After struggling with and overcoming disordered eating, I decided to pursue a career to help others form healthy habits. Now, I’m a registered dietitian and intuitive-eating counselor who works with clients to heal their relationships with food.
Intuitive eating is a non-diet approach that can help people reconnect with their body’s natural hunger and fullness cues through 10 core principles, such as making peace with food.
In addition to being a dietitian, I’m also a former Trader Joe’s employee. I shop at the retailer at least once a week and often recommend the store to clients looking for a less overwhelming and more playful shopping experience.
I recently went to Trader Joe’s to stock up on some of my favorite quick meals and snacks. Here are eight things I’d recommend grabbing from the retailer right now.
Trader Joe’s organic tomato-and-roasted-red-pepper soup is a great, easy meal.
This slightly sweet soup tastes like a bowl of comfort, especially alongside a hearty, buttery grilled-cheese sandwich. Sometimes, I’ll incorporate sautéed spinach, red-pepper flakes, and feta cheese to add more nutrients and interest to the soup.
As a dietitian, I teach my clients the importance of having easy meals on hand. Not everything they make has to be an elaborate, time-intensive recipe.
At the end of the day, feeding yourself is most important, which is why this classic soup is a staple in my easy weeknight-meal rotation.
When I need an easy breakfast, I grab whole-grain waffles.
Having plenty of easy breakfast options is key for me when I’m pressed for time in the morning. Lately, I’ve been keeping these whole-grain waffles stocked in the freezer as a delicious source of carbs and fiber.
Waffles are great with the classic butter-and-maple-syrup combo, but when I’m looking for a meal to keep me fuller for longer, I’ll add a scoop of full-fat Greek yogurt and fruit.
The scallion pancakes are delicious with eggs and soy sauce.
When I’m sick of my usual breakfast items — waffles, cereal, eggs, and bagels — I love switching things up with these scallion pancakes. They’re easy to make in a pan or a toaster.
I typically add an egg, fried with soy sauce and fresh scallions, for a source of protein. If I want a heartier variation of this breakfast, I’ll dip the savory pancake in rich, cold sour cream for a satisfying contrast.
For an extra flavor blast, I like to top the eggs-and-scallion-pancake combo with Trader Joe’s crunchy chili-onion topping.
I use Trader Joe’s coconut milk to thicken soups and curries.
In the colder months, I desire more warm, hearty stews, soups, and curries. As an intuitive eater, I recognize that my body’s cravings shift with the seasons.
I always have these cans of Trader Joe’s coconut milk on hand because they add the perfect creamy depth to my dishes. Recently, I’ve used this product in homemade ramen, chickpea stew, vegetable curry, and Thai chicken-meatball soup.
When I want something sweet, I grab the chocolate-almond biscotti.
As an intuitive-eating dietitian, I often talk about taking dessert food off a pedestal. When we make certain foods, like sweets, off limits, it only increases our desire to have them.
And when we do eat them, it’s common to experience the Last-Supper mentality — feeling like you need to gorge yourself on the food before you lose your chance.
Having desserts, like these biscotti, in my home at all times helps me avoid the feeling of deprivation on my dieting days. I love dipping these chocolate-coated treats in mint tea for a satisfying contrast of sweet and bitter flavors.
I use Trader Joe’s cornbread mix to make a simple side for chili.
When the weather starts cooling off, I crave hearty, warm dishes like chili, and cornbread is one of my favorite sides for this savory dish.
Plus, I love that the cornbread adds carbohydrates, a necessary component to create a satisfying and optimized meal. This cornbread mix has been my go-to for years.
All you need is milk, eggs, and oil. Why reinvent the wheel by making cornbread from scratch when this mix exists?
I love how easy it is to grab Trader Joe’s frosted shredded bite-size wheats in the morning.
Lately, I’ve been having a bowl of frosted bite-size wheats with milk and a banana or berries for a quick breakfast on busy mornings. I love that this meal requires no cook time or cleanup but still keeps me full and satisfied.
The cereal’s wheat is a great fiber source, and the milk provides protein and fat. If you use low-fat milk, I’d recommend adding nut butter, nuts, or flax or hemp seeds to ensure the meal is filling.
The spicy tempura seaweed snacks are tasty in spring rolls or on top of salads.
A friend recently introduced me to this unique umami-flavored snack, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
This tempura seaweed snack is delicious on its own, but I’ve also enjoyed crunching the squares up on top of a salad or inside homemade spring rolls for an added depth of texture and flavor.
When I was in my dieting days, I would’ve feared eating something like this processed snack, which has been changed from its original form and has flavor additives. Now, I don’t stress over eating processed foods, as some of these items can still be a part of a healthy diet.
Click to keep reading Trader Joe’s diaries like this one.
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