Costco & Trader Joes

[trixie42]

Hi Everyone,

I am very patiently waiting for Erik to send me my plan (I always want everything now). I have been reading through some journals and many of you mention that you buy a lot at Costco and Trader Joe's. I know Costco is great for stocking up on proteins, but what other things do you usually buy there? I go to Trader Joe's for nuts but what else do you typically buy to stay on plan? Anything I must get?

Colleen

[Inatic]

i dont feel there are any 'must gets'.. I find everything i need at my local markets. I watch sales and stock up.

Most plans have the basics in choices:
lean proteins,
carbs (br rice, oats/crm of rice), potatoes (swt and white)
asst veggies/salad
nuts/or fats.

Just depends where you like to shop.

The only thing you might want to 'hunt' down is your choice of protein powder depending on what you like/if you use it.

[Rayne]

I'd never gone until last summer, to a Costco...it was fun to just walk around and see what was there. What did i get? Mega packs of SF gum, trail mix, fruit and veg, big boxes of cereal...i didn't have a kitchen at the time or i would have bought a lot more.

Trader Joe's is just mega expensive hippie food, isn't it? :p

[Inatic]

For the most part, in most stores, your only in the produces, meats and dairy (outer most sections) . Same with any of those specialty shops.

[Sohee]

Trader Joe's is just mega expensive hippie food, isn't it? :p

Trader Joe's is actually cheaper than all chain grocery stores. Whole Foods Market is the expensive one.

[Inatic]

Trader Joe's is actually cheaper than all chain grocery stores. Whole Foods Market is the expensive one.

maybe in cali but not ga.

[mackie]

Costco is also a good place to by oats, frozen veggies, and Fage' yogurt.

Trader Joes has excellent deals on some things but not on others. Sometimes they get some nice fresh produce in, at good prices... and you don't have to buy enough for an army, as with Costco.

[daleebd]

Costco and Trader Joe's are in the same mall for us, and we get most of our food at those stores. Love them!

Costco is great for protein which we divide up and freeze, fish and other seafood, fruit and certain vegetables (fresh and frozen), milk and eggs (you can't beat them on those prices), bread, yogurt, organic natural peanut butter, cereal (for the kids), vitamins, and paper goods. They used to carry a great bag of Lundberg brown rice but not any more. They have tons of good choices and prices but we do compare because sometimes it is better to buy a smaller amount elsewhere.

The primary things I get at Trader Joe's are baby carrots, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and other vinegars, yogurt for the kids, bananas, sweet potatoes, mini whole wheat bagels, frozen fish, certain prepared protein (some chicken choices), fat free feta cheese, coffee, tea, beef jerky, flaxmeal, oats, dark chocolate, frozen spinach and asparagus. Once you know what they have and the pricing, you get in a groove and know what to get there.

My favorite cottage cheese (1% Friendship brand) means a trip to Giant but that is on the way home from my guitar lesson so no problem!

I get oat flour and a few other things at a local organic market (near my other gym). We also have a BJs membership and that is great for certain things we can't get elsewhere (like the Polaner All Fruit jam for the kids' sandwiches).

A Wegmans is being built near one of my gyms - I'm looking foward to scouting it out.

Lee

[trixie42]

Thanks for the responses! I figured you get the normal stuff at both places but I also know what aisle everything I buy is in so I rarely do any browsing.