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I'm a dietitian who loves shopping at Trader Joe's. Here are 12 items I rely on to make easy, nutritious meals.

A composite image of Serena holding a can of Trader Joe's garbanzo beans and a loaf of organic seeded bread.
Garbanzo beans and seeded bread are some of the many things I buy at Trader Joe's for easy meals.

Serena Pratt

  • I'm a registered dietitian who relies on Trader Joe's for easy and nutritious meal options.
  • Some of my favorite breakfast items include the store's Greek yogurt, bread, and frozen fruit.
  • Trader Joe's frozen rice medley and steamed lentils help me make quick and easy meals.

As a registered dietitian, my happy place is wandering the aisles of a grocery store — especially Trader Joe's.

It's been one of my favorite stores since I was a child, and it's still one of the first places I go when I want to pick up items that make nutritious eating feel more realistic.

Here are some of the many items I always add to my cart.

Trader Joe's roasted-garlic hummus is satisfying on its own or when paired with veggies.
Serena holds a container of Trader Joe's roasted-garlic hummus.

Serena Pratt

Hummus is one of my favorite foods for rounding out snacks and meals.

Since it's made primarily from chickpeas, it adds fiber, plant-based protein, and iron in a form that's easy to eat.

I use the roasted-garlic version as a dip, sandwich spread, salad dressing, or addition to a snack plate, and I especially love pairing it with Trader Joe's mini cucumbers for the perfect no-prep snack.

Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt is one of the most versatile items in my fridge.
Serena holds a container of Trader Joe's plain, nonfat Greek yogurt.

Serena Pratt

The combination of protein and live probiotic cultures makes Trader Joe's Greek yogurt one of my most-used staples.

I use it as a breakfast base with fruit and chia seeds, as a smoothie thickener, or in savory meals as a sour-cream substitute.

I usually buy the plain version with no added sugar, so I can add my own fruit or chia jam, and control the sweetness myself.

Strawberry kefir is easy to drink on my way out the door.
Serena holds a bottle of Trader Joe's low-fat strawberry kefir.

Serena Pratt

As a fermented dairy product, kefir contains a wider variety of probiotic strains than yogurt and can help support healthy digestion.

The strawberry version from Trader Joe's is drinkable and lightly sweet, without the pronounced tartness plain kefir can have.

On mornings when I don't have time to put breakfast together, I'll pour a glass alongside a piece of seeded toast or fruit for a quick, gut-health-boosting breakfast.

One thing to note: Trader Joe's flavored kefirs contain added sugars, so if you're looking to avoid that, I suggest going for the plain version.

Trader Joe's frozen rice medley is a major time-saver.
Serena holds a box of Trader Joe's rice medley.

Serena Pratt

I love having Trader Joe's rice medley in my freezer because it provides a more interesting base for dinner.

The mix of whole grains adds more fiber than white rice alone and pairs well with curries, stir-fries, and roasted vegetables. I just microwave it in the pouch for three minutes.

Garbanzo beans provide protein, fiber, and so many options.
Serena holds a can of Trader Joe's garbanzo beans.

Serena Pratt

Each half-cup serving of Trader Joe's garbanzo beans contains both fiber and plant-based protein, making this a must-have item in my pantry.

There are so many ways to prepare these beans. I air fry them for a crunchy snack, toss them into salads and grain bowls, stir them into soups, add them to dense bean salads, or blend them into sauces.

Since they're shelf-stable, I always have a can (or three) on hand to make a filling meal with minimal prep.

The sesame-crunch salad kit is a low-effort meal that's ready in under 5 minutes.
Serena holds a bag of Trader Joe's sesame crunch chopped salad kit.

Serena Pratt

I love salad kits that taste good because they make me far more likely to prepare lunch instead of defaulting to takeout.

Trader Joe's sesame-crunch chopped salad kit has pre-shredded vegetables, a flavorful sesame dressing, and crunchy toppings that make it feel like a real meal instead of a side salad.

To make it more substantial, I like to add grilled chicken and edamame.

Trader Joe's steamed lentils make it easy to add fiber and protein to my diet.
Serena holds a box of Trader Joe's steamed lentils.

Serena Pratt

Lentils are one of my favorite foods for adding plant-based protein and fiber to a meal. I especially like Trader Joe's precooked version because it saves me a lot of time.

I use them in a shortcut for lentil soup, as the base of bowls, and even in tacos when I want a plant-forward meal. They're also a good source of iron, which is another reason they're a staple in my fridge.

Frozen turkey burgers are a lean protein source that can be served with or without a bun.
Serena holds a box of Trader Joe's turkey burgers.

Serena Pratt

Trader Joe's turkey burgers are one of the freezer staples I rely on most when I need dinner ready quickly.

Turkey is a complete protein and provides a good source of B vitamins like B6 and B12, which support energy production, mood, and cognitive function.

These burgers cook quickly in the air fryer or on the stove, and I use them in burger bowls, on salads, or with a whole-grain bun and sweet-potato fries for a quick weeknight meal.

The frozen fire-roasted bell peppers and onions make taco night easy.
Serena holds a bag of Trader Joe's fire-roasted bell peppers and onions.

Serena Pratt

Bell peppers are a great source of vitamin C, and the fire-roasting process gives them a depth of flavor you wouldn't expect from a frozen vegetable.

I add these to tacos, fajitas, and grain bowls when I want a vegetable that's already chopped, cooked, and ready to eat. This product saves me time, adds color and flavor, and makes it easier to eat my servings of vegetables.

Edamame is a great source of fiber.
Serena holds a bag of Trader Joe's frozen salted edamame.

Serena Pratt

Edamame is one of the few plant-based foods that contains all nine essential amino acids — AKA the ones the body can't make on its own and, therefore, has to get from food.

The legume is also an excellent source of fiber, which supports digestion, helps stabilize blood sugar, and sustains fullness.

I keep a bag in the freezer at all times, and like to steam a bowl for a mid-afternoon snack.

Frozen fruit is just as nutritious as fresh, and this berry blend never goes to waste.
Serena holds a bag of Trader Joe's frozen berries.

Serena Pratt

Frozen fruit is one of the easiest ways to keep a healthy option on hand without worrying about it going bad.

Plus, since frozen fruit is picked and processed at peak ripeness, its vitamin and antioxidant content is comparable to that of fresh versions.

I especially like picking up Trader Joe's Very Cherry Berry blend, which provides a nice variety of cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. It's perfect for smoothies or as an oatmeal topping.

I always grab a loaf of Trader Joe's organic seeded bread.
Serena holds a loaf of Trader Joe's organic seeded bread.

Serena Pratt

Trader Joe's organic seeded bread makes toast or a sandwich feel more substantial. The seeds are a great source of healthy fats, magnesium, and fiber.

I especially like using this bread for turkey and avocado sandwiches at lunch, and I'll have it with peanut butter and banana before a workout.

Keep reading our Trader Joe's diaries here.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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A dietitian lost 20 pounds while enjoying her favorite foods by following her simple 'PPP' rule

A young woman smiling
Hailey Gorski follows the "produce, protein, portion rule."

Hailey Gorski

  • A dietitian created a simple template that helps her build balanced but enjoyable meals.
  • Hailey Gorski anchors her meals in satiating protein and micronutrient-packed fiber.
  • She focuses on what she can add to her plate rather than what she can remove.

Hailey Gorski has a simple rule for making delicious meals that fit her nutrition goals: PPP, or produce, protein, portion.

The 28-year-old dietitian based in Los Angeles anchors her meals in protein, to help her feel full, and nutrient and fiber-packed produce, such as veggies and beans.

To portion her food, she takes a plate and fills about half with produce, about a quarter with protein, and high fibre carbs and maybe some healthy fats for the remainder, she said. PPP can be applied to any meal.

"That's kind of how I visualize my plate and then I reverse engineer my meals from that," Gorski told Business Insider.

She developed the simple template to help her clients who want to lose weight, because she noticed they would often fall into the trap of adopting an all-or-nothing mindset, which was tripping them up.

Clients thought "either I'm super healthy and I'm eating at home, or I'm dining out and eating fast food and junk food and more convenience foods, and I'm being 'unhealthy,'" Gorksi said.

"When you give people a template 'produce, protein portion,' it makes it a lot easier to find healthy options that align with your goals," she said.

Following this template helped Gorski lose 20 pounds in 2016, without cutting out her favorite foods.

"What's great about it is it helps you build the plate, but also helps you shift from the deprivation to the abundance mindset," Gorski said.

When it comes to weight loss, eating balanced, nutritious meals that don't feel restrictive is crucial to long-term success, she said.

PPP rule-approved meals Gorski eats on repeat:

High-fiber, high-protein pasta

A pan of pasta with vegetables and cheese.
Groski's go-to pasta dish.

Hailey Gorski

  • High fiber pasta (portion)
  • Ground beef in marinara sauce (protein)
  • Three different frozen vegetables added into the sauce (produce)

Low-lift wraps

  • High-fiber tortilla wrap (portion)
  • Turkey slices (protein)
  • Guacamole and arugula (produce)

Grain bowls

A salad bowl.
Groski likes to make salad or grain bowls with different themes such as Greek-style.

Hailey Gorski

  • Grilled chicken (protein)
  • Tomato, cucumber, red onion salad (produce)
  • Wholegrain pita, hummus, olives (portion)
Read the original article on Business Insider

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