I lost 40 pounds. Here are 12 Trader Joe's products that helped me lose the weight and keep it off.

When I started my weight-loss journey, I found that the easiest way to stay on track was by finding foods that were similar to what I was used to eating. Switching to these alternatives was much better than an elimination diet for me because I never felt deprived of my cravings.

For example, instead of starting my day with sugary cereal or granola, I opt for Trader Joe's oatmeal cups with chia seeds.

The chia seeds keep me full, and the cups never get boring because I can top them with different things every day. My favorite toppings are cacao nibs, bananas, and peanut butter.

If you're a bagel-and-cream cheese person, this is a great swap.

Miyokos cream cheese is organic and made from cashews and other wholesome ingredients.

It has a creamy texture, and after trying many different brands of vegan cream cheese, this one is by far the best alternative.

Any afternoon that I find myself with a sweet tooth, I reach for trail mix, like the trek mix from Trader Joe's.

It helps curb those cravings and gives me some extra protein.

The store also has a version with chocolate sprinkled in if that's what you're craving.

If my sweet-tooth cravings linger throughout the afternoon, dried mango is my next go-to.

It's naturally so sweet, and it has a great chewy texture that really makes me feel like I'm eating gummy candy.

The best swaps are the ones that are closest to the original craving, so Trader Joe's kettle-cooked potato chips were easy to incorporate into my diet.

They're made with only three ingredients — potatoes, olive oil, and salt — so I know I'm not eating a bunch of chemicals and preservatives.

If you love spicy chips or cheese puffs, Trader Joe's jalapeño-seasoned corn-and-rice puffs are an amazing swap.

They're so delicious, so they hit the spot for a spicy treat, and the ingredients are also pretty wholesome.

If you're always craving a fizzy drink, you have to try the store's seltzer waters.

Trader Joe's hit it out of the park with these. They're made with real fruit juice, not artificial flavoring, and they're organic.

Plus, there are three flavor combinations: lemon and ginger, cranberry and lime, and blood orange and orange.

I love keeping Trader Joe's vegetable burritos in the freezer and popping them in the toaster oven anytime I get a craving for the fast-food variety.

I usually eat them over a bed of lettuce or spinach and smother them in hot sauce.

My weight-loss journey was less about cutting out foods that aren't traditionally "diet-friendly" and more about finding things I love with wholesome ingredients.

Any time I get a pizza craving, my go-to is Trader Joe's organic three-cheese in the freezer aisle.

It hits the spot, and best of all, I can add any ingredients I want. I love topping it with whatever veggies I have on hand, like mushrooms, onions, or peppers.

If you can't have cheese or are taking a break from dairy, Trader Joe's sells plain Monteli pizza crusts that I like to use to build my own pies.

When I get a craving for fried rice from a fast-food chain or takeout restaurant, making my own with Trader Joe's brown-rice pouches is a great alternative.

I can throw the bag in a skillet with some peas, carrots, bouillon, and a scrambled egg for a quick and simple meal.

The product is also just a versatile freezer staple that I can pop in the microwave to pair with a number of meals.

Pasta isn't junk food, but restaurant portions covered in thick sauces can be a lot.

Trader Joe's organic red-lentil pasta is made from one ingredient, red lentils, which I love. It's also gluten-free.

I could eat pasta every day, so this is a great alternative when I'm looking to switch it up and add a little more protein to the meal.

I love eating it with red meat sauce and basil.

But keep in mind, none of these foods are "good" or "bad," they're just what helped me lose weight. I'm not a medical expert, and always consult your doctor before changing your diet.