It is not inaccurate to say that Trader Joe’s is a great place to grocery shop if you are looking for healthy food items. However, it may be surprising to some that Trader Joe’s understands picky eaters just as well as they understand health nuts.
The term “picky eater” is typically used to describe the eating habits of certain children. However, I feel that we should normalize the characterization of adults as picky eaters as well.
There are plenty of adults out there (like me!) whose taste buds have not changed much since they were kids. We picky eaters can’t decline an offer of Dino nuggets and Kraft mac ‘n cheese! The following food recommendations can all be found at your local Trader Joe’s, which would be convenient for you Trader Joe’s lovers out there!
I must admit that I do not frequent Trader Joe’s very often. That being said, I was nothing short of satisfied with the food products I found during my visit to this premium grocery store.
1. Freeze Dried Strawberries
We picky eaters are notorious for liking our foods sweet. Now, you may have noticed that the packaging of these food products reads the word “Unsweetened.”
Not to fear! Think of these freeze-dried strawberries — as well as the other freeze-dried fruit options Trader Joe’s offers — as a healthier version of the freeze-dried Skittles you may have seen advertised on social media.
This snack option is perfect for enjoying while sitting on the couch or taking on the go. If you do not like to be a messy eater, then this may be a nice alternative made from natural strawberries.
These freeze-dried strawberries may take a few bites to get used to, but once you have enough, you will be hooked!
2. Pizza Ranch Salad Kit
This salad tastes exactly how it reads: like a handmade pizza in salad form. If you love pizza and also love salads, then this product is for you!
This salad kit can serve roughly 1-3 people, depending on the serving size you choose. This particular salad kit Trader Joe’s sells can be perfectly paired alongside a pasta dish or a pizza if you want to have the ultimate pizza party!
The pizza-inspired inclusions within this salad truly create a delectable side dish to your meal. The variety of cheeses, bread crumbles, and pizza-style ranch come together to form a thoroughly delicious salad that you can enjoy at any occasion!
3. Yogurt Pretzels
Ahh…who doesn’t love a good yogurt-covered pretzel?
If you’re like me, it may only be once in a blue moon that you snack on a yogurt-covered pretzel. However, in the rare instance that you do, it is truly a wonderful experience. It is especially wonderful if that yogurt-covered pretzel is from the one and only Trader Joe’s. This pretzel snack tastes just as good (if not better!) as what you can read from the description on the packaging.
For those of you who enjoy both, this snack is the perfect mix of savory and sweet. You get the saltiness, along with the crunch, of a pretzel paired with the soft, sweet flavor of yogurt. This combination makes for the perfect afternoon (or midnight) snack.
4. Party Size Mini Meatballs
This colorfully advertised food product is versatile in that you can choose to eat these meatballs in whatever form you like. You could plop some on top of a heaping dish of spaghetti, slice them up, and throw them in a lasagna dish. You can achieve whatever your hungry heart desires with the help of these party-size meatballs!
The combination of beef and pork with a flavorful blend of spices creates a truly mouthwatering experience. The meaty flavors are the main character, while the onion, garlic, and other spices are the sidekicks.
Many people typically associate meatballs with spaghetti. While this is a phenomenal cuisine, it downplays the meatball’s ability to act on its own. Trader Joe’s party-size mini meatballs are nothing short of impressive. They are perfectly bite-sized and versatile for any meal!
5. Joe’s Diner Mac ‘n Cheese
Mac & cheese. A true classic. You may be wondering, what makes Joe’s Diner Mac ‘n Cheese so special? Allow me to change your world…
This frozen dinner masterpiece consists of elbow macaroni noodles smothered in four types of cheese: Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, and Havarti.
Personally, I have never heard of the last type of cheese prior to encountering this mac. However, I was nothing short of satisfied with my first bite of this mac. Now, my opinion may be biased due to my eternal love for mac & cheese. But, I must say that this mac & cheese stands out from other mac & cheeses I’ve had…and that’s saying something!
6. Mac and Cheese Bites
Staying on the theme of mac & cheese…
Here, we are taking mac and cheese to a whole other level. First, we have your delicious mac and cheese combination. Now, take that delectable mac and cheese, wrap breading around it, and form it into a bite-sized ball.
Heat them up in whichever way you desire, and pop as many as you want. If you want just a quick snack, then heat up just a few. But if you are hungry for more of an appetizer, then heat up the whole box!
7. Quiche Lorraine
Quiche Lorraine is a classic dish that you may find a recipe for in your mom, dad, or grandma’s cookbook. This dish includes delectable tastes of both savory and smoky.
This 200-calorie frozen meal is perfect for a single-person dinner. You can choose to heat it in a microwave or an oven. No matter which appliance you choose, this dish will not disappoint.
The combination of the buttery crust, the creamy custard of eggs, smoky ham, and Swiss cheese creates a beautifully fluffy and flavorsome dish that recreates the nostalgic feeling of a home-cooked meal.
8. Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches
If you have a sweet tooth, you will fall in love with these ice cream sandwiches! These snack-size sandwiches are a smaller version of Blue Bunny’s renowned Big Bopper sandwich.
But what makes Trader Joe’s ice cream sandwiches so unique compared to other dessert sandwiches is the countless mini chocolate chips covering the border. This addition just adds to the chocolate flavor that already carries this popular dessert.
Vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies can be enjoyed cold. Or, if you have a bowl handy, heat the sandwich up in the microwave, take a spoon, and dig in.
Picky eaters and Trader Joe’s may seem like an unlikely match to some people. Perusing through the aisles of this grocery store may seem like a hopeless mission for picky eaters. However, if you look closely (and read this article once more) you may find just the perfect food selections for your fussy taste buds!
