I’m a dietitian who hates meal planning. Here are 12 things I buy at Trader Joe’s to make feeding my family easier.

As a dietitian and parent, my priority is getting nourishing meals on the table for my family, fast.

Trader Joe’s has been my go-to grocery store for nearly 20 years — and now, as a mom to two toddlers, I rely on it even more. The smaller store layout and limited options make it easier to shop without a set plan.

I’m not a fan of prepping meals, either, so Trader Joe’s frozen sides, preseasoned proteins, and ready-to-go snacks really come in handy after a long day.

Here are a few things you can regularly find in my shopping cart.

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Trader Joe’s spinach and ricotta raviolini can be ready in minutes.

These are a lifesaver on busy nights — once the tiny spinach-and-ricotta-filled ravioli are in boiling water, they need just a few minutes to cook.

I toss them with butter and salt or pesto, add fruit on the side, and dinner’s done. I appreciate that the raviolini contain 7 grams of protein per one-cup serving — and get my kids to eat some spinach.

At $3.50 per 10-ounce pack, these are a budget-friendly meal, too.

The pollo asado works well in tacos, quesadillas, rice bowls, soups, salads, and more.

With minimal meal planning, I don’t budget time to marinate meat, so preseasoned proteins like this are convenient staples.

Trader Joe’s pollo asado is seasoned with paprika, garlic, onion, lemon juice, and peppers. I throw it in my Instant Pot for 20 minutes (so I can get other things done while it cooks) or grill it for five.

The chicken also freezes well, so I always keep one pack on hand for busy weeks.

The chain’s frozen precooked rice is a mealtime hero in my house.

Yes, I have a rice cooker — but some days I need rice ready now.

My kids don’t always want the carbs I prepare, so having rice that can be on the table within three minutes is good for my sanity.

Trader Joe’s offers jasmine, brown rice, and mixed-grain varieties in the frozen aisle — all are great for building up quick dinners or rounding out leftovers.

I love the microwaveable asparagus from Trader Joe’s.

Vegetables usually take the longest for me to prep and cook — and after a full day, I often don’t have the time or energy to do it.

So, I love Trader Joe’s microwavable asparagus, which steams right in its container for a few minutes. I pair the asparagus with salmon and rice for a simple, heart-healthy meal.

Organic sprouted tofu is the perfect nut- and meat-free protein for lunches.

Since my kids aren’t big on sandwiches, I cut and microwave bite-sized pieces of sprouted tofu for them as an easy protein option for lunch.

For an easy dinner, I’ll sauté the tofu with garlic and soy sauce. It’s a solid choice for the whole family, with 9 grams of protein per serving.

The broccoli and kale slaw salad kit is a top pick when I’m pressed for time.

I don’t enjoy making salads from scratch, but salad kits from Trader Joe’s come together easily.

I like the broccoli and kale slaw option — with crunchy greens, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and a creamy dressing, it pairs perfectly with leftover salmon or chicken for a quick, balanced meal.

Plus, at only $3.49 per bag, it’s a lot more budget-friendly than ordering takeout.

The grilled chimichurri chicken thigh skewers are flavorful and ready in minutes.

These frozen, fully-cooked skewers can be heated up with a grill, oven, or microwave.

I serve the chicken thighs with a salad kit or microwaveable veggies and rice for a fast, complete dinner with minimal cleanup (always a perk).

I rely on many of Trader Joe’s frozen meals for my lunches.

While I make my kids’ lunches daily, I often forget mine. That’s why I stock up on Trader Joe’s frozen meals. My favorite is the channa masala — chickpeas stewed in a flavorful onion-y tomato sauce.

Each two-serving container has 12 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber, takes minutes to heat, and keeps me full for the afternoon.

Some of the frozen meals come in handy for dinner — like the shiitake-mushroom chicken.

Many of Trader Joe’s frozen meals in a bag are an easy, affordable way to enjoy a dinner that tastes home-cooked but requires minimal prep.

When the kids have leftovers and the adults still need dinner, I reach for the shiitake-mushroom chicken with edamame and green beans in a ginger soy sauce.

It cooks in one pan, can be served on its own or with rice, and packs 20 grams of protein per cup — all for under $5.

Red-lentil sedanini is a great pantry staple for no-fuss, balanced meals.

With 15 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber per serving, this lentil pasta is filling enough to enjoy on its own with no extra protein needed.

I pair it with a sauce and veggies for a straightforward meal.

Icelandic-style skyr is a thick, creamy, and satisfying high-protein yogurt.

I keep a few in the fridge for a grab-and-go breakfast, snack, or even a last-minute dinner.

Each single-serving container has about 15 grams of protein with only 5 grams of added sugar — less than what I’ve found in similar yogurts. At $1.19, it’s quite affordable too.

The freeze-dried mango tastes like candy but is 100% fruit.

If I don’t have time to pack fruit before heading out, I grab a bag of Trader Joe’s unsweetened freeze-dried mango.

The pieces are just fruit, making them a sweet, satisfying snack for both kids and adults. Plus, they’re not a bad way to get extra fiber with about 2 grams per serving.

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