Seriously, who doesn’t love Trader Joe’s? The way they make you feel like you’ve been transported to a tropical island just by walking in to do your weekly shopping alone is worth a visit. Did you know they are, also, a fantastic source of paleo ingredients and foods for outdoor adventures? Let me tell you how to shop Trader Joe’s for paleo hiking and backpacking!
Their bell ringing, friendly stores are scattered throughout the United States and I, personally, have shopped in WA, OR, NV and CO. I seem to find them wherever I roam to hike and they make a great stop for road trips, too! They offer a variety of whole foods, many with gluten and sugar-free options.
How To Shop Trader Joe’s For Paleo Hiking & Backpacking
Trader Joe’s has a plethora of wonderful foods but not everything is paleo friendly. Depending on your needs (high fat, low carb, keto, nightshade free, etc.), it is important to make sure when shopping to read the labels and never take for granted that something won’t be hiding in the ingredient list that you are trying to avoid. Here are a few rules I try to stick to when selecting foods at Trader Joe’s (or anywhere!):
- Avoid canola, soy and vegetable oils with high Omega 6 ratios and excessive food processing.
- Avoid sugar, it is so sneaky! Names like dextrose, maltodextrin, rice syrup, caramel, and 52 other ways sugar can hide in your food. Some of the foods I have listed have it and I limit those to when I am on trail.
- Choose foods without the non-paleo usuals like soy and other legumes, grains, dairy, artificial colors and sweeteners. With some exception I do eat cheese occasionally on trail due to its high fat content and “packability” and I have figured out which ones cause me congestion and which ones don’t (those that are raw, organic, and aged). I make an assumption that any dairy as an ingredient in a food product is standard CAFO.
- Shoot for 5 ingredients or less on the label. Think WHOLE FOODS!
If you have been following me awhile, you have heard me talk about the food items I purchase for home, ingredients for my recipes and delicious treats I take on trail. I thought I would put together a list of my favorite foods so you can keep your eye out the next time you are at ‘Joe’s!
Trader Joe’s For Paleo Recipes
- Coconut oil
- Coconut chips
- Full fat coconut milk and cream
- Shredded coconut
- Coconut aminos
- Nuts
- Dried fruit without added sugar
- Almond and sunflower butter
- Coleslaw mix
- Broccoli rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Prepared horseradish
- Baking ingredients (almond and coconut flour, for example)
- Spices
- Fruits/veggies
- Uncured bacon (get a deal on their “bits & pieces”)
- Freeze dried fruits
- Organic beef and chicken broth
- Capers
- Tahini
- Canned pumpkin
- Canned salmon, sardines and tuna
- Nutritional yeast
- Olive and sesame oils (garlic flavored, too!)
- Guacamole (if you can do nightshades, I haven’t seen one without yet)
Trader Joe’s For Paleo Ready To Eat
- Prosciutto
- Hard and sliced salami
- Individual goat cheese and brie (for primal)
- Plantain chips
- Nuts (raw and roasted)
- Dark chocolate (check for the 100% bars or close to)
- Individual green olive packets
- Dry kalamatas with spice
- Sun-dried tomatoes (if you can do nightshades)
- Lara bars
- TJ fruit bars
- Coconut strips (do contain sugar)
- Coconut oil (individual packets)
- Cocao nibs
- Trail mixes
- Fully cooked chicken sausages
- Coconut water
- Seltzer water
- Kombucha
- Nori snacks (or make your own!)
- Rice crackers (not paleo, just an occasional treat, say, after 100 miles of hiking)
- Kale chips
- Dehydrated vegetables
They even have a Gluten Free Product List for you on their website if you want to know about baked goods and such that are offered gluten-free at some of their stores. I’d be lying if I haven’t tried a few, like their gluten-free Jo-Jo’s (AKA Oreos). Pretty tasty but definitely not something to make a habit of.
Do you shop at Trader Joe’s? Did I miss your favorite TJ’s food? If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, do you have a similar chain like Sprouts Farmer’s Market, for example? Let me know so I can make sure and visit the next time I am in your neck of the woods.
Not sure where your closest Trader Joe’s is? Click HERE for all their locations.
For more ideas about eating paleo out on the trail, check out my How To Go Day Hiking Paleo and How To Go Backpacking Paleo pages. And my Hiking and Backpacking Recipe Index has over 80 recipes to help you enjoy many of these foods on this list!
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