Trader Joe's - what do you buy?

HuskyHiker413
HuskyHiker413 Posts: 78 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I went in to trader Joe's to pick up some quest bars and started to wonder what else might be awesome at trader Joe's... I figured it would be a great question for all you wonderful MFP people!

So what do you love to buy at TJs?
«13

Replies

  • mamasmaltz3
    mamasmaltz3 Posts: 1,111 Member
    Uhhh, cookie butter. Lots of cookie butter.
  • boweg
    boweg Posts: 16 Member
    Cauliflower rice (when its not sold out) and avocado salsa.
  • Lasmartchika
    Lasmartchika Posts: 3,440 Member
    Their dark chocolate... and wine... and cream cheese...
  • MakePeasNotWar
    MakePeasNotWar Posts: 1,329 Member
    I love the black cherry diet soda and the dried coconut. Also the sweet popcorn that comes in the blue bags, though I don't buy it that often because I'll eat at least 3 servings at a time. Same with the "inner peas" green pea crisps ( but not the black bean ones; they taste weird to me)

    I buy the healthy 8 veggie mix for salads and stir-fries as well. It makes them so easy.
  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,254 Member
    I go to TJ's almost every day. Produce, milk, fruit, nuts, cheese, wine, peanut butter, bread..TJ's is where I do my normal grocery shopping. They have some awesome salsas, amazing cookies and very good tortilla chips. One of my favorites in their light champagne vinaigrette dressing. 50 calories for a 2T serving, and hardly any sugar. Also love their Just Mango dried mango...no sulfites or other preservatives and no added sugar.
  • fearlessleader104
    fearlessleader104 Posts: 723 Member
    Cheesecake bites
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    Stacked eggplant parmesan - it's not breaded, which is much tastier to me.
    Chinese chicken and dumpling soup
    Several of the frozen Indian and Thai frozen meals
    Blintzes are good, as are the frozen croissants and several of the other pastries.

    I avoid the pizzas and similar. I think they're tasteless.
  • campdawson
    campdawson Posts: 69 Member
    whmscll wrote: »
    I go to TJ's almost every day. Produce, milk, fruit, nuts, cheese, wine, peanut butter, bread..TJ's is where I do my normal grocery shopping. They have some awesome salsas, amazing cookies and very good tortilla chips. One of my favorites in their light champagne vinaigrette dressing. 50 calories for a 2T serving, and hardly any sugar. Also love their Just Mango dried mango...no sulfites or other preservatives and no added sugar.

    Same here. I do my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's too and pricing is very competitive.
  • the_great_unknown
    the_great_unknown Posts: 194 Member
    I get a lot of my groceries there.

    1. Half and half
    2. Greek yogurt (usually vanilla bean and honey) in the single serving package,
    3. Butter lettuce, the creamy cilantro salad dressing,
    4. Frozen flounder that's stuffed with crab (these are fantastic!)
    5. Frozen farfalle with spinach and cheese (better if you add extra spinach because there is a lot of sauce)
    6. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
    7. Bananas
    8. Clif bars
    9. Frozen Cod Provencal meal with ratatouille
    10. Costa Rica Terrazu coffee
    11. Baby bok choi

    Less often
    1. Indian simmer sauces (Masala, I think)
    2. Frozen roasted corn
    3. Frozen cilantro cubes (they are always out of this lately)
  • JenileeFinley
    JenileeFinley Posts: 15 Member
    Crunchy green beans, organic baby kale, candied walnuts, tropical fruit medley, stuffed bell peppers, hummus, olive oil, tortellini, bananas, Lara bars, almond breeze, frozen mango (for smoothies) and organic sugar snap peas.
  • Ultima_Morpha
    Ultima_Morpha Posts: 892 Member
    They have the best buy in town for organic, cold pressed coconut oil.

    We like a spice grinder they have called Everyday Seasoning. Goes great on everything.

    I like their house brand of Greek yogurt.

    Thai chili lime cashews.
  • frenchtoastkarma
    frenchtoastkarma Posts: 4 Member
    edited July 2015
    There are so many things I like at trader joes.

    frozen:
    caramelized onion feta cheese pastry bites
    pastry pups
    full fat mac and cheese (not the diet version which is less delicious)
    "just sauce" tomato bolognese
    italian meatballs
    chow mein
    mac & cheese bites
    croissants (chocolate, regular, almond...they are all good)
    quiche

    prepared:
    traditional meatloaf
    chicken marsala with mashed potatoes
    teriyaki chicken
    wine country chicken salad
    chicken pot pie

    dips/sauces/spreads:
    feta cheese spread
    bacon ranch dip
    crunchy cookie butter
    maple syrup

    nuts:
    honey sesame cashews
    candied pecans

    cheese/meat:
    rosemary asiago. omfg. omfg.
    applewood smoked bacon. makes really good maple bacon. really, really good.

    desserts/bread/cereal:
    dark chocolate peanut butter cupcakes
    inside out carrot cake cookies
    chocolate cream cheese brownies
    salted caramel gelato
    mango sorbet
    key lime pie
    molten chocolate lava cakes
    blueberry muffins
    maple pecan cluster cereal
    strawberry cereal bars
    PRETZEL BREADDDD

    the only things I don't really like from TJ's is their yogurt/chips/crackers/soup.
  • martyqueen52
    martyqueen52 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Cocoa + Cookie butter jars. I bought about 10 last trip
  • tspencer824
    tspencer824 Posts: 23 Member
    Pork Belly
    Cookie Butter
    Cookies and Cream Cookie Butter
    Cookie Butter Ice cream
    Cookie Butter Cheesecake
    Anything cookie butter....
    ummmm.....
    I also get salsa verde yum.
    Too bad the closest TJs is now in Tallahassee :( Maybe I will have to take a trip one day!
  • LeanButNotMean44
    LeanButNotMean44 Posts: 852 Member
    My "staple" items from TJ's are:
    soy milk
    Greek yogurt
    Lite Kettle corn (snack bags)
    Reduced guilt chicken salad
    Chicken tamales
    Frozen veggies
    Dark chocolate
  • bostongrl13
    bostongrl13 Posts: 58 Member
    Chocolate covered S'mores bites, wine, pretzel bread, their frozen spinach & artichoke dip. Nom nom nom.
  • Nuke_64
    Nuke_64 Posts: 406 Member
    Raisin Medley. You'd swear they coated them with sugar (there're not).
  • MsJulesRenee
    MsJulesRenee Posts: 1,180 Member
    The wine :D
  • flightybird
    flightybird Posts: 32 Member
    Tahini sauce, blueberry chevre, and they sell this peanut butter & jelly Greek yogurt that sounds ridiculous, but is AMAZING!
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Cracker cuts, water crackers, naan, mochi, and their fruit tarts.
  • mistikal13
    mistikal13 Posts: 1,457 Member
    Cookie butter, dark chocolate, nuts, dried fruits, olive oil, fruits, veggies, nut butters, how long do you have?
  • Urban_Princess
    Urban_Princess Posts: 219 Member
    edited July 2015
    • Chocolate honey mints
    • coconut flour
    • stevia
    • agave
    • sunflower seeds
    • bread (if i ever buy it..60-70 cals a slice!)
    • salsa (5 cals for 2 TBSP, yes please)
    • boxed indian food (the lentils or eggplant mix)
    • peanut butter with flax and chia seeds

    i'd buy other stuff but it would melt before i hit the border - things like yogurt, cheese, cauliflower rice, etc..

    Also, there is a list of things I want to buy but afraid i'd eat the whole package
    • Chili mango pieces
    • coconut cashews
    • any nuts in general
    • any cookie related product ...okay any dessert really
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    There's only one reason to go to TJ's: Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds...
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Urban_Princess wrote: »
    • Chocolate honey mints
    • coconut flour
    • stevia
    • agave
    • sunflower seeds
    • bread (if i ever buy it..60-70 cals a slice!)
    • salsa (5 cals for 2 TBSP, yes please)
    • boxed indian food (the lentils or eggplant mix)
    • peanut butter with flax and chia seeds

    i'd buy other stuff but it would melt before i hit the border - things like yogurt, cheese, cauliflower rice, etc..

    [/list]

    My friend, something is missing from your list. Your Trader Joe's insulated grocery bag. I left mine in the car in 100 degree heat for 8 hours and the ice was still frozen. Now GO! Go and buy all the yogurt and cheese that your heart desires!

    wJDnVser8v.jpg

  • amcook4
    amcook4 Posts: 561 Member
    I stock up on wine, I'll end up with a case of three buck chuck every time I go. I also always get dark chocolate covered edamame.
  • steeheart
    steeheart Posts: 56 Member
    campdawson wrote: »
    whmscll wrote: »
    I go to TJ's almost every day. Produce, milk, fruit, nuts, cheese, wine, peanut butter, bread..TJ's is where I do my normal grocery shopping. They have some awesome salsas, amazing cookies and very good tortilla chips. One of my favorites in their light champagne vinaigrette dressing. 50 calories for a 2T serving, and hardly any sugar. Also love their Just Mango dried mango...no sulfites or other preservatives and no added sugar.

    Same here. I do my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's too and pricing is very competitive.

  • sixxpoint
    sixxpoint Posts: 3,529 Member
    Their organic carrot juice is always tasty.

    Their dried coconut is very natural tasting.

    Check out the chicken and cheese tamales, too.
  • felinasbeads
    felinasbeads Posts: 75 Member
    I don't make enough money to shop there. :(
  • steeheart
    steeheart Posts: 56 Member
    I love trader joes! I've lost 55 lbs now shopping mostly at trader joes. The key for me has been portion control. That's why I love the frozen tamales, pizzas, and many of their entrees. When you cook a full meal from scratch things aren't easily portioned out for you. With trader joes there isn't too much guess work involved in counting your calories. Also! Trader joes actually has pretty strict guidelines for what chemicals, colors, preservatives and ingredients their food is made with. More strict than whole foods! So although it's frozen, it's healthier than lean cuisines and other frozen entree companies.

    -Frozen hash brown patties.
    -frozen vegetarian orange "chicken" nuggets
    -frozen tamales
    -Frozen Panko crusted tilapia. Perfect for tacos
    -cut mango and pineapple
    -fresh shrimp spring rolls
    -dark chocolate covered pretzels
    -flavored sparkling water bottles
    -frozen personal pizzas

  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,254 Member
    amcook4 wrote: »
    I stock up on wine, I'll end up with a case of three buck chuck every time I go. I also always get dark chocolate covered edamame.

    I can't drink the "chuck" wine (2.5 Buck Chuck where I am). I only use it to cook.

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