Trader Joe’s is one of the most beloved grocery stores out there. In most cases, it has some of the most delicious—and oftentimes healthy—foods around. However, there are inevitably instances in which Trader Joe’s products fall flat, either in the flavor department or the health department. That’s why it helps to turn to the advice of experts when you’re formulating your grocery list; it’s always good to know exactly what to leave out of your cart. To help you along the way, we compiled a list of health and food experts recommend avoiding, from subpar sandwiches to unhealthy processed snacks. Find it all below.
1. Impossible Chicken Nuggets
This meat alternative is undeniably delicious and convenient for vegans and vegetarians, but as registered dietitian, Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN and nutritionist Lisa Young, PhD, RDN tell Eat This, Not That, the ingredients used to make them taste like chicken aren’t beneficial for your health.
Shapiro says that "the industrial oils, the processed form of soy, and the sugars (in the form of dextrose) don’t have many health benefits." Young agrees, adding that "while this item is full of protein, it’s also full of fat and sodium."
2. Mini Chocolate Chip Pancake & Waffle Mix
Trader Joe’s fans were understandably excited when the grocer introduced a new mix to make homemade pancakes and waffles, especially with chocolate chips. As delicious as this treat is, Shapiro explains why this pancake mix is simply that—a treat—and not a fulfilling breakfast option.
"This uses enriched flour, which is free from fiber and will cause blood sugar fluctuations, which can cause you to eat larger portions or to feel hungry quickly later on," Shapiro says. Additional ingredients like white flour, sugar, and soy lecithin emulsifier are more reasons why this should be consumed once in a while, if ever. "This is more of a treat than a breakfast and will likely have you feeling lethargic instead of energized," adds Shapiro.
3. Packaged Sushi, Salads, and Sandwiches
Trader Joe's offers a substantial selection of pre-made foods like sandwiches, wraps, salads, grain bowls, and even sushi. However, although it may be tempting to add these convenient options to your cart, they may not deliver when it comes to flavor, freshness, and quality.
"None of these are prepared freshly on-site and you can tell," Simply Recipes News & Features Senior Editor Myo Quinn says. "You’re much better off getting a microwavable meal or salad kit." Luckily, there are so many great frozen TJ's meals to choose from.
4. Cacio e Pepe Puffs
These cheesy puffs have a kick of pepper—making for the seemingly perfect party snack. Shapiro and Young say popcorn might be a more fulfilling and satiating option than this processed snack.
"This snack contains carbs without any protein or fiber to keep you full and will not balance your blood sugar levels," Shapiro says. "This often leads to overeating and consuming more than the portion recommended, which is what ultimately makes snacking unhealthy." Got it!
5. Vegan Feta Cheese
One thing that many vegans struggle with is completely cutting cheese from their diets. This vegan feta cheese alternative at Trader Joe’s seems like a great and delicious way to replace cheese, but as Young notes, its lack of protein is a red flag.
"While this is vegan, it offers very little in the way of nutritional value," Young says. "Unlike feta cheese, this version contains no protein. It’s also high in saturated fat. It’s mostly coconut oil and potato starch. I’d skip it."
6. Shelf-Stable Salad Dressings
A great dressing is a crucial component of any salad. Unfortunately, although Trader Joe's does many things well, Myo says that their shelf-stable dressings miss the mark when it comes to flavor.
"I’ve tried them all and they’re all too sweet, lacking in flavor, and not worth your hard-earned money," she warns. "Especially when homemade is so easy."
It should be noted, though, that many of their refrigerated dressings are delicious. I'm personally a huge fan of the Vegan Creamy Dill.
7. Breads
The Trader Joe's bakery section is full of tasty treats. But according to Simply Recipes Recipe Editor Laurel Randolph, most of the breads you'll find at TJ's are disappointing.
"To be fair, I'm not impressed with grocery store bread aisles 99% of the time, but I think TJ's sandwich bread is especially bad, and I've had more than one loaf become moldy in a day or two after purchase," she says. Noted!
READ MORE: The Best Trader Joe’s Dessert Items That Are Hitting The Shelves This Month
