Fall! The best season out there in my opinion. Especially if you’re into pumpkin spice, red wine, and cozy evenings (YES).
Grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s is kind of like a weird little hobby for me (anyone else?). ESPECIALLY in the fall, when so many fun new products come out. But here’s the deal: not everything at Trader Joe’s is good for you. In fact, a lot of it isn’t (sad but true). So – and this is part of the fun – you have to be a vigilant label reader on a little scavenger hunt.
My rule? Real food only (always). Meaning whole, recognizable ingredients. So… no weird chemical preservatives, additives, processed vegetable oils, or unpronounceable ingredients. Anything that makes me go “what’s that?” is out (a constraint that actually makes grocery shopping WAY easier).
But! Trader Joe’s sells a lot of good, real food products too – ones that our bodies will actually thank us for (aaaand they’re usually less expensive than the flashy packaged pumpkin treats anyway).
So, here are my top 10 healthy Trader Joe’s finds for fall.
Real-food style. ✌🏼
1. Pumpkin Pie Spice
This is one of my favorite products from Trader Joe’s EVER. I usually stock up on several bottles and use it throughout the year (because pumpkin spice season should never end imo). The perfect warming blend, great for healthy paleo donuts, pumpkin spice lattes, snacks, and truffles.
2. Organic Pumpkin and Organic Butternut Squash
Another fall necessity – organic pumpkin pureé and organic butternut squash pureé. I use the pumpkin pureé in smoothies and these pumpkin spice power bites. The butternut squash pureé is great for making healthy, creamy sauce (try this cauliflower gnocchi with butternut squash sauce!) or an easy weeknight soup.
3. Ginger Turmeric Herbal Tea
Trader Joe’s has lots of seasonal teas, but this organic ginger turmeric herbal tea is by far my favorite. Luckily, it’s available year-round. No vague “natural flavors,” just simple organic ingredients that are soothing and anti-inflammatory. So grab a good book and cozy up.
4. GT’s Fall Edition Kombucha
If you like kombucha and you like fall flavors you’re going to be OBSESSED with this Fall Edition of GT’s kombucha. Trader Joe’s has some of the best kombucha prices around ($2.99!), so head there to get your fix.
Kombucha is a rich source of probiotics, which helps with digestion and blood sugar regulation.
5. Fall Harvest Salsa
For healthy game day. This salsa is full of fall produce, like pumpkin, butternut squash, and apples. Though it might sound kind of weird, it tastes really good. Especially paired with tortilla chips (#balance) – just opt for organic chips, which ensures they’re non-GMO, or try plantain chips for a grain-free option.
6. Organic Red Wine
Because the holiday season wouldn’t be the same with a little cozy red wine. I love this organic red wine from Trader Joe’s Shaw brand (also: $3.99!).
Conventional wine can have a ton of added ingredients like preservatives, chemicals, added sulfites, and high concentrations of pesticides. But! Organic wine is free of these and is made using sustainable farming methods.
7. Pumpkin Spice RXBAR
RXBARS are one of my favorite on-the-go snacks because they’re made with clean ingredients. This limited-edition pumpkin spice flavor is pretty much everything I could ask for in a packaged food.
8. Organic Maple Syrup
Yes, maple syrup is sugar.
But! Real maple syrup is packed with vitamins and minerals that regular processed table sugar doesn’t have. That’s why pure, organic maple syrup is my favorite sweetener for (healthy-ish) holiday baked goods, this ginger tahini maple sauce, or drizzled on top of some warm oatmeal.
Use it in moderation and enjoy!
9. Cauliflower Gnocchi
While it’s not exclusively a fall item (thankfully), I had to put this cauliflower gnocchi in the mix because there is something so comforting about a bowl of (healthy) gnocchi. Gluten-free, paleo, and made with five simple ingredients: cauliflower, cassava flour, potato starch, extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt. I’m a fan.
My favorite way to use it? In this Cauliflower Gnocchi with Butternut Squash Sauce recipe.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
While no exclusively a fall item at Trader Joe’s this organic apple cider vinegar is a staple for me. I use it in fall dressings, like this ginger tahini maple one or this vegan ranch.
And, it’s great for digestion. Simply mix a capful in a small glass of warm water before meals to stimulate stomach acid production, which helps with digestion (aka the root of most health issues).
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