Is there such a thing as not being a Trader Joe’s fan? The grocery store chain has multiple fan accounts on social media for good reason. (I’m looking at you, Trader Joe’s List!) Trader Joe’s has great, budget-friendly food and tons of clean options. Did you know Trader Joe’s typically has under 4,000 items in their store at one time so team members can really get to know the products? That’s why your cashier always knows the best products to buy! Here’s another fun fact: a lot of popular companies make some Trader Joe’s private label products, but the info on what companies are behind each product is totally secret!
Trader Joe’s is really great for quick and easy meals, stocking up on pantry staples, baking supplies, and for the purpose of this blog post: snacks!
How Clean Are Trader Joe’s Products?
All Trader Joe’s products are tempting, but take a look at the labels when you’re shopping. A few labels have a few sneaky ingredients that show up pretty often: corn (that is not labeled as non-GMO or organic), lots of sugar, and gums. I recommend you read the labels while you’re shopping because I have a feeling you may be surprised to learn which products aren’t totally “clean.”
By the way, my definition of “clean” means:
- Real ingredients – ingredients you can recognize
- No gums, fillers, natural flavors
- No refined sugars
- No overly refined oils (canola)
I spent over two hours in a Trader Joe’s scoping out their products and looking for clean labels. There definitely is plenty to choose from and I wanted to share this list of my favorite 10 CLEAN SNACKS so you can relax and enjoy your snack shopping!
Organic Watermelon Jerky
This is by far my #1 snack at Trader Joe’s right now. Made only with organic watermelon, these are thin, dried watermelon slices that taste like candy. They’re naturally sweet; it’s hard to not eat the bag in one sitting!
Organic Carrots
This is a gluten-free snack made with multi-colored dehydrated organic carrots and sea salt. They are super crunchy and delicious!
Organic Roasted Seaweed with Salt
Made with organic seaweed, high-oleic sunflower oil, and salt, these snacks are light and healthy. The reason high-oleic is specified is because this is “better for you” oil. Seaweed is a great snack because it’s high in fiber and has lots of minerals and nutrients! Who knew snacks could be so healthy?
Freeze-Dried Blueberries
Finally, you can find freeze-dried blueberries that are unsweetened and unsulfured. A lot of dried fruit has added sugars, so these make a good and healthy snack. Since these are freeze-dried, they are light and airier than your typical fruit snack! I love to add these onto toasts or pancakes or eat them right out of the bag! (My dog is a fan of them, too!)
Dried Pineapple Rings
This is another great snack option, and it’s only made from dried pineapple! But don’t eat the whole bag at once! These are really sweet so a ring or two will do the job if you’ve got a sugar craving, but want to stay clean.
Fruit Bars
These bars come in a variety of flavors and are made with very simple ingredients. They’re great as a grab-and-go snack. Flavors include:
- Organic Mango: made with organic dried mangoes, these are vegan and gluten-free
- Apple + Coconut: made with apples and coconuts, these are vegan and raw
- Apple + Banana: made with apples and bananas, these are vegan and raw
- Apple + Strawberry: made with apples and strawberries, these are vegan and raw
- Apple + Mango: made with apples and mangoes, these are vegan and raw
Sweet Potato Chips
Made with sweet potatoes, high-oleic sunflower oil and salt, these are a great chip option if you need a mid-day boost or want a side for your homemade lunch!
Grainless Cassava & Coconut Tortilla Chips
Made with cassava flour, avocado oil, coconut flour, and a mix of spices and seeds (including sesame and chia seeds,) this snack is gluten-free and a good choice when you need a salty snack. I love how they are grain-free and sneak in some superfoods like chia seeds.
Peruvian Potato Chips
Made with potatoes, high-oleic sunflower oil, and salt, these are another good option for something salty and crunchy!
Organic Corn Chip Dippers
Made with organic ground yellow corn (no GMOs), organic sunflower oil, and salt, this is another good option when you crave a crunch throughout the day.
Trader Joe’s has so many options that it can be overwhelming! Hopefully this list helps you navigate the snack aisle and enjoy snacks that are clean and GWE approved. If you try any new snacks from this list, or have additional clean recommendations from Trader Joe’s, leave a comment below!
