Oh, Trader Joe's! I love thee!Let me start by saying: I love Trader Joe's. I live in the middle of nowhere, so my grocery store options are pretty limited. But every so often I make the trek to the next town over and get my TJ fix! Now, I know some people say Trader Joe's is expensive. With my alternative options being Safeway and Raleys... I've always found it to be the cheapest! (And a recent comparison found it $30 cheaper than Whole Foods for a cart of groceries!) Price aside, I love Trader Joe's PRODUCTS. Even before going vegan keto, there was just something about wandering the aisles of Trader Joe's and looking at all the TJ products. So, when I found myself in the next town over today, I decided to pop into Trader Joe's with a Vegan Keto eye, so I could share my findings with you all! On my shopping trip today, I was able to find 3 "Trader Joe's" products that are sold JUST at Trader Joe's (or they're labeled Trader Joe's and I haven't seen them in other stores!) and a few "Honorable mentions" that are sold elsewhere, but you might as well throw them in your cart while you're there. My Product CriteriaOf course, all the products must be vegan! No animal products!! None. Zero. Zilch! One reason I love Trader Joe's is because they label so much with a big fat V for vegan!! Not everything is labeled, but it helps cut down on my shopping time when it's one less thing for which I have to look out! Additionally, obviously, the products needed to be keto and fit my personal vegan keto WOE. For me, that means a couple of things:
And, I think that's about it! Vegan, low carb and free of any ingredients I avoid. So, let's begin! Product #1: Sacha Inchi SeedsIn this case, I am NOT going to save the best for last, because I want you all to know about this product RIGHT NOW. It is my MOST recommended vegan keto product. Before I get to the macros, let me tell you about this product! The best way to describe it, is like a corn nut and a peanut had a BIG OL' BABY. It's kinda nutty, but kinda soft. I've read the after taste described as both "buttery" and "fishy", but I just think it's plain old nutty... Actually, now that I think about it, the Trader Joe's brand has a distinctly different aftertaste as the old brand I used to order offline (that was since discontinued, hence my extreme JOY AND EXCITEMENT when I found out Trader Joe's started carrying these right around the time they ran out of stock online! Meant to be? I think so...) Anyway, so if you have read about these before, but were turned off by the "fishy" taste... I'd still give them a try! But... other than being a flavor-hybrid, why Sacha seeds? In short, they are really, really, ridiculously good for you! They contain fatty acids, protein and amino acids! They are said to be good for your cholesterol, increase well-being, serve as an anti-inflammatory, AND promote brain, heart, bone and joint health! Like I said, there's a reason this is my most recommended vegan keto product! Oh, and wait... I haven't even gotten to the best part... They're 0 net carbs. And high in fat. And fiber. And Protein. You're welcome! Don't believe me? Check out this label, courtesy of Fooducate! Seriously 5g carbs - 5g fiber = 0 net! And 13g of fat! And 8 grams of protein!!! If I'm on the go, I like to do a half cup of these babies for 26g fat and 16g protein (and 10g fiber for 0 net carbs!) for lunch. They are GREAT to keep in my desk at work, too! Or for road trips... or on the go... Or at home... Or, you know, all the time always... You can find their bright green bag on the BOTTOM shelf with all the nuts (at least that's where it always seems to be in the stores I've been to!). For only a few bucks a bag, and 8 servings per bag (!!), I stock up! Trader Joe's says it best: "Trader Joe’s Sacha Inchi Seeds, scientifically known as plukenetia volubilis, come to us from the Southeast Asian rainforest regions, where they grow inside beautiful, myriad-shaped geometric pods. Some have taken to calling these nut-like seeds superfoods due to their impressive nutritional profile – they are among the best sources of plant-based Omega-3 Fatty Acids, with a single serving providing 300% of the daily allowance of ALA (Alpha Lineoleic Acid). A one ounce serving also packs eight grams of protein, making them a better source of protein than almonds, cashews, or walnuts. Their flavor is unique – savory and salty, similar to a pistachios or almonds, but really unlike any other nuts we’ve tasted. They’re incredibly crunchy, with a subtly buttery finish." So, go out and try some and let me know what you think! Product #2: Coconut Oil PacketsAs Trader Joe's describes: "This is the newest coconut oil product to hit our shelves, and perhaps the most specialized in nature. In its purest form, this is the same oil found in our Organic Virgin Coconut Oil; it’s the packaging that’s different. Here, we’ve packaged the oil in single-serve packets... Glass jars aren’t known for their ease of transport – they can get heavy after a while... We’re selling Trader Joe’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Packets in a 7.1 fluid ounce box of 14 packets (.51 fluid ounces each) for $3.99. " Okay, so I know that these are not a "Trader Joe's Exclusive" BUT these are BY FAR the cheapest version of this product that I've seen! I ordered something similar off Amazon last summer (though for MUCH more!) when I went to a conference in Vegas and they SAVED me! I knew I wanted to keep drinking my BPC, but I did NOT want to try to bring a bottle of coconut oil in my suitcase (and then carry it around the hotel with me until I found coffee...) No thank you! These were super easy to add to my coffee, whenever or wherever I eventually found it in the hotel! (Spoiler alert, though... do NOT try to add these to iced coffee... yep....... they solidify the second they turn cold... I was new to Keto when I went to Vegas! I definitely know better now!) Obviously, when I am at home I don't need packets of coconut oil, but you never know when you'll be on the go and need a fat boost! I'm going to keep a few in my desk at work and a few in my purse! I found these in the oil section! (They've only been out for 2 months, so if you've shopped at Trader Joe's at the past and didn't see these, check again!) Product #3: SeasoningsThe one thing I never want anyone to feel on vegan keto is DEPRIVED or overly RESTRICTED. I am a total food lover at heart, so I want you to know that Vegan Keto does NOT mean "boring food" by any means!!! And lucky for us, Trader Joe's sells some pretty amazing seasonings that help take food to the next level! There are so many more than these, but here's what's in my kitchen! 21 Seasoning Salute As per Trader Joe's: "Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute is a smooth blend of onion, black pepper, celery seed, cayenne pepper, parsley, basil, marjoram, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, savory, rosemary, cumin, mustard, coriander, garlic, carrot, orange peel, tomato, lemon juice and lemon oil. You can amp up the flavor even more if you sprinkle the blend into your palm first, and then break up the spices with your fingertips to release their essential oils... We’re selling each 2.2 ounce jar for $1.99, every day. This seasoning definitely earns a salute! Everyday Seasoning You'll definitely want to use this versatile seasoning EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! It includes: Sea salt, mustard seeds, black peppercorns, coriander, onion, garlic, paprika, chili pepper. Has a nutritional label ever looked so pretty?! I love that this one has a grinder, so I know everything is fresh! Yum! Everything but the Bagel I kept reading about this one, so I picked it up today! If you like everything bagels (which I definitely do!) then this seasoning will perk up your tastebuds! (I did pour some into my hand and lick it today, which definitely reminded me of an everything bagel! I think I might mix it into some vegan keto cream cheese with some flax crackers, perhaps...? Stay tuned for some recipes on that one! Although It would be more like "mix and eat with crackers"... maybe more of a review than a recipe... Ingredients: Sesame Seeds, Sea Salt Flakes, Dried Minced Garlic, Dried Minced Onion, Black Sesame Seeds, Poppy Seeds. (0 net carbs as per the label). Honorable MentionsThere are SO MANY products at Trader Joe's that I LOVE, so it was hard to narrow it down to this list! But everybody always asks "What vegan keto stuff should I get at Trader Joe's that I can't get elsewhere?" so, hopefully this gives you an answer! BUT, while you're AT trader Joe's, you might as well toss these into your cart, as well!
And, of course, to refresh yourself after your long shopping trip, make sure to grab a HUGE bottle of electrolyte Water for only $1.49 on your way out! And that sounded like an advertisement, so let me take this moment to clarify: I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY PRODUCTS OR COMPENSATION FOR TODAY'S BLOG! If Trader Joe's wants to send me some free stuff, awesome (you reading this, TJ?), but I paid real monies for this stuff today! I just love Trader Joe's and food and wanted to share some awesome products with y'all! Until Next Time... Upcoming blogs include...
AND, to share some favorites of members of the FB group "Vegan Keto Made Simple" (uh, the BEST group on FB!). Thank you ladies for your suggestions!!!
And, a blog I haven't fully organized my thoughts on yet, but what I feel must be followed "tightly" and what can be more "loose" on keto... Anyway, THANK YOU, as always, for reading!!! Keep on ketoing on, friends!!! Vegan Keto Madi
3 Comments
Kristen B.
6/17/2017 06:05:04 pm
This is great, Madi! I love hearing about new products I should try, and I am looking forward to your reviews! I have a TJ's nearby, but I haven't tried the seasonings. Definitely going on my list.
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Mandie
6/26/2017 06:27:15 pm
Thanks lady for all your info
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Gratifyingresults
8/3/2017 02:21:49 pm
Your blog was recommended by a friend. Are you on ig?
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About MeI have been carb-loving vegan for over a decade, but carbs stopped loving me as I approached 30... Archives |