In an ideal world, you’re buying organic vegetables and high-quality meat from your local farmer’s market each week. But that’s not always possible. You have a job and maybe a family — sometimes healthy convenience food is the only way to go. Enter Trader Joe’s. The beloved grocery store chain is best known for its affordable prices and packaged goods. But did you know the store’s shelves are also full of Bulletproof-approved items? Read on to discover the best paleo foods to buy at Trader Joe’s, according to nutritionist Kelly Schmidt, RD, author of “What’s the Deal With Paleo and Primal Eating?” And download this handy shopping list of Bulletproof-approved Trader Joe’s items for the next time that you head to the store.
Just a Handful of Pitted, Salted Manzanilla Olives
These olive snack packs are a great choice if you’re on the move, and at .99 cents a pop, easy on the wallet too.
“Dare I say, I’m eating these as I respond to this interview?” says Schmidt. “These are great for travel and so satisfying for a salty craving. Low in carbohydrates and full of healthy fats, these are a complement to any meal or snack.”
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Traditional gnocchi is made with potato and wheat flour — foods you’d rather avoid on paleo and the Bulletproof Diet. But Trader Joe’s new cauliflower gnocchi, found in the freezer section, has only four ingredients: cauliflower, cassava flour, potato starch, and extra virgin olive oil.
“These gluten-free, real food ‘pasta’ alternatives are full of nutrition compared to the grain version,” says Schmidt. “This is a newer item, but hopefully, one to stay.”
Simply pour the gnocchi straight from the freezer into a pan, sauté in some grass-fed butter, and sprinkle with sea salt. Buon appetito!
Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bars
Collagen is everywhere right now, and for good reason. This powerful protein is known for its anti-aging effects — plumper skin, stronger joints, and a healthier gut. Get all those benefits in a convenient Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bar. One bar packs 11-13g of protein, with no added sugar.
Matcha Green Tea Packets
If you’re searching for a coffee alternative to mix things up, look no further than matcha — a highly potent green tea that’s chock-full of quality fats and antioxidants. Mix one of these single-serve packets with coconut milk and Bulletproof Collagen Protein Powder to give you a steady dose of energy all morning long.
Try it in a recipe: How to Make the Perfect Bulletproof Matcha Latte
Grass-Fed Beef Sirloin Roast (Fully Cooked & Sliced)
Grass-fed beef is one of the best sources of protein on the Bulletproof Diet. Tender and pre-sliced, Trader Joe’s sirloin roast is a great option for a quick lunch. Pair with some steamed broccoli doused in grass-fed butter or ghee, and you’ll be powering through your afternoon.
Frozen Carrot Spirals
Each box contains just two ingredients: carrots and sea salt.
“These are awesome,” says Schmidt. “Who knew spiralized carrots could be so good? Full of vitamin A, dress these up with grass-fed meatballs or a sugar-free marinara and dinner will be easy, satisfying and delicious.” If you’re sensitive to lectins or nightshades, toss them in a green chimichurri sauce instead.
Organic Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
A lot of brands add sugar to their coconut flakes, but Trader Joe’s flakes are “pure,” says Schmidt.
“Fiber-rich and gentle on blood sugars, these coconut flakes are a favorite topper to smoothie bowls or as an ingredient for a homemade trail mix,” she says.
Try it in a recipe: Vanilla Turmeric Anti-Inflammatory Keto Fat Bombs
Frozen Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillets
Trader Joe’s frozen wild Alaskan sockeye salmon is one of the cheapest around — at $7.99 a pound, give or take, it’s almost half the price of what you’d find at other supermarkets.
“The healthy fats in this wild salmon are brain food,” says Schmidt. Choose wild fish over farmed, since farmed seafood is high in pesticides, heavy metals, parasites, and environmental contaminants.
Try it in a recipe: Wild Baked Salmon With Buttered Kale
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Just Coconut Chunks
Coconut is a great source of anti-inflammatory saturated and medium-chain fats, which is why it’s a go-to food on the Bulletproof Diet. But who has the time (and the courage) to crack open a coconut? Try Trader Joe’s frozen coconut chunks — just coconut, and nothing else. Throw into a smoothie or eat as is for a filling, fat-fueled snack.
Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef
“A great product that is very versatile and can be made into a stir-fry with some chopped vegetables, used in a chili, or as taco meat,” says Schmidt. “Grass-fed meat has a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids compared to the conventional version.”
Try it in a recipe: Sweet Potato Skins With Rosemary Ground Beef and Avocado
Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter
Organic, grass-fed butter is a Bulletproof staple. Stir it into your Bulletproof Coffee or spread it on a hearty slice of keto bread. A half-pound of Kerrygold typically sells for $4.99 at gourmet supermarkets, but at Trader Joe’s, you can snag that same amount for under $3.
Saba Bananas (Mini Plantains)
Since they’re high in calories, sugar, and carbs, you should think of plantains more as a starch than a fruit. They’re a good form of resistant starch — which is great for gut health — and it’s best to eat them at night with probiotics. Throw these frozen guys in a smoothie or simply eat straight out of the bag.
Related: Is There Such a Thing As Bulletproof Resistant Starch
Riced Broccoli
If you have cauliflower rice fatigue, switch it up for Trader Joe’s riced broccoli.
“Toss in a salad or throw in a stir-fry,” says Schmidt. “Broccoli is high in vitamin K and C, and high in folate. Be sure to use this vegetable shortly after purchase to retain most of the vitamin C, otherwise put it in the freezer and pull it out when you want to cook.”
Try it in a recipe: Korean Beef Bowl With Kimchi
Raw Almond Butter
You don’t want to eat too many nuts — they are often high in mold toxins and omega-6 fats (these oxidize easily and cause inflammation). Raw almonds are one of the safer nut choices — they’re rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and phytosterols. Enjoy Trader Joe’s raw almond butter on celery sticks as a snack. Or mix equal parts almond butter and grass-fed butter with cocoa powder — eat with a spoon or spread on veggies.
Canned Sardines in Water
It may have a strong, fishy flavor, but it’s hard to beat the health profile of this low-mercury, oily fish. Chock-full of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, sardines added to salad or mashed with avocado are the bomb.
“Drain the sardines and mix with some olive oil, dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice,” says Schmidt. “Try this food with an open mind and be surprised at how pleasant it can be.”
Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Packets
Talk about convenience: you get 14 mini packs (.51 fluid ounces each) for $3.99. For those days when you’ve run out of your Brain Octane Oil (a more powerful source of fat than coconut oil), stir one of these packets into your coffee or tea. It won’t have the same benefits as BOO but it’ll give you a bump of energy nonetheless. You could even use a pack as a spot moisturizer on dry elbows or as a hair conditioner on your ends.