19 Healthy Foods Nutritionists Always Buy at Trader Joe's

"A key to sticking with the healthy items is to shop the perimeter of any Trader Joe's store," says nutritionist and holistic health coach, Jen Silverman. "This lets you stick with the fresher items, such as fruit, vegetables, yogurt, meat, and fish, since packaged, preservative-rich, shelf-stable items are always located in the center aisles."

One veggie-packed item that Silverman loves? TJ's rotating roster of fresh salad mixes. "This salad mix is healthy, nutritious, and takes under three minutes to put together. Plus it's one-third the cost of a salad at a restaurant," she says. "You can eat it as-is or add your favorite protein. Pro tip: Skip the dressing it comes with to cut out the extra sugar."

If you don't like kale slaw, Trader Joe's has similarly healthy mixes such as a Vegan Ranch Crunch Salad Kit and their A Za'atar Tango Salad Kit.

"This soup is not only healthy, but it's delicious," Silverman says. "The ingredients are clean (no fillers or additives). You can enjoy it warmed up in a bowl or pour it on top of your favorite vegetables instead of your standard tomato sauce."

"Two tablespoons of this dip is just 30 calories and 1 gram net carbs, which is low for such a flavorful, hearty dip," says F-Factor founder and registered dietitian Tanya Zuckerbrot. "It's a great appetizer for guests instead of traditional higher-fat dips, like [a] sour cream-based dip."

As TJ fanatics may know, the store sells additional healthy options such as Avocado Tzatziki Dip and Herbed Tahini Sauce.

"This Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry is super simple to make in under 10 minutes," Silverman says. "It's healthy (50 calories and 2 grams of fat per cup), very tasty, and can be eaten as a main or a side." Plus, it's inexpensive at $2.99 per bag. Zuckerbrot adds that unlike many other frozen riced cauliflowers on the market, this one does not have added ingredients like canola, olive, or sunflower oil, butter, or cornstarch. "It's just two simple ingredients: cauliflower and a small amount of salt. Cauliflower is a great source of fiber; it adds bulk and volume to any dish, and is a great replacement for more carbohydrate-heavy dishes like fried rice," Zuckerbrot says.

"A little sweet, a little salty and crunchy, these hit the spot with only 30 calories a pack," say The Nutrition Twins, Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT. "It's a great way to get a little iodine, which many people surprisingly are deficient in. Seaweed also contains sulfated polysaccharides, which can even help with your microbiome by increasing the growth of 'good' bacteria in your gut. Plus at just $3.99 for a 6-pack, they're far less expensive than other brands that typically range from $5.50 to $5.99 for the same 6-pack."

Almonds seem to get all the glory, but according to The Nutrition Twins, walnuts are just as good for you. "They're a good source of antioxidants and one of the few foods that contain the plant form of omega-3 fat, which may help reduce heart disease risk," they say. "Trader Joe's Organic Walnut Halves come in full pieces and the packaging seems to protect the halves from breaking, unlike other brands whose walnuts seem to have a good deal of them crushed into little pieces."

"This is actually a great, filling meal with some baby carrots or whole-grain crackers," says Rachel Paul, Ph.D., RD. "I often advise leaving one in the office freezer for a last-minute meal."

"We all love avocados and guacamole, but it goes brown so quickly," Paul says. "These single-serving guacamole packets are great for breakfast or snacks with hard-boiled eggs or carrots." Plus, they offer portion control since, while avocado is a great source of healthy fat, it's not particularly low in calories.

"These steamed lentils help lower blood sugar, they're low in calories, and a great source of folate and magnesium, contributing to heart health," says Jessica Mantell, MS, LDN, CNS and a Miami-based nutritionist. "Also, they have a good amount of insoluble fiber to help support digestive health."

"This mix of cruciferous vegetables is fiber-rich, so it keeps you full for a long period of time," says Mantell. "It's also extremely beneficial in reducing inflammation and reducing the risk of cancer by protecting the cells from DNA damage."

Nutritional yeast isn't just a cheese alternative for vegans. "Nutritional yeast is a great source of all B vitamins, a complete protein, contains fiber, and is low in fat," Mantell says. You can sprinkle it on anything from a sandwich, to protein, to pizza for a cheesy flavor without all the calories and fat.

"Every kitchen needs affordable, reliable oils that are great for quick and casual use," says Serena Poon, a chef, nutritionist, and reiki master. "Trader Joe's offers organic and premium oils at affordable prices," she adds. They have everything from olive oil (which is great for dressings) to coconut and avocado oils, which are great for high-heat cooking (since they have a high smoke point). Many of their oils are also available in spray cans, which is great for portion control.

"One of my favorite items at Trader Joe's is their Organic Sprouted Tricolor Quinoa," says Poon. "I love that the quinoa is already sprouted and sold for only $2.99 for an 8-ounce bag." Sprouting means that the quinoa is not only more nutrient-dense, but it is also easier to digest.

"Garlic is a known anti-inflammatory food due to its high content of allicin. It's also heart-healthy and useful for reducing blood pressure and cholesterol," Tanya Freirich, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES, says. "These prepped garlics can make cooking meals from semi-scratch easier and faster. Sauté the garlic with onions for a quick, easy, and flavorful addition to any protein, vegetable, or grain dish."

"This seasoning can be added to anything!" Silverman says. "Add it to your favorite veggies, sprinkle it on your eggs, or mix it into a tuna salad for an extra pop of flavor. One of my favorite snacks is fresh summer tomatoes, half of an avocado, and a dash of Everything but the Bagel Seasoning."

"In general, I highly recommend buying veggies pre-zoodled instead of doing it yourself, since when push comes to shove most people won't actually do it themselves," Paul says. "The ones from Trader Joe's taste much better than any fresh types I've tried, they last in the freezer for months (probably years!), and they're versatile." Look for spaghetti squash, zucchini, and carrot spirals in the frozen section.

"I often recommend this seasoning to patients," says Ilana Lichter, MSRD, CDN. "It's a delicious blend of seasoning without the added salt, and it's well-priced. You can sprinkle it on just about anything, from fish to poultry or vegetables."

"Whether eating it straight up or adding it to your favorite vegetables and spicing it, this is a great protein option for everyone, not just vegans," says Lichter. "It tastes great and is well-priced."

"Jicama is hard to find at other grocery stores and even harder to peel and chop," Freirich says. "Eat these crunchy, refreshing sticks with guacamole or top with lime and a bit of chili powder for a spicy snack." According to Freirich, they're low in calories while being a good source of vitamin C and fiber (12 grams), which keeps you feeling full longer.

Trader Joe's also sells Jicama Wraps (thinly sliced pieces of jicama), which are tasty and healthy tortilla alternatives.