How to Shop at Trader Joe's for Healthy and Gourmet Foods

Trader Joe's is cheaper than most urban supermarkets.

Rate: (2 Ratings)

If you're in the U.S. and you find yourself on the West Coast, on the East Coast, or in some of the Midwestern states, Trader Joe's, otherwise known as TJ's, will soon become a familiar name to you, if it isn't already. A trendy grocery store where the clerks are friendly, the customers are sharp, the selection is limited but well-chosen, and the prices reasonable, Trader Joe's is the place to shop for healthy and gourmet food on a budget. Here's the way to get the most out of grocery shopping at Trader Joe's.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Cash, credit card, debit card, or check
Love of gourmet food
Love of healthy food
proximity to Trader Joe's

Step 1

Go to Trader Joe's right when it opens if you're in a hurry, which at most locations is at 9:00 A.M. Within a couple of hours, hoards of customers will be moving through the store buying food and you might have to wait in line at checkout for some time--although the wait is never very long, and not as bad as at many supermarkets, since the stores tend to employ enough willing staff to handle crowds. Avoid going there on weekends or after 5:00 P.M. if possible, because those are the peak times. On the other hand, if your ambition is to meet Ms. or Mr. Right while shopping for wild Alaskan salmon at Trader Joe's, by all means go to Trader Joe's when it's completely and utterly packed.
Step 2

Select food products that are unique to Trader Joe's, hard to get anywhere else, or just look interesting. You'll rarely be disappointed. Gourmet foods and healthy foods that nobody else carries, many carrying the Trader Joe's brand, abound on the shelves. (No, they're not paying me to say this! I used to live two blocks from a Trader Joe's, in the University District of Seattle, shopped there all the time, and only rarely had to take food back.)
Step 3

Buy dairy products at Trader Joe's. Dairy is getting prohibitively expensive most places, but you can still find relatively low prices on artisan cheeses, cultured butter, milk, and yogurt by shopping at Trader Joe's. If you're seeking cheeses and butter from 100% grass-fed cows, which provide a good amount of the healthful omega-3 fatty acids, Trader Joe's has many Irish Kerrygold products and other imported European cheeses that fill the bill.
Step 4

Buy healthy foods at Trader Joe's. Their selection of extra virgin olive oil is spectacular, and sells for a great price, and the taste is always fresh, fruity, and deep. Trader Joe's has many gluten-free products, including a large selection of dried brown rice pasta that sells for about two dollars a pound at this writing and is delicious. Vegetarian food, organic and conventional fresh produce, 100% pure maple syrup, wild Alaskan sockeye salmon, 100% grass-fed beef, nitrate-free hot dogs, whole grain breads, and many other foods abound at Trader Joe's.
Step 5

Select gourmet foods and comfort foods in the frozen section of Trader Joe's. You'll rarely be disappointed. Vanilla ice cream that rivals Ben & Jerry's and Haagen Dazs, pasta alfredo, coconut sorbet, cream puffs, turkey pot pie made with real butter, shepherd's pie, Asian meals, and other unusuaTJl frozen meals and desserts are always a delight and a surprise.
Step 6

Trader Joe's is usually open 9:00am-9:00pm

Choose from several delicious chocolates and gourmet confections at Trader Joe's. If you like dark chocolate, TJ's is the place to go--or maybe it's the place to steer clear of; it depends on whether your mission is to avoid or pounce on chocolate. Aside from some primo gourmet brands, there are inexpensive one-pound blocks for the true chocolate addict.
Step 7

Buy eggs and rice milk at Trader Joe's. These are two healthy foods that can be costly most supermarkets, but remain reasonable at TJ's. And their selection of both eggs and non-dairy milks is truly grand. Organic eggs, omega-3 enhanced eggs, plain old regular everyday eggs, fertile eggs, free-roaming eggs that wander all over the pasture in eggalitarian delight...soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, and others in several brands are readily available.
Step 8

Try to resist buying beverages at Trader Joe's, because you'll soon become addicted. If, however, the budget allows, buy gourmet sodas at Trader Joes. Their bottled root beer and ginger ale are out of this world. And you can find every kind of water there is, at relatively low prices. Their wine selection is fantastic, too, for the price--some of the best ruby and tawny port I ever tasted I bought for $6.99 at Trader Joe's.

Comments

WriterGig said

Flag This Comment

on 11/8/2008 Fun! TJ's is my favorite grocery store.

jpwriter said

on 11/8/2008 I love Trader Joe's. It is one of my favorite stores and I often find it to be cheaper than the other grocery stores. It is healthier and for many things, at least what I buy, cheaper by usually $1 or more.