Trader Joe's-The Clean Food Blog

Trader Joe’s is one of my absolute favorite places to shop. I’m there at least once per week, if not twice. And while I don’t claim to know all of their clean eating items, I think I’ve got most of them pretty nailed down by this point. I tried to give examples of both organic and non-organic foods.

BUT FIRST, you may be asking, what do you mean, eating "clean?"

When someone makes the choice to eat "clean" they are choosing to eliminate ALL processed foods and extra additives from their diet.  Basically, you are choosing to eat whole, unrefined foods.  

The basics of eating clean include - eating lots of fruits and vegetables.  These are straight from nature. The idea is to stay away from anything that may have been altered in any way.  

Include meats. Make sure these meats are meats that you have chosen straight from the butcher or prepared yourself.  You would be very surprised to find out what is actually in ground turkey.  

Enjoy whole grains. These are grains that are still complete and haven't been broken down in any form.  Examples include: brown rice, whole wheat and other whole grains.  You will have to get used to reading over food labels.  Just because a product says its "whole grain" does not mean it is.  It also does not mean they have not added a bunch of other ingredients as well.  

Eat fewer ingredients. Try not to purchase items with more than 4-6 ingredients in the ingredient list.  Also, be sure you recognize every ingredient.  If you can't pronounce it, you probably shouldn't put it in your body, right?

Ok, on with this list. Also, keep in mind, these are the prices RIGHT NOW. During the summer, most of the fruit prices, to my knowledge, go down a bit. Also keep in mind this is not EVERYTHING, it is just Trader Joe's. But all of this food can be found at other grocery stores. 

   ORGANIC PRODUCE

• BELL PEPPERS, fresh, $2.99 for 2
• ZUCCHINI, fresh, (prices vary)
• TOMATOES, fresh $2.79-2.99
• STRAWBERRIES, in season, fresh, $3.29
• BLUEBERRIES, in season, fresh, $3.99
• SWEET POTATOES, fresh, $3.99 a bunch, $1.79 a bunch non-organic
• BROCCOLI, fresh, $2.49
• GREEN BEANS, fresh, $2.49-2.99
• SPINACH, organic OR pesticide free, fresh, $1.99
• STRAWBERRIES, frozen ($2.79 – 12 oz.)
• BLUEBERRIES, frozen ($3.99 – 12 oz.)
• RASPBERRIES, frozen ($2.99 – 12 oz)
• LETTUCE, fresh, $1.99
• ONIONS, raw, $2.49-2.99 a bunch
• APPLES, raw, $2.49 a bunch, $0.69 each
• PEARS, raw, $0.69-0.79 non-organic

   NON-ORGANIC PRODUCE 

   Tip: When choosing non-organic, fresh produce, opt for thicker skinned produce so that you peel off most of the pesticides with the peel or skin.

• AVOCADOS, fresh, $0.99 each organic, $3.29 a bunch, $2.99 non-organic bunch
• BANANAS, fresh ($0.19 ea. conventional / $0.29 ea. organic)
• BROCCOLI, fresh, $2.29
• CAULIFLOWER, fresh $2.29
• PINEAPPLE, fresh, whole or cut (prices vary)
• PINEAPPLE, frozen ($1.79 – 16 oz.)
• MANGO, frozen ($2.69 – 24 oz.)
• KALE, fresh, $1.99
• MUSHROOMS, white ($1.69 and up)
• MUSHROOMS, crimini ($1.69 and up)
• GARLIC, fresh (prices vary)
• ORANGES (prices vary)
• GRAPEFRUIT (prices vary)
• BELL PEPPERS, mixed, frozen ($1.69 – 16 oz.)
• BERRY MEDLEY, mixed berries, frozen ($3.29 – 16 oz.)

  DAIRY

  Tip: Dairy is always better purchased organic. But not everyone can afford it. Buy the best you can afford. I personally do not consider dairy a part of clean eating, because for me it creates a lot of congestion in my system. But some people do, so here are some of the better choices when choosing dairy.

• GREEK YOGURT, non-fat, store brand ($1.99 – 16 oz.)
• MILK, low fat, store brand ($3.99 gal – conventional / 5.99 gal organic)
• COTTAGE CHEESE, low fat, store brand ($3.49 organic – 16 oz. / 1.99 conventional – 16 oz.)

   POULTRY

   Tip: Again, organic is best. But buy the best you can afford.

• CHICKEN BREASTS, boneless, skinless ($6.99 per pound, organic / $2.49 per pound conventional)
• SLICED TURKEY, reduced sodium, $4.79
• EGGS, organic ($4.49 per dozen)
• EGGS, conventional ($1.99 + per dozen)

  SEAFOOD

• SALMON, wild caught (prices vary)
• TROUT, wild caught (prices vary)
• DOVER SOLE, wild caught (prices vary)
• TUNA, canned in water ($1.69 per can – red label)
• TILAPIA, fresh or frozen (prices vary)
• COD, frozen (prices vary)

   NUTS AND NUT BUTTERS

• ALMONDS, raw or roasted ( around $5)
• WALNUTS, pieces or halves (around $7.50)
• PECANS (around $5)
• PISTACHIOS (around $6)
• PEANUT BUTTER, conventional or organic ($1.99 and up depending on type)
• ALMOND BUTTER, organic ($5.99 – 16 oz.)

   GRAINS

• OATS, steel cut ($3.29 – 30 oz.)
• PASTA, whole wheat, organic ($1.39 – 1 lb)
• PASTA, brown rice, organic ($1.99 – 1 lb.)
• FARRO, 1.49/pkg
• BARLEY, 1.49/pkg
• RED SPLIT LENTILS, 1.99/pkg
• COUSCOUS, whole wheat ($1.99 per box)
• BROWN RICE ($2.99 per bag)
• QUINOA ($3.99 – $4.99 depending on type)
• EZEKIEL BREAD ($3.49 per loaf), NOT ALL EZEKIEL BREADS are clean so read the ingredients!
• SPROUTED MULTI-GRAIN BREAD, ($2.99 per loaf)

   PANTRY ITEMS

• LOW SODIUM VEGETABLE OR CHICKEN BROTH ($1.99 per carton – 32 oz.)
• COCONUT MILK, unsweetened, box, $1.99
• ALMOND MILK, unsweetened, box, $1.99
• CANNED BEANS ($1.19 – $1.99 depending on beans – 15 oz.)
• TOMATO SAUCE ($1.49 – 15 oz. can)
• TOMATOES, diced ($1.00 – 15 oz. can)
• COCONUT OIL – ($5.99 – 16 fl. oz. jar)
• OLIVE OIL  ($3.49 – 16.9 fl. oz. bottle)
• SPICES-CINNAMON, OREGANO, GARLIC, BASIL, LEMON PEPPER, CUMIN, $1.99 Some are higher but most of the basic ones are $1.99. Spices are great when you are eating clean because they have a lot of anti oxidative properties and give bland food a little kick!