Whole30 Shopping Guide: Trader Joe's!

This post has been on my to-do list for a long time.  I love taking the guesswork out of shopping for you guys- especially during a Whole30, which is overwhelming enough!

And while it's so, so important to learn to read your labels (for Whole30 and for life), I know there are those days when you just need to get in and out of the store and on with your day!

Hope this list helps you fill your grocery list with some Whole30 compliant finds.  Whether you're completing a round, or just looking for Paleo-friendly, healthy options- these are all squeaky clean and an excellent option to toss in your cart!

For easy reference, I have many of these items saved in an Instagram highlight at instagram.com/justjessieb.  However, this blog post is where I'll continue to update as I find new things to share!

*Note:  Always double check the ingredients just in case.  I have heard from some who say their sausage has sugar- while mine here on the West coast doesn't- and that's just one example.  So double check when in doubt!  Also- there are MORE options in TJ's than what's listed here.  I'll update as I find more worth sharing!  :)

TO PRINT:  find the "print" button located below my signature at the bottom of this post.  You can choose to exclude things like my rambling up top, and photos too- super easy to print just the list of items to take along shopping!

PRODUCE

There are so many options in the produce section!  It's where we do the majority of our shopping for Whole30 since almost all of our meats come from our monthly ButcherBox.  Stay away from the corn and look out for those dressings near the salad greens.  Otherwise, you can find SO many things here!  A few to note:

• Gold Potatoes
• Onions
• Bell Peppers
• Cucumbers
• Baby Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Broccoli
• Avocadoes
• Apples
• Berries
• Bagged Greens & Mixes:
• Baby Spinach
• Power Greens Mix
• Chopped Kale
• Shredded Cabbage with Carrots
• Cruciferous Crnch
• Broccoli Slaw
• Butternut Squash (the zig zags make for a fun & easy side)
• Mirepoix (pre-cut celery, carrots, & onion- perfect for soups!)

BARS

There are a few compliant bar options at Trader Joe's, best for emergency snacks to keep on hand and also for traveling.  Watch out for sneaky sugars, peanuts, sweetened chocolate, and vanilla extract when it comes to these.  (Note:  vanilla bean is fine, but generally "extract"= alcohol based which is out for the program).  Unsweetened chocolate is technically compliant but a "use with caution" situation since it gives major candy bar vibes.

• RXBAR
• Larabar
• Trader Joe's brand Apple + fruit bars

DELI

From dips to meats- there are SO MANY THINGS to cover in the deli section- and some awesome finds to make life easy!  We love the almond dip for lunch or a snack with sliced peppers, cucumber, or baby carrots- and it's also awesome spread into a lettuce wrap!  Try making my Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken with any of these compliant salsas, or layer them over a taco salad.  Same goes for the guac!  Awesome in a salad or on top of a Beef Fajita Burrito Bowl.

DIPS

• Jalapeño Lime Almond Dip
• Salsa Especial (Mild & Medium)
• Vegan Kale, Cashew, & Basil Pesto
• Avocado's Number Guacamole

There are two compliant sausage options at TJ's, and we love both for breakfasts AND for dinners!  Check out my whole gallery of Whole30 recipes here on my blog and get inspired!  Hot dogs are another favorite- we rely on them for easy weeknight dinners with some sautéed veggies (kale is our favorite with lots of garlic).  For lunch wraps and quick protein pre- or post-workout, try the smoked salmon or sliced turkey breast!

MEATS

• Pork Belly
• Garlic Herb Chicken Sausage
• Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage
• Applegate Organic Grass Fed Hot Dogs
• Trader Joe's Organic & Grass Fed Beef Hot Dogs
• Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon
• Organic Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

GROCERY

Always love hunting down new compliant finds in the grocery aisles!  From nut butters (watch out for sneaky sugars) to seasonings, to sauces- there's tons to choose from!  You can also find staples like cooking fats (avocado oil, olive oil) and canned salmon, tuna, and sardines.  Just steer clear of the chips- they're all off limits for the program!  (even the plantain chips... sad, I know)

• Almond Butter 
• Raw Cashew Pieces (blend into sauces like my Whole30 Alfredo or pulse into collagen snack bites)
• Salad Topper
• Everything But the Bagel Blend (NOT the Chile Lime... see my Instagram story highlights for why!)

• Almond, Cashew, & Macadamia Nut Beverage (for coffee or blending into soups/sauces)
• Beef & Chicken Bone Broths
• Tahini
• Coconut Aminos
• Fish Sauce (a little goes a long way for adding flavor to dishes!)

• Marinara Sauce (this is one of only two that I've found- watch out for sugar & soy!!!)
• Organic Tomato Sauce
• Organic Diced Tomatoes
• Tomato Paste (love the handy squeeze tube)
• Double Roasted Salsa
• Salsa Verde
• Olive Oil Spray (the only compliant spray!)

FROZEN

There are tons of options here in the frozen section- just look for single ingredient items as much as possible!

I'm including some top favorites from the meat & veggie sections.  See my Instagram highlight for some sneaky *not* compliant finds and why- hint:  shredded potatoes!!

• Chili Lime Burgers
• Grass Fed Beef Burgers
• Turkey Burgers
• Ground Buffalo Burgers
• Red Argentinian Shrimp (these are wild caught and jumbo and AMAZING)

• Riced Cauliflower
• Grilled Cauliflower
• Green Beans (we cook these right from frozen & make Crispy Oven Green Beans!)
• Fire Roasted Peppers & Onions
• Mixed Peppers

DRINKS

If I'm not drinking water, you can find me sipping on organic coffee or mineral water.  Love that there are some compliant options at Trader Joe's!  Also keep your eye out for GT's Kombucha- one of the few compliant brands.  We LOVE the Watermelon & Trilogy flavors in our "mocktails"!

• Organic Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate (mix with that nut milk beverage from above for a delicious creamy iced coffee!)
• Mineral Waters:  the TJ's brand is great, but Spindrift is our favorite!  No "natural flavors"- just a small amount of fruit juice.

That's all for now!  I'll update this post over time as I find some new things that are blog post worthy  :)  Hope this helps!!

Happy Whole30ing,