Stocking Your Pantry at Trader Joes for Health and Convenience: A Guide for Over 40s

Calling all health-conscious over 40s! Are you tired of searching for wholesome pantry staples? Look no further than here for some Trader Joe’s pantry staples, that you can conveniently stock up on to create easy nutrient-rich meals that support your well-being.

But first, a word about buying TJ’s items online. It would be amazing if TJs could guarantee the best price and selection of their goods online. The truth is that TJ’s online options are through a third-party company called “Mercatus”.

While the products available on the Trader Joe’s website are sourced from Trader Joe’s stores, the ordering, payment, and delivery process is handled by Mercatus. It’s also worth noting that the selection of products available for online purchase may vary from what you can find in physical Trader Joe’s stores and that prices may differ as well.

Using the online shopping option can be a convenient way to purchase healthy foods from Trader Joe’s, especially for those who may not live near a physical store or have difficulty visiting one in person.

Either way, Trader Joe’s is a super viable option for stocking your pantry for quick healthy meal prep. Listed below are some clever and delicious pantry items that will help you make easy simple healthy delicious meals.

1. Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon in a tin.

The rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, can help support brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The tin version is convenient for a quick salad, scramble, or bowl with veggies and whole grains.

2. Lightly smoked sardines in olive oil.

These are great for brain health and can make a simple meal with whole grain bread or a wrap and leafy greens or other raw veggies.

3. Organic Quinoa.

This gluten-free whole grain is a good source of protein and fiber, and contains iron and magnesium, which are important nutrients for brain health. Quinoa cooks fast and makes a great bed for a bowl meal with veggies and hard-cooked eggs or salmon.

4. Dark Chocolate.

High-quality dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which have been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia. a small amount of dark chocolate can be a great way to top off a meal and avoid a heavy dessert.

5. Nuts.

Trader Joe’s offers a variety of nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews, that are high in healthy fats and antioxidants, which can help support brain health.

6. Leafy bagged greens.

Like spinach, the Cruciferous Crunch Collection, and Organic Shredded Kale The kale has none of the woody stems. These bagged greens make quick work of prepping a delicious salad or in cooked dishes such as sautés or greens-n-beans. (see below forgo salad dressing recipe)

7. Whole Grain Dijon Mustard.

TJ’s has by far the best-tasting dijon mustard of any brand anywhere. No really! It is not at harsh and is a staple in my pantry for my salad dressing. (see recipe below)

8. Egg Wraps.

These are fun and convenient for quick wraps or quesadillas.

9. Organic Fair Trade Wake Up Blend Ground Coffee.

Coffee is among the most heavily pesticide-treated crops. It, therefore, is the one food I will only buy as organic. This Wake Up Blend and the Breakfast Blend are absolutely delicious and much more affordable than other organic coffee beans. If you like black coffee, you will appreciate the lack of bitterness or burned taste that can be present in some other brands.

10. Greek Yogurt Non-fat plain.

This is a staple in my kitchen for a quick dose of protein. It’s great as a morning meal with whole grain cereal or stirred into oatmeal. It also is delicious as an afternoon snack with fruit or canned pumpkin and a touch of honey. TJ’s yogurt is made with milk from cows not treated with rBST. Some “Greek-style” yogurts come by their creaminess via thickeners or gums. Not this one. TJ’s Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt is strained, as tradition dictates, to remove much of the liquid whey, leaving a thicker, creamier yogurt. It does have live active cultures making it a great choice for gut health.

11. Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage.

This is antibiotic-free and priced well. Lower in fat than traditional pork sausage and full of flavor. We like to add it to greens-n-beans for added flavor and protein.

12. Garbanzo beans.

We love these in our greens-n-beans and salads and homemade hummus.

13. Organic vegetarian chili.

This vegetarian version is a best-seller and is made with textured sunflower protein. This is a great option if you are avoiding soy. It’s got plenty of red beans and onions, with bell peppers, garlic, jalapeños, and seasonings. Throw it on a bagged salad blend and shred some cheese on top for a quick taco-ish salad

14. Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend.

I use this as a go-to for roasting chicken thighs, in scrambles with veggies and eggs, and on top of avocado toast.

15. Frozen Organic Spinach and Frozen organic Broccoli florets.

These are nutrient powerhouses and are convenient for quick meals.

16. Steamed Lentils.

These small lentils are steamed with a bit of seasoning and nothing else. These can be a great time saver to add to salads, soups, lettuce, or traditional wraps.

17. Trader Joes Red Pepper Eggplant Spread with Red Pepper and Garlic.

Use this as you would hummus, on pita in wraps with crudité. TJ also has another version: Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic. Keep both on hand for a veggie burst in short order.

Choosing nutrient-dense, whole foods is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, especially for women over 40 who may be more susceptible to muscle loss and cognitive decline. Incorporating these healthy foods from Trader Joe’s into your diet can help support muscle recovery and improve brain health for women over 40.

By making small changes to your diet and focusing on nutrient-dense options, you can support your overall health and well-being, and enjoy all the benefits that come with a healthy and active lifestyle.

* Simple Salad Dressing Recipe:

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp Trader Joes Whole Grain Dijon Mustard
1 tsp honey
1 /2 tsp celery salt
1 tsp garlic powder
Directions: Mix well or put in a glass jar and shake well. Refrigerate leftovers. Bring to room temperature before using because olive oil solidifies when chilled.

Interested in eating more delicious meals like these without counting calories? Click here to read my blog post about why calorie counting doesn’t work.

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3 Comments on “Stocking Your Pantry at Trader Joes for Health and Convenience: A Guide for Over 40s”

  1. Can you believe we don’t have Trader Joes anywhere near us??? I’m sure we are missing out!!! This is is a great list of ideas.. I especially love the nuts and chocolate. 😉 Gonna give this salad recipe a try, thanks for sharing!

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