tuna steaks that I can keep in the freezer til I need them. I prefer their cottage cheese to the Knudsen brand found in the regular grocery store.

wildchild_jmr

Both are in their freezer section: quinoa with zucchini and sweet potato; marinated grilled eggplant and zucchini. Yum!

BombolinaM

My favorite is trader joe's roasted red pepper hummus with baby carrots.

GypsyWagon

Their Fat Free Feta is amazing, and I love their whole wheat pastas. The frozen mango is off the hook...I eat it right out of the bag...it's like chunks of sorbet. YUM! TJ's plain Kefir is so good, and I love to use their Salsa Verde with broth as a soup base. Just throw in beans, corn, veggies...instant tortilla soup.

yogajan

I love TJs and do almost all of my grocery shopping there. Except for fruits and veggies that I get at the Farmer's Market, I get just about everything else at Traders. I have been liking their wraps, their frozen talipia, and their fresh salsa. A hint from a friend--every time you go there, get something new and different. It is a fun thing to do and has expanded my food horizons outside of my comfort level.

LuckyLeprechaun

best prices BY FAR on Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and also Basalmic Vinegar. So good, and half the price of anywhere else I have found... Love TJ's

gailygail99

OMG! This is my FAVORITE STORE!! I shop there all the time!! Here are some of my favs

Roasted and Sliced Turkey Breast (the kind in the black tray)
Roasted and Sliced Chicken Breast (the kind in the black tray)
Roasted Garlic Hummus
Mini Goat Cheeses
Reduced Fat Cheddar Sticks
Casava Chips
Fat Free Balamic Ving
Organic Marinara Sauce
Organic Whole Wheat Pastas
Frozen Steel Cut Oatmeal
Organic Animal Crackers
Frozen Mushroom Risotto
Frozen Turkey Meatballs
Frozen Asparagus Spears
Fire Roasted Red Peppers
Mini "Hold the Cone" Choc Ice Cream Cones (NEW! onlyh 70 cals a piece)
All their fruits and veggies (watermelon, strawberries, blackberries..etc...)

As you can see, I love this place!! I am sure that I have tons more. It is the best adn the prices are good too!! :bigsmile:

Erindipitous

Bump. I love Trader Joe's!

I like their Savory Thin Mini Rice Crackers in Multiseed with Soy Sauce, 35 of them for 110 calories.

Janworkingitout

I saw they now have multi-grain Trader O's cereal..I didn't get any because I have some of the regular O's left, but thought it was interesting.

I have the organic whole grain Trader O's cereal, one of the few things I didn't like from TJ's. Feels like trying to chew rocks!

Felicia71

My fav is the Roasted Red Pepper Soup. So yummy, only a 100 calories for 1 cup. It's the best I've ever had.