These are the Trader Joe’s snacks nutritionists buy for themselves

January 11, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC

Trader Joe’s inspires a kind of unbridled devotion. There are entire Instagram accounts devoted to scouting the newest product launches. My stocking may have been filled with nothing but Everything But The Bagel seasoning this past Christmas. Even my dad, a grump, was delighted by their inexpensive Trader Joe’s snacks when I forced him to take me there during my last trip back home. He bought eight bags of dried fruit that fateful day. I think I converted him.

It can be easy to lose yourself among the array of appealing foods lining the hallowed halls of a Trader Joe’s store. Between the kale gnocchi, dark chocolate almond butter bites, and Cruciferous Crunch, welp, better just buy everything to save time instead of making decisions, right? If only my wallet would allow. Since you already know the best salads to buy at TJ’s and the definitive ranking of all the alt-pastas the retailer sells, let’s talk about Trader Joe’s snacks, baby. I asked three nutritionists to share their favorites.

Nutritionists love these Trader Joe’s snacks

1. JERK STYLE PLANTAIN CHIPS

“These sweet and savory chips provide the perfect combo of fiber, flavor, and crunch to satisfy those midday munchies,” says Whitney English Tabaie, RDN. (Can confirm, these are delicious.)

2. RANCH SEASONED CRISPY CHICKPEAS

“These savory little bites provide a major boost of fiber and plant-protein with the added bonus of tasting like Cool Ranch Doritos,” says Tabaie.

3. JUST A HANDFUL OF ALMONDS

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“They are a great way to literally have a handful of almonds served your favorite way. Almonds are nutrient-dense powerhouses that provide 50 percent daily value for vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and promotes healthy skin and hair, in one serving!” says Maya Feller, RD, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition.

4. ORGANIC SPICY AVOCADO HUMMUS

“Two of your favorite spreads in one tub—what’s not to love? This hummus is loaded with healthy fat, plant protein, and flavor. Spread it on sprouted whole-grain toast or use it to dip your baby carrots for a filling, delicious mid-day snack,” says Tabaie.

5. ORGANIC PERSIAN CUCUMBERS

“My favorite and ‘must buy’ item every time I go to Trader Joe’s is their Organic Persian Cucumbers. Cucumbers are such an easy healthy snack and if you’ve ever taken a meeting with me, visited my home or travelled with me, than you know that hummus, healthy dips with Persian cucumbers and carrots are my favorite go-to snack. Trader Joe’s organic Persian cucumbers are always fresh and crisp, the perfect size and they’re only $3 a package! I literally have my fridge stocked with at least two or three boxes of them whenever I’m in town,” says chef and nutritionist Serena Poon. (These pair well with the aforementioned avocado hummus.)

6. JUST MANGO SLICES

“I love all of Trader Joe’s dried fruit and nut combos,” says Tabaie. “I try to stick to varieties that are low sodium without added sugar. I especially love their dried mango slices.”

Why stop with snacks? Here’s how a dietitian spends $30 at Trader Joe’s:

Now that we’ve all got TJ’s on the brain, these 5 healthy Trader Joe’s sauces will transform basically any meal, and this is the secret to finally (finally!) getting your cauliflower gnocchi crispy.

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Author Allie Flinn | Well and Good
Selected by CWC