I'm a dietitian. Here are my 12 favorite things to buy at Trader Joe's for quick, easy meals.

I love having warm pasta on nights when I'm too tired to make big meals so Trader Joe's spinach tortellini is the perfect fix, ready in just two to three minutes.

A one-cup serving is a good source of protein, fiber, and iron and only has 230 milligrams of sodium. Add some roasted vegetables on top for a little extra fiber and flavor and this is the perfect lazy-day meal.

Trader Joe's shrimp patties are a super easy way to spice up a classic burger. I like to bake my shrimp burgers but you also have the option to grill or pan-fry them.

The burgers have a pretty short ingredient list and contain only 210 milligrams of sodium, leaving room for tons of toppings and condiments. I like to pair a patty with tomato and lettuce on top of a whole-wheat bun for some extra fiber.

Combat the urge to skip breakfast with Trader Joe's frozen blueberry waffles. The waffles are an easy grab-and-go option on mornings when it feels like it's too much effort to cook.

With a relatively low amount of added sugars and whey protein added to the mix, I think Trader Joe's waffles are a great way to start the day. I like adding some peanut butter and chopped-up fruit for extra protein and fiber so I'm energized the whole morning.

Fully cooked and frozen foods are always the easiest to have on hand and Trader Joe's Italian-style meatballs are no exception. They're fully cooked so they're even microwave friendly for those who don't have an oven or stovetop.

Of course, the Italian-style meatballs are perfect to add protein to pasta dishes but I also like to use them for sandwiches and soups.

Though Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi has had its reign, I also want to give the sweet-potato version some time to shine. Trader Joe's sweet-potato variation has tons of flavor and tastes similar to traditional gnocchi.

I like to cook the sweet-potato gnocchi on the stovetop with some precooked sausage and vegetables for an easy one-pan meal.

TV-style dinners will always be a comforting, quick fix and Trader Joe's has tons to offer. I love the Cuban-style bowl because of its balance of carbs and protein and its great flavor.

Frozen dinners with thick sauces or big seasoning packets are typically going to be high in sodium, fat, or both. I'll sometimes cook extra pasta or rice and mix it into the bowl to distribute the sodium or fat.

This way, the sauce and seasonings still coat the ingredients and I can have extra portions with cut-down sodium and fat content.

I love to keep Trader Joe's marinated chicken in my fridge for quick dinners. Having an already-prepped chicken saves me some time and energy for lazy-day meals.

I typically pop Trader Joe's spatchcocked lemon-rosemary chicken in the oven with some potatoes and zucchini for a balanced meal of protein, starch, and vegetables on one tray.

One of the most time-consuming parts of cooking is the preparation, so I love keeping precut vegetables on hand to make meals feel a lot less labor-intensive.

Trader Joe's mirepoix is a basic combo of celery, carrots, and onions that are perfect to add to soups, stews, sautées, or sauces.

Pre-spiraled zucchini noodles are a must-have to add extra nutrients, texture, and flavor to any pasta dish. The pre-spiraled shape helps the zoodles effortlessly intertwine with regular noodles.

I like to add some sauce on top and pair them with Trader Joe's Italian-style meatballs for a quick, balanced meal.

Sometimes making a meal that reminds you of packing a school lunch is just what you need.

I usually keep Trader Joe's oven-roasted chicken-breast slices as a base for a refreshing sandwich. Add them on top of whole-wheat bread with some lettuce, tomato, and cheese for a simple, no-cook lunch.

They're also great to have on hand as a snack rolled up with cheese and paired with fruit.

Fiber- and protein-rich lentils are a great ingredient to base any meal around. Trader Joe's steamed lentils have just a bit of seasoning so they're not overloaded with sodium and can be enjoyed hot or cold.

I love using them for a classic lentil soup but you can also add them to salads or wraps.

When I buy premade salads, I always make sure there's some protein source so I know I won't be looking for food an hour after I eat it.

Between the feta, chickpeas, flatbread, and tomatoes, Trader Joe's Mediterranean-style salad has a good balance of ingredients that keeps me satisfied.

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