Why I love Trader Joes

TamTastic
TamTastic Posts: 19,224 Member
edited September 18 in Food and Nutrition
I seem to be always finding something new in this store that I love. It has really helped me to change things up, find new items and not get bored while losing weight. Of course, I try to make unprocessed foods as much as possible, but their frozen section is great for a quick, healthful meal.

Today, I got the following for dinner tonight:
Southwest Style Turkey Burgers(in frozen section): 100 cal, 3 g fat, 1 g fiber
Whole Wheat Hamburger Bun: 110 cal, 2 g fat, 2 g fiber
Roasted Potatoes with Roasted Peppers and Onions (1 1/2 serving): 135 Cal, 2 g fat, 3 g fiber
Frozen Peas: 70 cal, 1 g fat, 4 g fiber

Now, that is a really nice, filling meal for 415 calories, 8 g fat and it has 10 g fiber! Also, the turkey burgers have 70% of your daily Vitamin C!

Of course you can always find less caloric buns, etc...but these are really nice rolls.

Also, they have these little bran muffins there..apple/cranberry bran with 80 calories, 1.5 g fat and 13 g fiber! You have one of these and you have a nice chunk of your daily fiber intake. (I am a fan of Dr. Oz on Oprah and he says women should aim for at least 25 g of fiber a day)

Ok, just thought I would share for those that have never tried TJ or those that are new to it! :)

Replies

  • TamTastic
    TamTastic Posts: 19,224 Member
    I seem to be always finding something new in this store that I love. It has really helped me to change things up, find new items and not get bored while losing weight. Of course, I try to make unprocessed foods as much as possible, but their frozen section is great for a quick, healthful meal.

    Today, I got the following for dinner tonight:
    Southwest Style Turkey Burgers(in frozen section): 100 cal, 3 g fat, 1 g fiber
    Whole Wheat Hamburger Bun: 110 cal, 2 g fat, 2 g fiber
    Roasted Potatoes with Roasted Peppers and Onions (1 1/2 serving): 135 Cal, 2 g fat, 3 g fiber
    Frozen Peas: 70 cal, 1 g fat, 4 g fiber

    Now, that is a really nice, filling meal for 415 calories, 8 g fat and it has 10 g fiber! Also, the turkey burgers have 70% of your daily Vitamin C!

    Of course you can always find less caloric buns, etc...but these are really nice rolls.

    Also, they have these little bran muffins there..apple/cranberry bran with 80 calories, 1.5 g fat and 13 g fiber! You have one of these and you have a nice chunk of your daily fiber intake. (I am a fan of Dr. Oz on Oprah and he says women should aim for at least 25 g of fiber a day)

    Ok, just thought I would share for those that have never tried TJ or those that are new to it! :)
  • watch48win
    watch48win Posts: 1,668 Member
    I wish we had a Trader Joes around here. The closet ones are up in Northern VA.:grumble:
  • memeburke
    memeburke Posts: 65
    Me too! I'm in the northeast. East Hartford Connecticut.
  • TamTastic
    TamTastic Posts: 19,224 Member
    Hey meme, I am in CT too....down in the Fairfield County area. I just checked the TJ website and it says there is one located in West Hartford on New Britain Ave. Does that sound familiar?
  • kimber607
    kimber607 Posts: 7,128 Member
    Hi

    I picked up the blueberry bran muffins last week
    I'll have to check out the turkey burgers...sound good....
    Please post if you see anything else..I'm usually shopping with my 2yr old so I don't have too much time to read labels etc

    Thanks, Kim
  • TamTastic
    TamTastic Posts: 19,224 Member
    These are some of my favorite staples from Trader Joes. I usually stock up on this stuff weekly as well as stuff from a regular grocery store.


    Cinnamon Crumpets: 110 calories, 0 fat (great breakfast with a banana or yogurt)

    Roasted Veggie Enchiladas: 300 calories for the whole tray and very tasty

    Southwest Style Gourmet Flatbreads: 90 calories and 3 g fat per serving (one of my fav things right now)

    Sour Cream and Onion Crisps (made with Rice): 120 calories and 3.5 g of fat per serving. (They really help my craving for chips. You can have 38 of them per serving and they almost taste like cool ranch doritos to me)

    Extra Lean Ground Beef Patties(fresh): 150 Calories, 5 g fat per serving

    Chili Lime Chicken Burgers (frozen): 110 calories

    Southwest Turkey Burgers(frozen): 100 calories, 1.5 g fat

    Barley Soup with Vegetables

    Pomegranate/Cranberry Bran Muffins

    Apple/Cranberry Bran Muffins

    Frozen fruit/veggies (They have a nice selection....try the "Greens with Envy" Blend)

    Apple Tarte Tatin: I think it's like 120 calories and 3 g of fat..something like that. And the label says a serving is 1/4 of the pie, which is a pretty big piece! It is made with phyllo instead of normal pie crust.


    Hope this helps!
    Tami
  • mydogmesa2
    mydogmesa2 Posts: 205 Member
    Trader Joes is the ONLY place here in Vegas that I can find fresh shelled edamame. I have looked everywhere for it and all I can find is frozen or in the pod. The frozen tastes terrible and the pods are a pain in the but cuz I dont eat them.. Thank God fot TJ!! Exept Its all the way across town.. I guess I cant complain to much, when i lived in NM the closest one was 4 hours away! :grumble:

    I need to make a trip there soon!
  • banks1850
    banks1850 Posts: 3,475 Member
    my only issue with trader joe's is the prices are very high. I realize that this is because they offer speciality items, but it's still hard. So normally my wife and I go to Market Basket (a NE chain that has extremely good prices), and if we have time we will drop in on TJ's after to pick up things we think are cool. Other then prices though, TJ's has great selection of stuff and some really great options out there!
  • mmtarase
    mmtarase Posts: 9
    my only issue with trader joe's is the prices are very high. I realize that this is because they offer speciality items, but it's still hard.

    That's really interesting because most things are cheaper at TJ's here in Charlotte than the local grocery store. Milk, bread, cheese, and of course two buck chuck! :drinker:
  • mydogmesa2
    mydogmesa2 Posts: 205 Member
    my only issue with trader joe's is the prices are very high. I realize that this is because they offer speciality items, but it's still hard.

    That's really interesting because most things are cheaper at TJ's here in Charlotte than the local grocery store. Milk, bread, cheese, and of course two buck chuck! :drinker:

    Trader Joes seems cheap to me too!!
  • TamTastic
    TamTastic Posts: 19,224 Member
    Yeah, I always think of TJ as less expensive. I mean, SOME things are more but overall the prices are better. I can get two good size bags (the paper bags) of groceries for $30-$40 and have my stapes to last me awhile.

    I wonder if the prices are higher up where you are Banks.
  • banks1850
    banks1850 Posts: 3,475 Member
    might be. dunno. Everything else is. LOL!
  • Erica92627
    Erica92627 Posts: 576
    The eggs at the trader joes near me is cheaper than in the store, a lot of their stuff is expensive, but usually better for you.
  • Helawat
    Helawat Posts: 605 Member
    I went to Trader Joes and was overwhelmed by the prices. No way I'm going to pay $4.50 for four nectarines.

    I'm gonna stick to Walmart! I need a place where I can buy peanutbutter, razorblades, and cold cream all in the same visit.
  • mydogmesa2
    mydogmesa2 Posts: 205 Member
    I went to Trader Joes and was overwhelmed by the prices. No way I'm going to pay $4.50 for four nectarines.

    I'm gonna stick to Walmart! I need a place where I can buy peanutbutter, razorblades, and cold cream all in the same visit.

    Of course not!! I only go to Tjs for things I cant find ANYWHERE else! They have alot of stuff you just cant get anywhere.
  • TamTastic
    TamTastic Posts: 19,224 Member
    I definitely don't do a huge shop at TJ. I have about 10-15 staples I like there that I will buy but for other things I stick to a regular grocery store. But, they are great for things you can't find anywhere else and a lot of the prices are very reasonable. The meat and produce are a little high and I usually stick to another store for that as a result.

    They are great if you are trying to lost weight and eat healthy since they offer some nice alternatives.
  • ahertel0214
    ahertel0214 Posts: 244 Member
    I love Trader Joe's - up here in the Northwest TJ's pricing is very competitive with the regular chain grocery stores.

    Also, the company I work for makes gourmet cookies and crackers. Trader Joe's carries our low fat line... Wisecrackers - the Roasted Garlic and Rosemary are great!

    We sell nation wide - 4 lines, Partners, Wisecrackers, Blue Star Farms (organic) and Partners Gourmet Granola.
  • zenmama
    zenmama Posts: 1,000
    I am in CT and I go to the one in West Hartford by the mall (the Old Filenes Basement)...I am in Tolland (UCONN territory) and it take me NO more than 30 min to get there....I do it once a week!

    I Love it is health food on a Job Lot budget!!! :happy:
    I do not feel it is expensive at all???
    zen
  • TamTastic
    TamTastic Posts: 19,224 Member
    I know. I am starting to think the prices are different in different areas because for the most part, I see TJ as less expensive. I mean, SOME things are more but for the most part, things are very reasonable. I just blend my weekly shopping with both TJ and another grocery store and get some great stuff.
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