• I'm a dietitian and former Trader Joe's employee who regularly shops at the store for groceries.
• I like to get boxed mac and cheese and frozen sweet-potato gnocchi to serve with roasted vegetables.
• The chain's satisfying sweets, like Joe-Joe's and fruit-flavored soda, improve my eating experience.

Before becoming a dietitian and intuitive-eating counselor, I was an employee at Trader Joe's.

To this day, I head to the retailer for groceries that keep my meals varied and exciting while following an intuitive-eating framework.

With it, I skip restrictive diets and instead listen to my body's natural hunger and fullness cues to help decide what, when, and how much to eat.

So, I make sure to keep lots of great options on hand in my pantry, fridge, and freezer. Here are some of my favorite things to get at Trader Joe's.

Editor's Note: Product price and availability may vary.

Frozen meatballs are essential for an easy weeknight meal.

For years, I was a vegetarian because I thought that was the best way to be healthy. However, when I became a dietitian, I realized that there is no reason to restrict myself from eating any one food.

These frozen meatballs, for example, have been a staple in some of my meal rotations. I like to combine them with a jar of tomato sauce, spaghetti, a vegetable, and freshly-grated Parmesan for an easy, comforting weeknight meal of mostly pantry and freezer items.

This meal also leaves me feeling full and satisfied because it includes the macronutrients: carbohydrates (pasta), protein (meatballs), fat (parm), and fiber (vegetables).

These dolmas are perfect for dipping.

When I was working at Trader Joe's, I rang up a customer who was purchasing about 20 cans of these. Though this seemed strange to me at first, I understood the hype when I finally tried them.

The dolmas are fairly low-calorie, so I recommend pairing them with a dip or sauce like hummus or tzatziki for a more satisfying snack experience. I also like to add them on top of a Greek salad or use the juice from the package to make a dressing.

To make the dressing, I simply combine the dolma juice with some Greek yogurt to thicken the mixture.

I frequently eat Trader Joe's boxed mac and cheese.

Even as a registered dietitian, I frequently eat boxed mac and cheese.

I love pairing mac and cheese with steamed or roasted broccoli because the florets soak up the cheese sauce and have a fresh flavor that contrasts with the decadent pasta dish.

Adding broccoli also incorporates fiber into the meal, keeping you feeling full and energized for longer.

Fruit wraps are a perfect snack.

Simple carbs, like these fruit wraps, are easily digestible and give you a quick blood-sugar spike for accessible energy. Though simple carbs get a bad rap in the world of dieting, they're your brain's preferred source of fuel.

I like to keep these fruit wraps in my bag when I'm out and about to hold me over until I can get a full meal in.

You can also add a handful of nuts to this snack to slow the absorption of the sugar into your bloodstream and get more sustained energy levels and fullness.

This sweet-potato gnocchi in a sage-butter sauce is delicious.

This gnocchi comes in a delicious sage-butter sauce and makes for a simple weeknight meal. My favorite way to optimize this meal is to add some kind of green, such as green beans or roasted broccoli.

From a nutritional standpoint, this frozen item covers carbohydrates (gnocchi), fat (sage-butter sauce), and fiber (vegetables).

There isn't much protein in this meal, but not every dinner needs to have all the macronutrients. However, adding cut-up chicken sausage is one of my favorite easy ways to incorporate a more robust protein source.

This product is seasonal, and Trader Joe's sometimes discontinues products, but I hope to see it on shelves again.

Trader Joe's channa masala is a great way to get fiber and protein.

When I'm craving warm, comforting foods, Trader Joe's frozen chana masala is one of my favorite hearty meals.

I like to add more carbs to this frozen meal to make it more energy-dense, so I usually eat this saucy curry over rice or with naan.

This meal offers lots of fiber and protein (chickpeas), fat (ghee and oil in the sauce), and carbohydrates (naan or rice). Though there are no rules saying that a meal needs carbs, protein, fat, and fiber, the most satisfying dishes usually include a mix of macronutrients.

These peach halves taste fresh and satisfying.

When I spotted these peach halves, I was transported back to my fruit-cup-eating days in elementary school. Since then, they've become a staple, especially in the colder months when fresh peaches are harder to come by.

I like to cut these up, add them to Greek yogurt with granola, and pour a little bit of the peach juice into the bowl for added sweetness.

Diet culture suggests that fresh fruit is more nutritious than its canned counterpart, but not every food you eat has to be a nutritional powerhouse. You're allowed to eat food, such as these peach halves, simply because it's satisfying.

I even have a place for Joe-Joe's in my diet.

I used to try to eat "clean" and resist sweets, but when my mom would buy Joe-Joe's, I'd end up bingeing on them.

Now, as an intuitive-eating dietitian, I understand that restriction leads to bingeing. Though it may seem counterintuitive, if you feel out of control around a certain food, you should actually keep it around to normalize it.

I have a box of Joe-Joe's in my cabinet that has been sitting there for weeks. I still love them, but I don't feel the urge to eat an entire sleeve in one sitting because I know they are allowed any time I crave them.

The chain's roasted-garlic-chicken sausage is truly versatile.

Chicken sausages can be added to so many dishes, from pasta to salads. They're versatile, and Trader Joe's often has them in different flavors, including roasted garlic.

I usually like to cut the sausage up, combine the pieces with sautéed peppers and onions, and serve the mixture over pasta. In the summer, I slice the sausage, heat the pieces in a pan, and throw them over my salad for an easy source of protein and savory garlic flavor.

You could also eat these on a bun for the ultimate easy comfort food.

This strawberry-rhubarb drink is tasty and not too sweet.

I like having a fruity beverage alongside a savory meal, and I find that this fizzy drink is sweet but not overpowering.

Though diet culture suggests avoiding drinks with added sugar, I say that if this kind of beverage increases the satisfaction of your eating experience, go for it.

When you don't prioritize your satisfaction, you may experience a feeling of low-grade deprivation, so it's better to enjoy your meal and move on with your day. 

Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.

This story was originally published on March 1, 2022, and most recently updated on July 8, 2025.

• The Democratic Party's top official says Elon Musk's third-party gambit shouldn't be taken lightly.
• DNC Chair Ken Martin said that Musk's "America Party" could be successful where others haven't.
• He pointed to Musk's wealth and broad dissatisfaction with the two-party system.

As Elon Musk pledges to form a new political party, the chair of the Democratic National Committee says it's worth taking seriously.

"I don't think we should take it lightly or just suspect — as many of these attempts in the past have failed — that it's going to fail," DNC Chair Ken Martin said on a Monday episode of "Endless Urgency," an online show hosted by Democratic operative Mike Nellis.

The chair laid out two key reasons why Musk's "America Party" could succeed: resources and frustration with both parties.

"You have the richest man in the world, who's going to dump a lot of money and resources trying to stand this up," Martin said. "And my sense of it is that there's definitely frustration in both parties right now with a two-party system, and it could be successful."

Musk spent nearly $300 million to elect President Donald Trump and other Republicans in 2024.

Martin also said that Musk's nascent efforts to create a new party were indicative of the divisions within Trump's coalition.

"It's laying bare that there are deep divisions within this Republican Party," Martin said. "There are the mega-Trumpers, and then there are the sort of conservative traditional Republicans, and then there's the sort of libertarian wing that has also creeped into their party."

The tech titan's political alliance with Trump culminated in the launching of DOGE, only to unravel in epic fashion after several months over Musk's objections to the "Big Beautiful Bill."

Musk has yet to formally register a new political party, but he wouldn't be the first prominent businessman to try to take on America's two-party system.

Trump has dismissed the idea, calling Musk a "train wreck" while saying that the American political system "seems not designed" for third parties.

That may be a mistake, according to Martin.

"I'm not sure how it will impact the elections in the future, but if Elon Musk is serious about this and he's going to dump in billions of dollars, it's going to have to be taken serious by both parties," the Democratic Party leader said.

• Lululemon sued Costco, accusing it of selling apparel that appears to copy the athleisure brand's designs.
• Joe Ng, CEO of fashion studio Shift, compared pants from the two companies in a YouTube video.
• Ng said the Costco pants mostly used common elements and techniques.

An apparel designer has weighed in on the controversy surrounding a pair of Costco pants that bear a striking resemblance to a popular Lululemon design.

Lululemon sued Costco late last month, accusing the warehouse club of infringing its intellectual property rights to several designs, including its ABC style of men's pants, named for its "anti-ball crushing" design.

YouTuber and CEO of fashion studio Shift Fashion Group, Joe Ng, took pairs of each company's pants identified in the complaint and analyzed them against the athleisure company's claims.

His analysis was based on his expertise as a fashion designer and consultant. While Ng isn't a lawyer, his company partners with brands to design and produce apparel. He has a series of videos in which he disassembles popular articles of clothing to see how they are made.

Ng said in the video that he respected Lululemon's superior design but was concerned that the company appears to be trying to assert legal control over several commonly used design elements. This could put smaller companies like his at risk, he said.

A Lululemon spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider, the company invests significantly in research, development, and design for its products.

"We take the responsibility of protecting and enforcing our intellectual property rights very seriously and pursue the appropriate legal action when necessary," the spokesperson said.

Costco did not respond to a request for comment from BI on this story.

The lawsuit focuses on "trade dress," which refers to the outward appearance of a product, rather than its functional features.

US protections for trade dress are typically easier to enforce than functional patents, but design patents only protect elements that are nonfunctional, according to an article on the American Bar Association's website. Think of the iconic Coke bottle shape or the Nike Air Force One sneaker — the appearance doesn't affect how the product is made or used.

However, Ng said in the YouTube video that many of the design elements that Lululemon highlighted in its lawsuit have functional purposes and are used by many designers.

In its complaint, Lululemon said Costco copied several features of the ABC Pants to make its Kirkland Signature 5 Pocket Performance Pant. Those include a crotch "gusset," a rear panel separating the belt loops and pockets, and curved pockets adorned with a "decorative metallic circle."

"When you really look at what a gusset does, it's about having enough fabric here to alleviate pressure from the front and back seams to make it more comfortable for the wearer," Ng said in his video. "What makes the ABC pant anti-ball crushing is the actual gusset itself."

In addition to Costco, several denim and workwear pants from other manufacturers feature a similar crotch gusset for comfort, mobility, and durability.

Ng also said that both the rear panel and the curved pockets with rivets are common features of many denim pants, most notably the 58-year-old design of Levi's 505 jeans.

"Just Google 'five pocket pant,'" he said. "They're going to be present on pretty much all of those pants."

The similarities that Lululemon highlights between the two pants aren't likely to convince a shopper to trade up or down from their respective choice, which is likely based on fit, fabric, and finish, rather than aesthetics, Ng said. Costco's pants cost around $20, while Lululemon's retail for $128.

"Are these alleged dupes comparable to the ABC pant? I would say no," he said. "I don't think that the consumer who is looking to buy this pant is the same consumer who's looking to buy this pant."

While Ng sided with Costco in his assessment of Lululemon's lawsuit, he concluded, as several other reviewers have, that the authentic ABC pants are a much better product.

"Would I be surprised if the Kirkland team drew inspiration from the ABC Pant? Absolutely not. Just as I wouldn't be surprised if the ABC pant team drew inspiration from a pair of denim," he said. "That is how good product development works. You build upon the ideas that come before you."

• Celebrities are flocking to London for Wimbledon 2025.
• Several were spotted wearing high-end watches.
• Nick Jonas wore a Rolex likely worth over $100,000, and David Beckham sported a custom timepiece.

If you've been watching Wimbledon this year, I'll assume your eyes have been glued to the tennis court. (As they should be.)

My eyes, however, keep drifting toward the stands, zeroing in on the wrists of the rich and famous who attend the London tournament, which ends July 13.

From Rolexes to diamond-studded Tudors, celebrity tennis fans seem to be fighting for a title of their own: best timepiece.

David Beckham wore a custom watch he got for his birthday to Wimbledon.

Beckham is a brand ambassador for the Swiss watch company Tudor, which gifted him a custom timepiece for his 50th birthday in May, as the brand confirmed to Business Insider.

On June 30, he pulled out the watch to accessorize his Wimbledon look, pairing it with a cream suit and sunglasses. Tudor did not release details on the watch, but Esquire reported it's a custom version of the brand's Black Bay Chrono.

The steel Chrono retails for $6,050, but Beckham's watch features diamonds nearly everywhere, including the bezel and the hour markers. Given the custom details, the watch likely costs much more than the standard version.

The same day, Eddie Redmayne rocked an Omega watch.

Redmayne modeled in a campaign for Omega's Seamaster Aqua Terra, so it's no surprise he wore the $7,000 watch to Wimbledon.

The face of his steel watch was red, offering a pop of color on Redmayne's neutral-toned ensemble.

Molly-Mae Hague's gold Patek Philippe watch stood out at Wimbledon.

Hague, a reality TV star, influencer, and mogul, has been wearing her Nautilus watch from Patek Philippe since 2021. On July 1, she attended Wimbledon wearing it with a Christian Dior dress.

Most of the Nautilus is rose gold, but it has 56 diamonds on the bezel, adding a high-end touch to the piece.

The watch retails for $72,806 on Patek Philippe's website.

Nick Jonas accessorized his suit with a vintage Rolex.

Jonas attended Wimbledon with Priyanka Chopra Jonas on July 2, showing off a gold watch when he clapped.

The timepiece was a vintage version of Rolex's Day-Date watch, which Jonas was also spotted wearing in April. Made of 18-karat yellow gold, it had diamond detailing on the black face for a touch of glamour.

Though pricing wasn't available for Jonas' specific watch, the modern Day-Date 40 retails for $102,750 on Rolex's website.

Russell Crowe and Britney Theriot took their couple style to the next level with matching Rolexes.

Rather than showing off their couple style by wearing the same color or pattern to Wimbledon, Crowe and Theriot both wore Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches.

Crowe sported the turquoise iteration of the watch, which costs $37,400.

Theriot wore the same watch with a black face and a gold band. It costs $48,400 on the Rolex website.

Kobbie Mainoo made his look pop with a Rolex.

The Manchester United player paired a yellow blouse from Loewe with trousers and a Rolex Day-Date on Friday.

Mainoo's Day-Date 40 has an 18-karat rose gold band in Rolex's "president" style and a striking olive green face for a colorful and modern take on the watch. It retails for $47,500.

An Omega watch peeked out from Glen Powell's sleeve at Wimbledon.

Warren Alfie Baker styled Powell for his appearance at Wimbledon on Saturday. He wore a Brunello Cucinelli suit, which he accessorized with an Omega watch.

Powell wore the brand's $10,600 Constellation watch, which has a leather strap and gold detailing on the bezel.

Andrew Garfield accessorized his all-white look with an Omega watch.

On Sunday, Garfield appeared at Wimbledon wearing Ralph Lauren head to toe. Baker also styled Garfield's look, which included a button-down, trousers, a sweater around his shoulders, and a ball cap.

Garfield added an Omega De Ville Trésor watch to the ensemble. The steel watch costs $7,400 and has a black leather strap.

The actor is an Omega ambassador, and he often wears the De Ville Trésor to events.

Roger Federer sported a Rolex he debuted for the brand in March.

Rolex released its Land-Dweller 40 in March, and Federer, a brand ambassador for Rolex since 2001, starred in the campaign for the watch model.

Federer appeared to wear the same watch at Wimbledon on Monday. He has the white Rolesor version made with Oystersteel and white gold.

Federer's watch costs $15,350, which is the most affordable version of the Land-Dweller. The Land-Dweller 40mm with diamond and platinum detailing retails for $118,050.

• My family lives in Charleston, and we're a four-hour drive from Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
• The mountain town is great to visit in all seasons, with activities from horseback riding to skiing.
• We love the area's slow pace and magical mountain views. We definitely plan to keep going back.

Our favorite family vacation starts with a scenic, four-hour drive. No airports or TSA lines — just us, the car, and endless conversations on what snacks to open next.

For years, we've been making that simple journey from our home in Charleston, South Carolina, to Maggie Valley, a mountain town nestled in the rolling hills of western North Carolina.

For a family like ours, with a 10-year-old daughter who loves skiing and horseback riding, Maggie Valley offers the perfect combination of charm, adventure, and ease.

Maggie Valley's skiing offerings first drew us in

Located about 40 minutes outside Asheville, Maggie Valley has some impressive slopes.

Our daughter caught the skiing bug after a trip out west a few years ago. Since then, we've often considered flying out to hit more highly renowned ski slopes.

When we're not looking to do a ton of planning and shell out a lot of cash on flights, we instead head to Maggie Valley's Cataloochee Ski Area.

It's certainly not Colorado, but there's something magical about skiing somewhere so close to home. The slopes at Cataloochee are family-friendly, well-maintained, and perfect for both beginners and intermediate skiers.

Plus, the resort's smaller scale lets us skip the massive crowds you'd find at bigger spots. No lift lines snaking off into oblivion, just good family fun on the slopes.

To top it off, there's a cozy mountain charm about the whole experience. The staff seems down-to-earth, and the vibe is undeniably less intimidating for someone like me, who's firmly in the "I'll stick to the bunny slopes, thanks" phase of skiing.

And when the day is done, we warm up with hot chocolate and stories of who fell the most that day, which is always me.

We've fallen in love with the town during every season

Although Cataloochee Ski Area brings us to Maggie Valley in winter, this little town offers something special every season.

Spring brings blooming wildflowers and perfect hiking weather, while summer is all about escaping the Charleston heat and enjoying cool mountain breezes.

We especially love to visit Cataloochee Ranch, which is more than just a ranch — it's an experience.

Situated right on the Great Smoky Mountains' doorstep, the ranch offers horseback riding with jaw-dropping panoramic views.

Even if horseback riding isn't your thing (trust me, I'm still awkwardly perfecting my dismount), the ranch is worth a visit just for the peaceful setting and friendly atmosphere.

During our last visit, we took a leathermaking art class, and we all had a blast doing it — even my 55-year-old husband!

Fall is another favorite season here. The autumn leaves burst into brilliant reds and golds so vibrant we'll pull over mid-road trip just to take them all in.

On weekend mornings, we grab warm doughnuts and cider from one of the local spots before heading out to explore the quaint shops and craft markets Maggie Valley has to offer.

We'll happily keep coming back to Maggie Valley

For us, a trip to Maggie Valley requires no rushing, no overplanning, no stress. The town feels like it keeps its own pace, one that makes us slow down and savor small moments.

Whether we're sitting on our cabin porch listening to the gentle rustle of the trees, or grabbing a meal at Joey's Pancake House (pancakes taste better on vacation, obviously), it all feels unhurried and simple.

We love how family-friendly the area is, too. Our daughter gets to ski and also stumble upon other adventures and activities season after season.

One summer, she fell in love with tubing down the nearby rivers. Another autumn, she marveled at the elk sightings in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's the little surprises that keep her excited to come back, no matter the time of year.

And as parents, we're grateful for how budget-friendly the trip is since we don't need to purchase plane tickets.

For us, it's the combination of adventure, tranquility, and that unmistakable Southern charm that keeps Maggie Valley firmly on our vacation radar.

If you're looking for a little mountain magic, do yourself a favor and give this sleepy yet extraordinary town a visit.