These Are The Worst Trader Joe’s Foods For Your Health, According To Experts

From its plethora of affordable items for countless diets to its rustic, quirky and charming aesthetic, there are so many reasons why Trader Joe’s is a beloved grocer across 42 U.S. states. These stores offer great produce options and all kinds of low-calorie, vegan and vegetarian meals, meaning that there’s definitely something there for everyone. However, as experts told us and Eat This, Not That, some Trader Joe’s items aren’t recommended by nutritionists and aren’t as healthy as they can seem.

“Trader Joe‘s offers a wide selection of baked goods, snacks, and frozen dessert items that are equally as unhealthy as those found at any other grocery store,” explains Lisa Richards, registered nutritionist and creator of the Candida Diet. “It is a common misconception that foods offered at more health-conscious chains are all perfectly acceptable to a healthy diet.”

With that said, here are four items some nutritionists advise you to avoid from Trader Joe’s, and why.

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, registered dietitian, Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN on the Eat This, Not That! Medical Expert Board 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.

¼ cup of this dry mix equals 150 calories, 2 grams of fat (1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat), 380 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbs, 1 gram of fiber, 9 grams of sugar and 5 grams of protein. 

This new-to-Trader Joe’s meat alternative is undeniably delicious and convenient for vegans and vegetarians, but as Shapiro 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.”

5 Impossible chicken nugget pieces equal 240 calories, 12 grams of fat (1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat), 480 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fiber, <1 gram of sugar and 13 grams of protein.

These cheesy puffs have a kick of pepper— making for the seemingly perfect party snack. Shapiro and Young say that popcorn might be a more fulfilling and satiating option.

“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.”

1 ½ cups of these puffs equal 150 calories, 9 grams of  fat (1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat), 230 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbs, 0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar and 2 grams of protein.

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.”

1 inch cube or 1 ounce of this vegan cheese equals 80 calories, 8 grams of fat (7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat), 210 milligrams of sodium, 3 grams of carbs, 0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar and 0 grams of protein.