20 Trader Joe's finds for health, beauty, and longevity recommended by Andrea Cox.
Having struggled with an eating disorder during my years as a fitness model, I learned very early that our relationship with food goes far beyond what is sitting on our plate.
Food can become tied to control, appearance, emotion, self-worth, and even our sense of safety.
Healing changed the way I looked at nourishment.
Instead of seeing food as something to fear, restrict, or obsess over, I began seeing whole, living foods as one of the most beautiful ways we can care for the body we have been given.
I've also lived through seasons of having a lot of money and seasons of having very little.
Both taught me something valuable.
You do not have to spend recklessly to nourish yourself well.
After decades of grocery shopping, eating plant-based, working in fitness and holistic wellness coaching, and learning how to make healthy choices in very different financial seasons, I've learned a thing or two about finding the best deals while still choosing the healthiest options possible.
Getting Back to Real Food
We really need to get back to where we started decades and decades ago when most of our food came from gardens, orchards, and local farms.
Life has changed, and while nothing will ever replace growing your own food or shopping locally whenever possible, there is the modern convenience of stores like Trader Joe's.
Fresh organic fruits and vegetables form the colorful foundation of a nourishing, whole-food plant-based lifestyle.
I know Trader Joe's has received a lot of backlash lately, and I understand why.
No grocery store is perfect.
That's why I always encourage reading ingredient labels and choosing the least processed options available.
That said, I've found quite a few wholesome staples there that make healthy eating easier, especially when local produce isn't always available.
Selecting wholesome, budget-friendly pantry and plant-based essentials at Trader Joe's.
My Favorite Healthy Trader Joe's Finds
Here are some of my favorite finds from this carousel:
Fresh Fruits
- Mangoes
- Kiwis
- Watermelon
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Strawberries
Vegetables & Fresh Produce
- Tomatoes & heirloom tomatoes
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Romaine lettuce
- Broccoli
- Bell peppers
- Cucumbers
- Avocados
- Red & yellow onions
- Garlic
- Sweet potatoes
Organic maple syrup, real vanilla bean, and raw almond butter are always essential staples in my pantry.
Pantry & Refrigerator Staples
- Hearts of Palm
- Whole Leaf Organic Aloe Vera Juice
- Organic Dill Pickle Spears
- Julienne Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil
- Organic Unsweetened Vanilla Soy Beverage
- Organic Sicilian Lemon Juice
- Organic Tahini
- Raw Almond Butter
- Organic Vermont Maple Syrup
- Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste
- Well Rested Herbal Tea
Trader Joe's Hearts of Palm are a versatile, nutrient-dense pantry addition for vibrant salads and plant-based dishes.
Organic whole-leaf aloe vera juice is a gentle, soothing staple for digestive wellness and hydration.
Simple refrigerator and pantry picks: unsweetened soy beverage, organic dill pickles, and sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil.
Trader Joe's organic lentil vegetable soup is one of the cleanest, most comforting pre-made soups available.
Combining organic 100% Sicilian lemon juice with organic tahini creates an effortless, mineral-rich homemade dressing.
Healthy Grocery Shopping Is About More Than Price
One thing I've learned over the years is that inexpensive and healthy do not have to be opposites.
When I grocery shop, I'm not simply asking, "Is this cheap?" or "Is this healthy?" I'm looking at the entire picture.
What I Look for When Grocery Shopping
1. How Close Is It to Its Natural State?
The closer a food resembles what came from the earth, the more interested I usually am.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, avocados, nuts, seeds, and simple plant foods form the foundation.
2. What Does the Ingredient Label Say?
A beautiful package does not make something healthy.
Turn it around.
Read the ingredients.
Marketing lives on the front of the package. The truth usually lives on the back.
Always read the fine print on ingredient labels to steer clear of inflammatory, low-quality oils.
3. Will I Actually Use It?
There is nothing economical about buying food that ends up in the trash.
I would rather purchase simple ingredients I know I'll eat than fill my refrigerator with aspirational foods that eventually get thrown away.
4. Can I Find It Locally?
Whenever possible, I still love supporting local growers, orchards, farmers, and seasonal produce.
Trader Joe's is a convenience not a replacement for our connection to the people and land that actually grow our food.
Andrea's Simple Rule
Choose real food first. Read your labels. Buy what you'll actually eat. Shop seasonally when possible. And never assume that expensive automatically means healthier.
You don't have to break the bank for your beauty routine: rose water facial toner, pure jojoba oil, and tea tree oil.
Your skin is the largest organ of your body—keeping your skincare simple and chemical-free is essential.
Trader Joe's fluoride-free whitening toothpaste offers a clean, non-toxic alternative for daily oral care.
Food Can Become a Spiritual Practice
To me, eating has always been about much more than calories. It's one of the simplest ways we honor the body we've been given. When we fill our plates with colorful foods from the earth and pause to give thanks before we eat, nourishment becomes a spiritual practice. Gratitude changes the energy we bring to the table, and I truly believe our bodies respond to that intention.
There is something incredibly grounding about remembering that an apple came from a tree. A tomato grew from a vine. Greens came from soil. Fruit ripened beneath the sun.
The farther our culture moves toward ultra-processed convenience foods, the more important I believe it becomes to consciously reconnect with food in its natural state.
Why Juicing Is Part of My Holistic Wellness Routine
Juicing has been part of my wellness lifestyle for years because it gives me a simple way to incorporate an abundance of fresh plant foods into my day.
For me, it isn't about replacing whole fruits and vegetables. It's one component of a much larger lifestyle centered around plant-based nutrition and juicing, movement, mindfulness, gratitude, and listening to my body.
Watch My Juicing & Morning Routine
Why Juicing Is So Important to Me
Movement Is Another Piece of the Wellness Puzzle
Nutrition is incredibly important, but I've never viewed wellness as one-dimensional.
My background as a fitness model taught me the importance of movement, but my philosophy around exercise has evolved tremendously over the years. Today, I see movement as another opportunity to support and honor my body rather than punish it.
How Often Do I Work Out?
Nourishment Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
At the end of the day, wellness does not have to come from a perfectly curated refrigerator or an impossibly expensive grocery haul.
Start with what is available to you.
Choose more foods that grew from the earth.
Read your labels.
Buy fresh produce when you can.
Support local growers when possible.
Grow something yourself even if it's simply herbs sitting in a sunny window.
And most importantly, begin changing the conversation you have with yourself around food.
Food is not the enemy.
Your body is not the enemy.
Nourishment can be an act of gratitude.
If you are ready to take your health journey deeper and create sustainable daily wellness habits, explore my The Detox Your Life Program or discover my story of healing and transformation.
Do you shop at Trader Joe's? If so, tell me your favorite healthy find below—I always love discovering new staples!