For the past month or so I've been going to Trader Joe's at least once a week to pick up some Weight Watchers approved foods. After feeling very discouraged because I wasn't losing weight I did some research and discovered the world of Weight Watchers Instagrams. I don't know why I didn't think of that before because well, there's Instagram accounts for everything and everyone under the sun.
When I started looking at the accounts I saw that a lot of them were using foods from Trader Joe's. I did some research and saw that Trader Joe's had a lot of low point foods and I immediately made a list to go there.
Trader Joe's is about 20 minutes away from my house and the parking lot is a disaster so I was a little hesitant to make the trip. TJ's is also very small and just overly crowded and it makes me a little nervous. Despite all of this, I made the trip and now I have it down pat.
I don't buy any meat or produce from TJ's as I don't think it's worth it and those are the most crowded areas -- I don't need that kind of stress. I mostly buy frozen foods and some snacks. Over the past month and a half, I've tried a lot of different stuff from Trader Joe's but these are my favorites...
- Mini Chicken Tacos: I think these are my favorite and I buy at least 2 boxes and they last for weeks. 4 of these are 5 points and they really hit the spot. A few minutes in the oven at 450 and they're perfectly crispy. They're my lunch on the weekends and whenever I don't know what to eat for dinner, I'll have them as well. Low points, full of flavor, you cannot go wrong.
- Cauliflower Gnocchi: These popped up on the scene just as I was getting into Trader Joe's and one of the reasons I decided to go to TJ's anyway. I am addicted to them. Gnocchi is usually made with potato but these obviously are not, however they taste just the same. I don't like the boil them so I make them on a skillet and sometimes just eat them plain. I've gotten into the habit of making them with low-calorie Alfredo sauce and it's divine. 1 cup is 4 points so you really cannot go wrong with these to satisfy your pasta craving.
- Cauliflower Pizza Crust: I love anything cauliflower and it's really the only vegetable I eat so I get it in as many ways as I can. I don't use this pizza crust for pizza -- I only have made cheesy bread with low-fat cheese and it's delicious. The crust is a perfect consistency and the cheese melts just right on top of it; it's my favorite side-dish.
- Mini Chicken Wontons: 4 of these are 1 point so really, I HAD to like them. But actually, they're so tasty. Once again I make them on top of the stove with the tiniest bit of oil (or Pam Cooking Spray) and burn them until they're crisp. I usually eat them alone for lunch but you can definitely make an entire meal of them. I have a feeling that once fall and winter come around, I'll attempt making wonton soup -- or at least chicken soup and throw these in there.
- Guilt Free Mac & Cheese: If you want to get me rambling, ask me about this mac & Cheese. I have never eaten anything so delicious in my entire life. I want to bathe in this mac and cheese and never have anything else enter my body for as long as I live. The entire container is 8 points which are the same as a Smart Ones or Lean Cusine (which I usually take for lunch at work) but this tastes 100x better and keeps me full. It is so creamy and has the cheesiest taste ever -- it's damn near perfection. If you buy anything from this post, please let it be this mac & Cheese.
There are probably a few other things I like and consistently buy on my Trader Joe's runs, these 5 are my absolute favorite.
What do you love from Trader Joe's? What do you recommend?
xoxo
B
