Is EVERYTHING at Trader Joe's good to go?

Jodi&Joe · February 2010

Like, let's say I do all my food shopping there from now on --- is it all good?

And if so, YIPPEE FUCKINGSKIPPY!!!!!!!!!!! That would be SO easy!

Of course, moderation....I get that. And portion control. But hell, if I can eliminate one variable (you know, the WHAT IS GOOD/WHAT ISN'T?!) I think this would be SOOOOOOOO much easier!

Please answer yes. YES!
(BTW, we have a Whole Foods about 30 minutes from us as well that I could use if you guys say that is even better).

newwifey · February 2010

Imho, no, there is plenty there that is processed crap, even if it is less bad.

AnnapolisLari · February 2010

Trader Joe's definitely makes life easier. I think they agressively avoid additives and preservatives. But it's not necessarily less processed. Organic instant mac and cheese is still instant mac and cheese, kwim?

Whole Foods is OK, but there's a reason they call the store "Whole Paycheck". I only go there if it's for something very specific.

meghans30 · February 2010

I wouldn't say EVERYTHING, they do sell their brand of crap food and watch some of the sodium content. I'd apply the same rules you would at a regular grocery store. Sorry Jodi

femmegem · February 2010

I think shopping at TJs is a great start, and you need to make baby steps, so start with that. But in time you can weed out some of the more processed foods that they have there (and, of course, they do have them). It's just nice to know that we can buy anything from there and not have to worry about HFCS or MSG at all.

gracendantho26 · February 2010

You still have to watch portion control and fat content but you won't run into HFCS or anything like that shopping there.

This is their guarantee on their website:

The Trader Joe?s logo assures that the product it adorns contains only the finest quality, natural ingredients - that means NO artificial flavors, colors or preservatives; NO genetically modified ingredients; NO MSG; and NO added Trans Fats. That's quite a name, if we do say so ourselves.

here is a link to search different catergories https://www.traderjoes.com/static/lists.html

Goose51504 · February 2010

Ditto what everyone else said. TJ's has a decent selection of stuff w/out the added crap, but they still have processed foods. Don't be fooled.

Seriously, you can get exactly what you and the kids need by only shopping the perimeter of the regular grocery store (and it doesn't have to a Whole Foods, either). It's a PITA to get your list and routine together, but after you're familiar with where things are and what you *really* do need (and can do with it), shopping (more) healthy is a breeze.

Good luck!!

gracendantho26 · February 2010

I also wanted to add that it makes it super easy for me personally because they identify vegetarian products and have a wider selection of vegetarian options.

I was just in Whole Paycheck last weekend and was reminded why I stopped going there.

gracendantho26 · February 2010

Oh and it might help in the sense that you can't be tempted by some of the less healthy foods sold in a traditional chain grocery store. So it might actually be the change you need to replace bad habits with good ones. Take yourself out of known territory and start new.

praline · February 2010

Well, nothing has HFCS and generally they use healthier ingredients, but they have lots of sweets and snacks. No matter where you shop you are going to have to use common sense and buy what's most important first...produce, meat, lean dairy.

There is no magic bullet.

KittyKatBrat · February 2010

We don't have a whole foods here. What is it and I'm guessing its called Whole Paycheck because its expensive?

Give me an example of something vs regular grocery store. I'm just curious.

Hooray2005 · February 2010

AnnapolisLari:
Trader Joe's definitely makes life easier. I think they agressively avoid additives and preservatives. But it's not necessarily less processed. Organic instant mac and cheese is still instant mac and cheese, kwim?

Whole Foods is OK, but there's a reason they call the store "Whole Paycheck". I only go there if it's for something very specific.

LOL - Lari - I actually recognize almost all the ingredients in their instant mac and cheese: organic wheat macaroni [note: it's not whole wheat, though, which would be much better], cheddar cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes), whey, buttermilk, cream, salt, corn starch, sodium phosphate <-- that's the only thing I don't recognize

That said, Jodi, a single serving size has 230 calories (including 4 g of fat, 2.5 saturated - 16% of an ADULT daily allowance, so a lot higher for kiddos). So yeah, it's a step in the right direction, but still need to be careful shopping there b/c everything isn't "healthy" But it's a start!

wellfleet04 · February 2010

Not really. A cookie is still a cookie, doesn't matter THAT much if it doesn't have HFCS or transfat. You can buy all the stuff you need at a local grocery store. Processsed foods at TJ's are better, but they are still not what should make up the majority of your diet. Changing the type of cookies you eat is not what you need to do here. You need to change the type of staple items you eat. And that can be accomplished at any store.

Glendi2.0 · February 2010

gracendantho26:
Oh and it might help in the sense that you can't be tempted by some of the less healthy foods sold in a traditional chain grocery store. So it might actually be the change you need to replace bad habits with good ones. Take yourself out of known territory and start new.

This is a huge added bonus of shopping at TJ's... I've unconsciously eliminated so much junky garbage from my shopping list, simply because it's not available at Trader Joe's, and I've basically forgotten about it.

I was NEVER conscious of health and diet, so changing my habits has been a slow process... Shopping stores like Trader Joe's is a GREAT way to get started down the path of change.

Good luck... this kind of change can totally feel overwhelming, but if you do nothing other than switch to organic mac-n-cheese this week, be proud of that one positive step you've made in the right direction!!

heyitsme · February 2010

Yeah, you still have to watch some stuff at TJ's. The other day DH bought a sausage and mushroom calzone from the frozen section for lunch. He brought it home, cooked it, and ate it... later I got saw the box and looked and one calzone was supposed to be for 2 people...and it was like 700 calories with something like 20g of fat! Yeah, lesson learned for DH--not everything at TJ's is healthy.

But there are things--like their version of rice krispie treats--which are more healthy and do work as good substitutes when making the transition from other brands, more sugary alternatives, etc.

meghans30 · February 2010

heyitsme:

Yeah, you still have to watch some stuff at TJ's. The other day DH bought a sausage and mushroom calzone from the frozen section for lunch. He brought it home, cooked it, and ate it... later I got saw the box and looked and one calzone was supposed to be for 2 people...and it was like 700 calories with something like 20g of fat! Yeah, lesson learned for DH--not everything at TJ's is healthy.

But there are things--like their version of rice krispie treats--which are more healthy and do work as good substitutes when making the transition from other brands, more sugary alternatives, etc.

Wow! 700 calories per serving?

AnnapolisLari · February 2010

Hooray, dearest, I didn't say that the TJs mac and cheese wasn't in my cabinet as we speak. Stick out tongue There are 2 boxes in there, and my kids generally split one for lunch. Not the best for them, but also not the worst.

I still read labels at TJs, but less stringently than at other stores.

femmegem · February 2010

Lari, DS has the same PJs as yours is wearing in your sig pic. And he LOVES TJ's mac and cheese.

AnnapolisLari · February 2010

We love Carter's footie jammies around here, in case you couldn't tell from my sig pic.

I usually make one packet for lunch and mix in a chopped up hot dog and some edamame or peas. One dish lunch and they will eat it. Better than the trashy snacks that ds really wants.

shouldbworkin · February 2010

No! But, plenty of their stuff is good. Organic, low sugar, etc. But, they have plenty of yummy junk too. Just like any store.

Hooray2005 · February 2010

AnnapolisLari:
Hooray, dearest, I didn't say that the TJs mac and cheese wasn't in my cabinet as we speak. There are 2 boxes in there, and my kids generally split one for lunch. Not the best for them, but also not the worst.

I still read labels at TJs, but less stringently than at other stores.

Aggh.. this is what I hate about message boards - sometimes the humor doesn't come through - sigh... LOL - I was actually SHOCKED that I did, in fact, recognize the ingredients (and was pleasantly surprised that I hadn't been cramming total crap down my child's throat. Haa haa! I had assumed it was worse than it really was, and was surprised that for instant mac and cheese, I could actually feel a little better about it

My child would turn in to mac and cheese if I let him (and thank goodness for TJ's!)

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