Trader Joe's Foods Every Mom Should Stock Up On

Since I started regularly grocery shopping in my 20s, I've always admired Trader Joe's for its reasonable prices, unique offerings, and quick-serve options, but it wasn't until I became a mom that I realized that it was the probably the best grocery store on the planet. Not only do those affordable prices mean a lot more to me now that I'm shopping for a family of four, including two children who seem intent on eating their own weights in fresh produce and encased meats every day, but the store's frozen section? It has literally kept me sane for the past six years, making dinner prep (and yes, I am one of those who still makes separate dinners for the adults and the kids; judge away) a million times easier.

So, thank you, Trader Joe's, for helping me feed my unique brand of picky yet constantly hungry children without losing my mind. If you are a TJ's newbie, here are the must-have items you need to add to your cart ASAP and why Trader Joe's is the best place to get them!

01
Bananas
POPSUGAR Photography | Kate Stahl

Bananas

Bananas are inexpensive everywhere, but in my experience, TJ's is the cheapest place to buy them in bulk, which is important if you, like me, have children who will only eat a banana if:

  • It is the perfect shade of yellow without a single brown spot;
  • They peeled it themselves;
  • They managed to do so without breaking it;
  • They discovered zero brown bits inside;
  • And they didn't get any weird banana strings in their mouths during those first couple of bites.

Which is all they'll probably take before they declare themselves done . . . until two hours later, when they'll want another banana.

02
Turkey Corn Dogs
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Turkey Corn Dogs

These little babies have been the bulk of my 3-year-old son's diet for about two years now, and I tell myself that's not something to be too embarrassed about because they're freaking turkey, OK? Plus, they're kind of delicious and a mere 140 calories, so I might occasionally sneak a bite or two.

03
Sliced French Brioche
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Sliced French Brioche

Want to feel like a rock star mom on Saturday or Sunday morning? Buy this already-sliced French brioche, then dip it in a little egg/milk mixture, and make your family the best French toast they've ever eaten. My husband didn't even like French toast until he tried this version. Now he begs me to make it every weekend.

04
Breaded Chicken
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Breaded Chicken

Show me a mom who claims her kids don't love chicken nuggets, and I'll show you a liar. But you don't have to resort to those probably-not-chicken, deep-fried boots that your kids really want. Instead, these breaded chicken tenderloin breasts actually look like real chicken inside and are ready 15 minutes after you pop them into the oven.

05
Cheese Sticks
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Cheese Sticks

Why are cheese sticks so freaking expensive everywhere but Trader Joe's? Go to a fancy grocery, and you get eight of them for like $6, but TJ's offers a ton of different varieties, all with 10 to 12 sticks inside for less than $5. Sold.

06
Bagged Apples
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Bagged Apples

My kids love apples, but they never finish one of those softball-sized ones I find so often at other grocery stores. They leave them under the couch and I find a brown, disgusting piece of fruit two days later. Trader Joe's bagged apples are seriously the perfect size for little kids, and they're so freaking cheap ($3 for a bag of Honeycrisps!) that I don't even care if they don't always finish the whole thing.

07
Make Your Own Pizza Supplies
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Make Your Own Pizza Supplies

Family activity plus dinner is always a hit in my book, which is why I love picking up the pizza dough, bagged shredded cheese, and pizza sauce at TJ's. For less than $10, I get a cheese pizza my kids have fun making and actually eat. One tip: be sure to take the dough out of your refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you want to make your pizza or it's impossible to stretch out. Also, I tend to bake the crust for a few minutes before adding the toppings or the center ends up a bit doughy.

08
Veggie Burgers
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Veggie Burgers

I love a veggie burger, and it's one healthy thing I can usually get my kids to eat, too, so I stock up at Trader Joe's. They have the standard Dr. Praeger's, but recently I've been buying their Carrot & Pea Patties, which are sweet enough to tempt my kids and tasty enough that I am more than happy to eat the leftovers.

09
Yogurt Cups
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Yogurt Cups

If you've ever given your children one of these Trader Joe's fruit and cream yogurt cups, you know they are pretty much the dairy equivalent of crack. Seriously, buy an eight pack and see how long it lasts in your refrigerator. If you make it past day one, well, your kids aren't as big of animals as mine are.

10
Lightly Breaded Fish Sticks
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Lightly Breaded Fish Sticks

Fish sticks are one of those foods that sound gross and retro, but guess what? They're pretty damn tasty. And the reduced-fat version from TJ's is the best version I've found. The breading is light, so they're not as greasy, and the fish inside is flaky and not mushy. Add some peas and ketchup (duh), and you've got yourself a nice little kid dinner.

11
Bambino Pizzas
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Bambino Pizzas

I mean, these pizzas are called "bambino," so obviously your bambinos are going to love them. In each box of cheese or pepperoni pizzas, you get four mini pies, perfectly sized for kid eaters, which means you won't find yourself eating half your kids' leftover pizza — or if you do, it's so tiny it doesn't even count. My kids would eat these every night if I let them, and sometimes, I do.

12
Pretzel Sticks
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Pretzel Sticks

Leave it to Trader Joe's to create a 99-cent bit of fresh-baked deliciousness that works not only as a grocery item but also as the perfect snack to occupy your kids while you're shopping. I never leave without at least one . . . or at least half of one.

13
Reduced-Guilt Mac and Cheese
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Reduced-Guilt Mac and Cheese

When you and your kids can't look at another bowl of Trolls-, Star Wars-, or Dory-shaped, bright orange mac and cheese, sub in this bit of awesomeness. Not only does TJ's reduced-guilt mac actually look like something you might make yourself, but it tastes like it, too. Plus, it's reduced guilt, so it's practically health food, right?

14
Maple Chicken Breakfast Sausage
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Maple Chicken Breakfast Sausage

I, myself, am not a big breakfast meat eater. The men in my life, both big and small, do not agree with my vegetarian-until-dinner eating philosophy, which is why I stock up on these maple chicken breakfast sausages. They're fully cooked, but I still put them in a skillet for a few minutes to brown them up, and they are always gobbled up a few minutes later. They're so good that my son regularly asks for them for lunch and dinner, too.

15
Blueberry Waffles
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Blueberry Waffles

My kids love frozen waffles (shocking, I know), and we have tried pretty much every variety out there. The winners: Eggo's Thick and Fluffy version and Trader Joe's blueberry waffles, which have a subtle sweetness and the perfect combo of crispy outside and moist inside. Plus, they're $2, so win-win.

16
Ice Cream Treats
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Ice Cream Treats

I try not to buy a lot of prepackaged desserts because, when I do, my entire family rails through them as if we've never seen sugar before. However, I can't resist the dessert aisle at Trader Joe's. My favorites: the ice cream quarts in every single flavor (Mint Chip is currently my daughter's favorite), the perfectly kid-size Hold the Cone! ice cream cones, and the Soy Creamy mini vanilla ice cream sandwiches, which, if you have a dairy-free family member, are an absolute must.