I get all my Mediterranean-diet staples at Trader Joe's.Lauren Manaker
- I've been a dietitian for over 20 years and follow the Mediterranean diet, but I don't love cooking.
- Precooked hard-boiled eggs, bulgar, and frozen pizza from Trader Joe's make my life easier.
When I tell people I've been a registered dietitian for over 20 years, the assumption is that I love to eat nutritious foods and cook them myself.
I try to eat balanced and nutrient-dense meals that follow the Mediterranean diet, but I don't enjoy spending time planning, cooking, and cleaning. Thankfully, Trader Joe's has some gems that help me feed my entire family (including a picky 8-year-old daughter).
Here are 15 of my must-buys to help create healthy and easy meals without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Envy apples seem to stay fresh longer.
I don't usually have any issues when I preslice Envy apples for lunches. Lauren Manaker
Envy apples can be added to salads, "girl dinners," or lunchboxes for an extra crunch, a boost of fiber, and balanced sweetness.
They're appealing because their flesh tends to stay whiter longer, allowing for slicing or chopping without worrying too much about being stuck with discolored fruit.
Clif Bars are my go-to for a boost of energy.
I like Clif's crunchy-peanut-butter flavor. Lauren Manaker
Not loving to cook also means not loving to prep snacks. But because I live an active lifestyle, I know I need to fuel myself with nutrients like sustainable carbs before I start a workout.
Clif Bars are crafted with a blend of plant-based protein, fat, and carbohydrates and made with organic ingredients like rolled oats. They're my go-to pre-workout snack that requires zero effort in the kitchen.
I buy Norwegian farm-raised salmon for a kick of healthy fats and protein.
Trader Joe's salmon is pretty affordable at about $10. Lauren Manaker
Salmon from Norway is known for its pure taste, beautiful color, and firm flesh. Much of that is due to its balanced fat content and firm texture.
It's also nutrient-dense, providing essentials like omega 3; vitamins D, B12, and A; and selenium. Plus, it's incredibly easy to cook, especially if I remember to marinate it the night before.
The vegan kale, cashew, and basil pesto tastes good on almost everything.
I'm not vegan, but I like Trader Joe's vegan dip and sauce options. Lauren Manaker
Pineapple salsa is my secret slow-cooker ingredient.
I like to dump a jar of pineapple salsa in with some chicken. Lauren Manaker
When I know my evening is going to be too hectic to cook, I throw chicken breasts, sliced onion, frozen mango chunks, and a jar of pineapple salsa in my slow cooker.
I let everything simmer together for hours, and once the chicken is cooked, I shred it with two forks. Then I serve it over whole-grain rice, in a tortilla, or over a salad.
Raw pistachio nutmeats are a complete plant-based protein source.
I find many uses for the shelled pistachios. Lauren Manaker
I throw the nuts on top of my salads and yogurt bowls for extra protein, fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants without having to spend any time shelling.
Whenever I get a desire to cook an impressive meal (which doesn't happen often), I like using crushed pistachios as a coating for fish or chicken instead of bread crumbs.
Trader Joe's fruit and greens smoothie blend makes morning smoothies a breeze.
I like that I don't have to chop up the fruits and veggies myself. Lauren Manaker
The blend of frozen produce makes my smoothie-making so easy.
There's no chopping or prepping required when I'm in the mood for a breakfast smoothie — I simply toss some into a blender, add milk, and turn it on.
Vegan creamy dill dressing elevates a slew of dishes.
I use the dill dressing on salads and as a sauce for other meals. Lauren Manaker
If it were socially acceptable to drink Trader Joe's vegan creamy dill dressing with a straw, I'd do it. I love that it's free from fillers or emulsifiers, and the flavor is incredibly satisfying.
The obvious way to enjoy this dressing is on top of salad. But I also use it as a saucy addition to chicken or fish meals, an ingredient in grain-based dishes, and a condiment on sandwiches.
Trader Joe's chicken Drummellas make my 8-year-old very happy.
I like to bake the chicken Drummellas from Trader Joe's. Lauren Manaker
If my 8-year-old could eat chicken nuggets every day of the week, she would. There's nothing wrong with a fast-food treat once in a while, but frequent consumption of deep-fried food isn't the best practice.
Trader Joe's Drummellas can be baked instead of fried, and they're made with real white-meat chicken.
I mostly use these as a kid-friendly protein choice, but I'll occasionally add them to my salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes, too.
The organic Mediterranean-style salad kit helps us eat more veggies.
Having a salad kit in my fridge makes it easier for me to get veggies on the table. Lauren Manaker
Making a salad isn't extremely labor-intensive. But opening a salad kit and dumping all of the contents into a bowl is so much easier than procuring ingredients and coming up with the perfect flavor combo.
Trader Joe's Mediterranean salad kit is packed with veggies and a corresponding dressing packet. I love pairing it with protein and starch for a balanced and healthy meal.
The bulgur pilaf with butternut squash and feta cheese is an easy side dish.
Trader Joe's has some nice flavor combinations in the freezer aisle. Lauren Manaker
Whole grains are both nutritious and filling. But for those who don't like spending too much time in the kitchen, cooking them can be a tedious task.
Precooked frozen grains, like Trader Joe's bulgur pilaf, help save a ton of time because they just need to be heated through. Plus, this one is made with butternut squash, and I like the boost of veggies in every bite.
Asparagus sauté makes eating veggies so much more delicious.
Trader Joe's sells a few preprepared sauté kits. Lauren Manaker
Veggies are a must at dinnertime in my house. Having prewashed and cut veggie kits, like Trader Joe's asparagus sauté, makes cooking dinner a breeze.
Simply open the package and sauté everything in some extra-virgin olive oil.
Riced cauliflower stir-fry is a great base for a low-carb meal.
I think anyone could enjoy Trader Joe's riced cauliflower. Lauren Manaker
The precooked cauliflower fried rice is a perfect base for a low-carb meal. I just add a protein for a complete dish.
For people who don't love cauliflower rice — but tolerate it because they want to include more veggies in their diet (like my husband) — mixing this dish with some regular rice can offer the best of both worlds.
Hard-boiled eggs are a secret shortcut in my kitchen.
Having the eggs precooked and peeled is a huge time-saver. Lauren Manaker
Precooked and shelled hard-boiled eggs make for an easy breakfast protein, salad topping, or sandwich addition.
Trader Joe's Tarte au Brie et aux Tomates is my solution for pizza night.
I love the flavors in Trader Joe's Tarte au Brie. Lauren Manaker
Yes, even dietitians like to have pizza night once in a while.
Trader Joe's frozen Tarte au Brie et aux Tomates satisfies the fiercest pizza craving. Plus, heating it up takes less time than we'd spend waiting for a pie to be delivered from the local pizzeria.
I enjoy one serving along with a side salad for a full meal.
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