I’m a Pilates instructor who has been shopping at Trader Joe’s for 20 years.
I rely on this chain because it allows me to whip up nutritious, budget-friendly meals in no time.
I love buying organic brown rice, cauliflower gnocchi, organic hummus, etc.
I’ve been shopping at Trader Joe’s for the past 20 years. As a full-time Pilates instructor and adjunct university professor, I rely on the retailer for quick, nutritious, budget-friendly meals.
As someone who is lactose intolerant and follows a Mediterranean diet, I know I can find delicious products at this retailer that fit my lifestyle.
Here are my 10 favorite items to buy at Trader Joe’s.
I can’t get enough of Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice.
Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice is ready in just minutes. Daniella Borodin
Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice is flavorful and unlike most other boxed rice I’ve eaten, it arrives frozen and can be cooked in the microwave in minutes.
My post-Pilates recovery meal is a rice and protein combination that comes individually packaged, is tasty and helps me control portion size needs.
I love Trader Joe’s Greek Chickpeas with Parsley and Cumin.
Trader Joe’s Greek Chickpeas with Parsley and Cumin are marinated in soybean oil and lemon. Daniella Borodin
I like to add Trader Joe’s Greek Chickpeas to everything with parsley and cumin, and the canned chickpeas come marinated in a mouthwatering soybean oil and lemon.
I enjoy this dish in a salad or on its own as a side dish with rice or other vegetables.
Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi is a low-calorie pasta alternative.
Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi is delicious cooked in the microwave or baked in the oven. Daniella Borodin
Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi is a delicious, low-calorie pasta alternative that’s perfect for when you’re craving pasta but want something lighter.
I like to heat my gnocchi in the microwave for about 5 minutes or bake it in the oven, and I serve it with Trader Joe’s Marinara Sauce and Parmesan cheese.
I add Trader Joe’s Just Chicken to almost every meal.
Trader Joe’s Just Chicken is one of my favorite products. Daniella Borodin
As stated on the package, Trader Joe’s Just Chicken is ready to eat, just heat it up. In fact, it’s one of my staples because it’s an easy way to get protein into every meal with zero prep time.
The chicken is seasoned plain so you can season it however you like, I add this to almost everything I make.
Trader Joe’s Organic French Baguette reminds me of my favorite snack from Brazil.
Trader Joe’s Organic French Baguettes Taste Fresh Daniella Borodin
Trader Joe’s doesn’t have a bakery, but they do sell organic French bread for $2.
This bread tastes fresh and delicious in turkey sandwiches or served with butter as a side dish.
Trader Joe’s baguettes are so flavorful and remind me of my favorite treat growing up in Brazil: buttered baguette and cafe con leche.
Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce is a great pairing with cauliflower gnocchi.
Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce comes in a 25-ounce jar. Daniella Borodin
Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce comes in a 25-ounce jar, which makes about 4 servings.
The thickness of the sauce makes it perfect for cauliflower gnocchi or zucchini noodles, and I love how the basil adds a freshness to the bottled sauce and brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes.
Trader Joe’s organic hummus is delicious.
Trader Joe’s Organic Hummus pairs well with pita chips and veggies. Daniella Borodin
Trader Joe’s Plain Hummus is anything but plain, and at $3 for an 8-ounce container, it’s a bargain.
The blend of oil and tahini gives this hummus a nice flavor, and I like to eat it with pita chips and veggies.
It will also stay fresh for a while if refrigerated, but it doesn’t last that long in my fridge.
I like to sauté Trader Joe’s organic shredded kale.
Trader Joe’s Organic Shredded Kale is pre-washed. Daniella Borodin
Trader Joe’s Organic Shredded Kale is pre-washed, saving you tons of prep time, and this vegetable provides a balanced amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber to help you meet your daily nutritional goals.
I make it almost every night for dinner as a hot dish sautéed in olive oil.
Trader Joe’s Organic Low Calorie Lemonade is refreshing.
An 8-ounce cup of Trader Joe’s Organic Low Calorie Lemonade contains 40 calories. Daniella Borodin
There’s nothing more refreshing than a glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.
But I enjoy Trader Joe’s Organic Low Calorie Lemonade year-round because it’s so delicious, and an 8-ounce cup contains only 40 calories.
Trader Joe’s Spanakopita tastes just like an authentic Greek spinach pie.
Trader Joe’s Spanakopita is stuffed with spinach, ricotta, and feta cheese. Daniella Borodin
Trader Joe’s Spanakopita is stuffed with spinach, ricotta, and feta cheese, and is the closest thing to an authentic Greek spinach pie you’ll get from a regular grocery store.
The 12 triangles in the package make a great appetizer that all your vegetarian friends will love, and they taste so freshly baked they’ll almost think it’s homemade.
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