Trader Joe’s made a name for itself as a specialty grocery chain that offers a wide variety of fresh produce and healthy signature food products at affordable prices. They’re also a great choice for grocery shopping if you’re following a diet plan and have food restrictions, and for anyone who just wants to eat healthy. Shopping keto-friendly products at Trader Joe’s can be a breeze with this ultimate shopping guide.
Keto-Friendly Shopping at Trader Joe’s
This keto-friendly Trader Joe’s shopping list is a handy guide for those who are just beginning their keto journey. You should still read the ingredient information and nutrition labels of the products listed below to make sure they fit into your personal required macros.
Most packaged foods are usually off-limits on a keto diet because, but TJ’s has a good selection of packaged food items that meet keto requirements.
Guacamole
Avocado is, of course, one of the staples of a keto diet. Preparing your own from fresh ingredients is always best, but Trader Joe’s also offers guacamole products with no added sugars that you can stock up on for those days when you’re feeling lazy.
Avocados
Gotta grab some fresh avocados, too, while you’re there. You can buy the full-sized avocados if you eat them on a daily basis; or opt for the mini avocados, which are just the right size for avocados on toast.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are not just keto-friendly, they’re always a great addition to a healthy diet. They are naturally low in carbohydrates and loaded with protein, heart-healthy fats, and vitamin E. Grab an unsalted bag to make it an even healthier buy.
Clarified Butter
Also known as ghee, clarified butter is great for cooking keto as it contains a good amount of healthy fats, vitamin A, E and D. This is another product you should always keep in stock.
Frozen Meats
Trader Joe’s has a great selection of frozen lean meats, and even grass-fed meats, at affordable prices. Lean meats are always a good source of protein with just enough calories to make you feel fuller longer.
Meat Snacks
Healthy, natural, and keto-approved, you can indulge in these meat snacks without worrying about artificial flavors and preservatives.
Frozen Vegetables and Frozen Berries
Fresh is always better, but frozen options still offer health benefits and you can find organic options at Trader Joe’s. Don’t forget to stock up on TJ’s riced broccoli and cauliflower for easier prep of these carb substitutes that are also a keto diet staple.
Deli Selection
Choose from traditional carnitas, chicken sausage, uncured bacon, sliced prosciutto, pork belly, grass fed beef sirloin roast, and roast chicken breast for your convenient low-carb protein.
Nut and Seed Butters
You’ll go nuts over TJ’s excellent collection of nut butters and seed butter that are 100 percent nuts/seeds, with no added sugar. From peanut, almond, to mixed nuts, and sunflower seed butter, you can fill your shopping cart and cupboard with these healthy spreads.
Raw Cheese and Packaged Cheese
TJ’s has an impressive selection of raw cheeses, as well as a variety of healthy and organic packaged cheeses for those with food sensitivities.
Keto Snacks
- Seasoned kale chips, crispy okra, and broccoli florets are keto-friendly substitutes for chips.
- Coconut chips, roasted coconut chips, and organic coconut flakes can be used to make keto granola and as toppings for your keto oatmeal.
- Freeze-dried blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries with no added sugar are great for making smoothies, as toppings for keto oatmeal, and as a snack.
Other Frozen Foods
- For healthier burger options, grab some Premium Salmon Burgers, Turkey Burgers, Chili Lime Chicken Burgers, Tuna Burgers, and Mahi Mahi Burgers – they’re pre-packed but only contain clean ingredients.
- Frozen chicken thigh meat, chicken wings, and shrimp are convenient ingredients that you can just toss into a pot or the grill for quick and easy meals.
Prepared Fresh Foods
These are conveniently packaged so you can just grab them from the fridge and go – pre-sliced fruits and vegetables that you can snack on at work or pack into your kids’ lunchbox. Grab Trader Joe’s popular Green Goddess Salad Dressing to make a healthy salad – it’s keto, paleo, and Whole30.
What You Should Avoid
Trader Joe’s also has items that may seem keto-friendly but are just the opposite. They are high in sugar, carbs, and may even include questionable ingredients. Don’t add these to your shopping cart:
- Dried figs, beets, and parsnips
- Broccoli Crust Pizza
- Cauliflower Pizza Crust
- Veggie Straws
- Corn Tortilla Chips
- Low Fat Yogurt or anything covered in yogurt
- Protein Bars and Drinks
- Healthy Organic Juices and Drinks
