Best Trader Joe’s Food For Weight Loss
When it comes to trying to lose weight, some of us opt for strict regimens and meal plans that show up in the mail. Some of us, though, opt for counting calories but without a structured diet. Either way, your trip to the grocery store can be overwhelming when you’re serious about dropping some pounds.
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(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)There's a benefit to eating some of Trader Joe’s food. When it comes to trying to lose weight, some of us opt for strict regimens and meal plans that show up in the mail. Some of us, though, opt for counting calories but without a structured diet. Either way, your trip to the grocery store can be overwhelming when you’re serious about dropping some pounds.
Fortunately, Trader Joe's has some awesome options. First of all, there’s a secret strategy for success that works pretty well: stick to the perimeter of the store for the majority of your food. That’s where you’ll find produce, proteins, eggs and dairy, for instance. These foods contribute to a healthy diet.
Try to stay out of the aisles. They’re loaded with processed food full of sugar and carbs, not to mention sodium.
With these tips in mind, check out some of the best Trader Joe’s diet-friendly foods:
- Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausage: If you need to boost the protein in your diet, check these out. Each link contains 11 grams of protein at only 100 calories.
- Hearts of Palm Pasta: It’s a delicious vegetable alternative to starchy pasta with no sodium and only 20 calories per serving.
- Crunchy Almond Butter No Salt: Nut butters are often synonymous with added sugar, but this one is made with just almonds, so you get nothing but healthy fats, protein and fiber. Have a spoonful , or put it on apple slices for a great snack.
- Green Goddess Salad Dressing: This is not your Mother’s Green Goddess! Forget the added sugar, salt and unpronounceable additives. Trader Joe’s Green Goddess packs a punch of healthy flavor and only
20 calories per serving with ingredients like apple cider vinegar, green onion, parsley and basil.
- Jicama Wraps: With a texture similar to an apple and a mild flavor, these unique pure jicama wraps can be easily substituted as a low-carb alternative to traditional wraps that contain between 70 and 110 calories. At only 15 calories a piece, these jicama wraps will give you room to spare for other foods in your meal.
For more healthy ideas from Trader Joe’s, and Trader Joe's food, click here.
The Most Popular Trader Joe’s Items According To Customers
Trader Joe's die hard fans and customers have revealed their favorite products for 2023. For the 14th year, Trader Joe's released their Customer Choice Awards. They asked shoppers to pick their favorite item across nine categories: overall, beverage, cheese, entrée, household, produce, snack, sweet/dessert, and vegan/vegetarian. Surprisingly, the viral sensation Mandarin Orange Chicken, was not on the list! Here's the most popular products that Trader Joe's customers love.
You won't find the Mandarin Orange Chicken on this list because TJ retired it. Five other products that made the list in previous years have also excluded. The Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets, Unexpected Cheddar, and Soy Chorizo are also living in retirement. To find their answers on their most popular products, Trader Joe's asked shoppers the important question:
If you were to spend the rest of your life on a deserted island, which nine Trader Joe’s products would you take with you?
The company had over 18,000 customers respond! Here's what made their favorite list. You can find these products at the Tampa or St. Pete Trader Joe's location.
Best Overall: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
These spicy little scrolls made from stone ground corn masa that is cut, rolled, and fried to a captivating crunchiness—then generously dusted with hot chili & lime flavored seasoning.
Runner up:
TJ's Hashbrowns
Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings
Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend - We use this on EVERYTHING (no pun intended)
4 Chocolate Croissants
Best Beverage: Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice Beverage (Seasonal)
This is a three-ingredient blend of 100% Honeycrisp apple juice, water, and bubbles. Too bad it's not on the shelf year-round.
Runner Up:
Triple Ginger Brew (seasonal)
Sparkling Peach Black Tea with Peach Juice
Sparkling Cranberry & Ginger Beverage (seasonal)
Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Oat Creamer
Best Cheese: Cheddar with Caramelized Onions
This full-bodied English cheddar is mixed with onion marmalade for a memorable, sweet-savory bite.
Runners Up:
Syrah Soaked Toscano
Baked Lemon Ricotta (seasonal)
Blueberry & Vanilla Chèvre
Brie (various)
Best Entrée: Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice
Trader Joe's has the best pre-made meals around. This is an authentic Indian recipe that's mildly spiced and partnered with delicate, fragrant grains of Basmati rice.
Runners Up:
Chicken Tikka Masala
Kung Pao Chicken
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese (seasonal)
BBQ Teriyaki Chicken
Best Household Item: Scented Candles
Who doesn't love a scented candle? Trader Joe’s Scented Candles are made with a paraben-free, soy-wax blend imbued with sweet fragrance and hand-poured into a portable lidded tin. They burn for up to 20 hours and have the best seasonal scents!
Runners Up:
Daily Facial Sunscreen
Ultra-Moisturizng Hand Cream
Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo & Conditioner
Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Best Produce: Bananas
Trader Joe's Organic Bananas are an incredible value at 25¢ each, every day!
Runners Up:
Teeny Tiny Avocados
Honeycrisp Apples
Brussels Sprouts
Organic Carrots of Many Colors
Best Snack: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
We already told you how delicious this snack is! It's perfect for picnics, beach days, work breaks, movie watching, and anything in between.
Runners Up:
Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers
Organic Corn Chip Dippers
World's Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs - OUR FAVORITE
Crunchy Curls
Best Sweet/Dessert: Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones
Each crunchy cone is lined with smooth chocolate and filled with creamy ice cream—then dipped in a rich, chocolatey coating.
Runners Up:
Danish Kringle (various)
Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches
Chocolate Lava Cakes
Brookie
Best Vegan/Vegetarian: Kale & Cashew Pesto
The most simple pesto recipe that's perfect for any vegan. Made with kale, cashew and basil. Add garlic to give it a little more flavor, or lemon juice to brighten it up.
Runners Up:
Vegetable Fried Rice
Beefless Bulgogi
Palak Paneer
Cauliflower Gnocchi
