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Keto Approved At Trader Joe’s

And on the seventh day, god invented Trader Joe’s so she’d have a place to shop before meal prepping. That’s how it goes, right? Eh, close enough.

And good news! You can still shop at the holy land even if you’re on the ketogenic (or keto) diet. While grocery shopping when you’re following the plan gets a little tricky—packaged foods are often filled with off-limits ingredients like pesky grains or sugar—there are some packaged foods you can still grab to indulge your TJ’s habit while staying keto-friendly. Here are some of our go-to R.D.’s favorites.

1.Riced Cauliflower

Skip the mess and save time with this carb alternative. “Trader Joe’s offers pre-riced broccoli and cauliflower at a cheap price, which makes it a no-brainer for me,” says Lara Clevenger, R.D.

Per 1/3 package: 30 cal, 0 g fat (0 g sat), 5 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 95 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein.

2.Creamy Almond Butter
Trader Joe’samazon.com
BUY IT ONLINE
$17.36

TJs serves up all kinds of nut butter—almond, peanut, mixed—that are 100 percent nuts with no added sugar. “Nut butters are naturally low in saturated fat and carbs and a rich source of heart-healthy fats, vitamin E, manganese, and magnesium,” says Edwina Clark, R.D., head of nutrition and wellness at Yummly. Dip in celery sticks for a 👌🏾 snack.

Per 2 tablespoons: 190 cal, 17 g fat (1.5 g sat), 7 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 0 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 7 g protein.

3.Roasted Seaweed Snack
Trader Joe’samazon.com
BUY IT ONLINE

$15.89

“Crispy, salty, and a great source of vitamin C and essential iodine, these snacks hit the spot,” says Diana Rodgers, R.D., founder of Sustainable Dish.

Per half package: 30 cal, 0 g fat (0 g sat), 1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 50 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.

4.“ Just a Handful of Olives” Pitted Manzanilla Olives

“These are great for travel or snacking on the go because you don’t have to refrigerate them,” says Jessica Beacom, R.D., co-founder of The Real Food Dietitians.

Per 5 olives (half a pack): 25 cal, 2.5 g fat (0 g sat), <1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 220 mg sodium, <1 g fiber, 0 g protein.

5.Tuna in Olive Oil
trader joe’s amazon.com
BUY IT ONLINE

$34.95

“This is my go-to salad topper,” says Rodgers. “Add some pre-washed spinach, roasted red peppers, and a little lemon juice for an easy lunch.”

Per 2 oz drained: 45 cal, 0.5 g fat (0 g sat), 1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 330 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 8 g protein.

6.Organic Unsweetened Flake Coconut
Trader Joe’samazon.com
BUY IT ONLINE

$12.99

“I like to put coconut flakes in smoothies for texture,” says Kristen Mancinelli, R.D.

Per 1/4 cup serving: 200 cal, 19 g fat (17 g sat), 7 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 10 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 2 g protein.

7.Giotto’s Oven-Baked Cheese Bites
Trader Joe’s amazon.com

$13.50

“Not only do these make a tasty snack, but they’re a fun addition to a salad or entrée,” says Beacom.

Per half-package: 170 cal, 12 g fat (8 g sat), <1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 310 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 15 g protein.

8.New Zealand Grass-Fed Goat’s Milk Sharp Cheddar

“I love the variety of cheeses offered at Trader Joe’s,” says Clevenger. “They’re great for those on a keto diet with food sensitivities.”

Per 1-oz serving: 120 cal, 10 g fat (7 g sat), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 190 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 7 g protein

9.Sardines in Water
Trader Joe’s amazon.com

$23.95

“Since they’re in water, you can control the type of oil and how much you use,” says Beacom. Toss onto a big salad with Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, chopped cucumbers, and feta cheese for lunch.

Per drained can: 130 cal, 7 g fat (1.5 g sat), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 200 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 17 g protein.

10.Roasted & Salty Fancy Mixed Nuts
Trader Joe’samazon.com

$18.83

“Nuts are low in carbohydrates and packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, and vitamin E,” says Clark. Choose an unsalted variety for an even healthier snack. “Just don’t overdo it on the cashews though, as they have a higher carb content then other nuts,” Mancinelli advises.

Per 1/4 cup: 180 cal, 17 g fat (2.5 g sat), 5 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 60 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein.

11.Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Trader Joe’samazon.com

$13.37

“Coconut oil, like any oil, is 100 percent fat with no carbohydrates or protein; over 60 percent is in the form of medium-chain triglycerides, which are highly ketogenic [meaning they increase ketone production],” says Mancinelli.

Per 1 tablespoon: 120 cal, 14 g fat (12 g sat), 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 0 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein.

12.Double Creme Brie with Truffles

“There’s no chance you’ll be craving a dessert if you finish off your meal with a small wedge of this luxurious cheese,” says Rodgers. “Trust me.”

13.Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillets

Whether it’s fresh, frozen, or canned, salmon is packed with protein, omega-3 fats (especially the wild version), B-vitamins, phosphorous, and selenium, says Clark.

14.Avocado’s Number Guacamole to Go

“Buying pre-made guacamole can be dicey because if you can’t finish it all in one meal, the leftovers are pretty unappealing,” says Rodgers. “Trader Joe’s single-serve guacamole tastes great and the portions are perfect.”

Per 2 tablespoons: 60 cal, 5 g fat (1 g sat), 3 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 90 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 1 g protein.

15.Teeny Tiny Avocados

“* love these because you can eat the whole avocado without having to worry about half of it turning brown in the fridge,” says Beacom. “They also seem to ripen faster than large avocados.”

Keto Steak and Egg Florentine Flatbread Pizza

Luckily, last week I hit a really good sale on shredded cheese and stashed a bunch in my freezer, so I had the cheese portion of the pizza on lock down. It had been a long time since I’ve made a breakfast pizza and I had plenty of eggs, so I thought I’d go that route. I wanted to do something a little different with my breakfast pizza this time, so I made e a quick white sauce, added some of the frozen spinach that’s always hanging out in my freezer, and made it into a “florentine” breakfast pizza. OMG, it turned out even better than I had imagined! Creamy, a little garlicky, and oh that golden runny yolk…

I used my super fast 30 minute Thin and Crispy Pizza Crust because I didn’t feel like waiting around for the pizza dough to rise. Add to that the fact that I pretty much always have all of these ingredients on hand means this pizza is going to be happening in my kitchen very, very frequently. This could be bad (bad as in good).

You can use any type of pizza crust that you like, just know that the baking time may differ. Keep an eye on it in the oven (hopefully you have an oven window) and take it out when the cheese and crust are nicely browned on the edges.

Recipe:

Joseph’s Flax Lavash Bread (Or any flatbread/crust you choose. I found that this gets nice and flaky and works best for this style of pizza.)

1 c chopped spinich

4 oz chopped skirt steak

1 c shredded mozerella/itallian cheese

3-4 large eggs

Fresh cracked black pepper

White Sauce

4 tbsp butter

3 cloves chopped garlic

1/2 c heavy whipping cream

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 c grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 500. Move rack to top-most slot.

Melt butter in sauce pan, add in minced garlic, bring to boil.

Add in heavy cream, whisking occasionally, bring to boil.

Add in garlic powder and parmesan, whisk more frequently while boiling until a thick sauce is formed.

Spread in even layer on entire surface of flatbread/crust. This will prevent the edges from burning too much.

Place in oven for 4 minutes, then remove.

Sprinkle thin layer of shredded cheese, add spinich and steak evenly across the flatbread.

Crack eggs in desired locations – crack slowly so you don’t puncture yolks or so they don’t slide too far.

Sprink fresh black pepper over eggs and top flatbread with remaining cheese.

Place back in oven for 7-10 minutes, until eggs are firm and toppings are beginning to brown.

Let cool for about 5-10 minutes to let eggs continue to set.

Cut and serve.

Serving size is half a pizza, and comes to about 8g net carbs.

CHEESY BROCCOLI STUFFED CHICKEN (LOW-CARB, KETO)

Tender cheesy and creamy chicken breasts stuffed with broccoli, garlic, parmesan, cheddar, and cream cheese.

 Course Dinner
 Cuisine American
 Prep Time 15 minutes
 Cook Time 25 minutes
 Total Time 40 minutes
 Servings 4 people

Ingredients

For the chicken

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning optional
  • 1 teaspoon paprika optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the filling

  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/4 cup bell pepper minced
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese or melting cheese of choice
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. To steam broccoli: Chop the broccoli florets into small pieces. Put all the broccoli in a microwave-safebowl and about 2 tablespoons water. add water.  Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, steam on stove-top or blanch in boiling water for 1 minutes.

  2.  Use a sharp knife to slice each chicken breasts horizontally to form a pocket. Be sure not stop cutting about 1/2 inch from the ends and sides. Season chicken breasts with a generous sprinkle of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

  3. In a large bowl, combine the steam and chopped broccoli, bell pepper, garlic, cheeses and salt & Pepper; set aside. Spoon the mixture into each chicken breast evenly. Secure with toothpicks if needed.

  4. Preheat oven to 400F. Heat 1 tablespoons oil in a large cast iron or oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden. Cover with aluminum foil and transfer to preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

Keto Low Carb Grilled Cheese

INGREDIENTS

90 second bread ingredients:
3 TBSP almond flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 TBSP butter melted
1 egg
Cheddar cheese/meats
Seasonings optional: taco seasoning, curry, garlic salt, etc

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a bowl.
2. Add the almond flour, egg, baking powder, seasonings and then whisk together.
3. Dump into the sandwich container (or bowl/mug works). You can do it in a mug for an English muffin or in a square container for “bread shape” . It is best toasted before using as it’s super soft and squishy after cooking.
4. Cook in the microwave for 90 seconds.
5. Take out of the microwave and let cool 20 seconds.
6. Cut bread in half and fill with cheese/meat (if too thin, make 2 slices of bread)
7. Heat butter in a skillet and cook the bread on each side until crisp.

KETO Chicken Parmesan Pizza!

YIELDS:
4 SERVINGS
PREP TIME:
0 HOURS 10 MINS
TOTAL TIME:
0 HOURS 40 MINS

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. ground chicken
3/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan, divided
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 garlic clove, minced
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 c. marinara sauce
1/2 c. freshly shredded mozzarella
Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)
Basil leaves, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400º and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, stir together ground chicken, 1/2 cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic, and season with salt and pepper.
Spray prepared baking sheet cooking spray. Form chicken mixture into a large round crust, about 1/2” thick.
Bake until chicken is cooked through and golden, 20 to 22 minutes. Remove from oven and heat broiler.
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce, leaving a small border around the circumference of the pizza. Top with mozzarella and broil until cheese is melty, 3 to 4 minutes. Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, red pepper flakes if using, and fresh basil.

Keto Approved At Chipotle

Crunchy, salty chips; warm, fluffy burritos; a side of beans and rice—all things that you absolutely can’t eat on the keto diet…and all things that Chipotle churns out on the regular.

So, honestly, you’d think that Chipotle is totally off-limits on the keto diet…right? Don’t stop saving your change yet (for the extra guac—it’s $1.95, remember?). You can definitely find keto-friendly options at the fast-casual Mexican restaurant—and you honestly don’t have to look too hard for them (praise be to the build-your-own option).

A few tips to start you off: Steer clear of the rice and beans (obviously); the burrito, taco, and tortilla chip options are pretty much no-gos too. But aside from all that, you can have a damn delicious (and fat-friendly) meals (salad is a key player—though with all the guac and sour cream you’ll put on it, you may not even be able to call it a salad).

In keeping with Chipotle’s awesome build-your-own setup, here are just a few options you can get at the restaurant—but honestly, it’s super-easy to make your own keto-friendly meal with Chipotle’s nutrition calculator. Just remember that guac is extra (but damn worth it, if you’re keto).

1. Chicken and Steak Burrito Bowl with Fresh Tomato Salsa, Guacamole, and Romaine Lettuce

So, clearly, you can’t get the typical rice-and-beans portion of this burrito bowl, but who says you can’t get extra meat instead? Top your meat with some fresh salsa, guacamole, and romaine lettuce and it’s basically a meat-lover’s taco salad (and pretty damn keto-friendly).

Per serving: 590 calories, 35 g fat (9 g sat fat), 1560 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrates, 2 g sugar, 9 g fiber, 55 g protein.

2. Steak and Chorizo Burrito Bowl with Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa, Sour Cream, Cheese, and Romaine Lettuce

Here’s another extra meat option—this time with chorizo and steak. Nix the guac this time and go crazy on the dairy (sour cream and cheese). But keep the romaine lettuce—veggies are important too.

Per serving: 705 calories, 41 g fat (23.5 g sat fat), 1860 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrates, 2 g sugar, 4 g fiber, 61 g protein.

3. Carnitas Salad with Fajita Vegetables, Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa, and Cheese

Chipotle salads on the keto diet are the epitome of not-boring salads. Add extra veggies to this one for just five grams of carbohydrates. But here’s a tip: Avoid the vinaigrette—one serving will cost you 18 grams of carbs.

Per serving:365 calories, 20 g fat (12 g sat fat), 1055 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrates, 5 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 31 g protein.

4. Vegetarian Salad with Fajita Vegetables, Sour Cream, Cheese, and Guacamole

Vegan keto isn’t exactly a great idea (it’s just too restrictive), but you can probably squeak by as a keto vegetarian. Something to keep in mind here, guacamole has eight grams of carbs, but six grams of dietary fiber—that means it only has two grams of net carbs (what keto dieters really care about).

Per serving: 480 calories, 39 g fat (15.5 g sat fat), 745 mg sodium, 18 g carbohydrates, 6 g sugar, 8 g fiber, 12 g protein.

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Need an excuse to eat more meat? This woman actually switched from a vegan diet to keto and lost 60 pounds:

This Woman Switched From Veganism To The Keto Diet And Lost 60 Pounds
by Women’s Health US

5. Chicken Salad with Fresh Tomato Salsa, Sour Cream, Cheese, and Guacamole

Honestly, this one’s just a classic (you know, minus the rice and beans). And what other diet would let you have sour cream, cheese, and guacamole in the same meal?

Per serving: 685 calories, 46 g fat (18.5 g sat fat), 1605 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrates, 7 g sugar, 9 g fiber, 44 g protein.

6. Barbacoa Salad with Sour Cream, Cheese, and Queso

You know that famous keto dish called “crack chicken” (it’s basically just a super-creamy, cheesy, chicken dish)? Well, consider this Chipotle’s version (it’s got sour cream, cheese, and queso, after all).

Per serving: 540 calories, 32 g fat (20 g sat fat), 880 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrates, 5 g sugar, 1.5 g fiber, 47 g protein.

SUGAR-FREE LOW CARB BUCKEYES

Course Dessert
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 18
Calories 222 kcal

Ingredients

Chocolate coating

  • 7 ounces dark chocolate 85% Lindt
  • 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients into a stand mixer and blend until smooth.
  2. Taste and adjust sweetener if needed.
  3. Using a small cookie scoop make 4 1/2 dozen balls. You could roll them after scooping to make them more precise in shape if you like. I did not as you can see.
  4. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
  5. Freeze for 30 minutes.
  6. Melt chocolate and butter in a microwavable bowl for 30 seconds to a minute. Stir until smooth.
  7. Do half the batch of peanut butter balls and keep the other half in the freezer.
  8. Use a toothpick in center of each peanut butter ball and dunk in melted chocolate.
  9. Place back on baking sheet.
  10. Freeze or refrigerate.
  11. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

Net Carbs: 3.4 per serving

Nutrition Facts
No Bake Low Carb Buckeyes
Amount Per Serving (3 buckeyes)
Calories 222Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 119mg5%
Total Carbohydrates 6g2%
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A3.9%
Calcium0.5%
* Percent Daily Values

Fluffy low-carb Keto bread

Ingredients

3 tablespoons almond flour or 1 tablespoon coconut flour
1 tablespoon butter or oil
1 medium/large egg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl or ramekin. Add the almond flour, egg and baking powder to the butter. Beat with a fork until completely mix.
Microwave for about 90 seconds, until firm. Run a knife along the edge and flip over a plate to release. Slice in half, then toast in the toaster or in a skillet.

Recipe Notes

To Bake in Oven: Use a ramekin and bake at 375 for 10 minutes

Nutrition Facts
90 Second Low Carb Keto Bread
Amount Per Serving (1 bread)
Calories 283Calories from Fat 230
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25.6g39%
Saturated Fat 9.3g47%
Total Carbohydrates 6.9g2%
Dietary Fiber 2.2g9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keto Buffalo Chicken Casserole

INGREDIENTS

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
12 oz. softened cream cheese
1/3 c. buffalo sauce
1/4 c. ranch dressing, plus more for drizzling
1/3 c. sliced green onions, plus more for garnish
1 tbsp. garlic powder
2 c. shredded rotisserie chicken
1/2 c. shredded Cheddar
1/2 c. shredded gouda

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a baking dish, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Bake until tender, 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch, green onions, and garlic powder until combined. Set aside.
Toss rotisserie chicken with roasted cauliflower in baking dish and spread cream cheese mixture on top.
Top with cheddar and gouda and bake until cheese is completely melted and bubbly, 20 minutes.
Let cool 10 minutes, then drizzle with ranch and garnish with green onions or chives and serve.

No-Bake Keto Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse

There are many foods you have to limit or give up when you’re on the ketogenic diet in order to stay within your daily carb allowance. But decadent chocolatey cheesecake doesn’t have to be one of them! In fact, with the rich cream cheese, full fat sour cream, and (we recommend grass-fed) butter, this dessert-for-two is a perfect fit for those working to keep their bodies in ketosis.

As if this sweet treat wasn’t good enough already, it completely no-bake! All you need is a few minutes in the fridge to harden and it’s ready to enjoy. If you’re looking for a small serving to squash a craving instead of a full-on dessert, try making bite-sized versions by piping the mousse onto a lined baking tray or into mini silicone muffin liners before freezing. Then when that craving hits you hard, you can simply pull out a mini chocolate mousse instead of dissolving into a non-keto snack frenzy. You’re welcome.

Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup ground almonds
  • 2 tsp + 3 tbsp dark cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp + 3 tbsp monk fruit sweetener or xylitol
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tsp grass-fed butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup full fat sour cream
  • 1/2 cup full fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup grass-fed butter, room temperature
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • Shaved sugar-free dark chocolate (optional)

Equipment

  • Electric mixer

Method

  • Lightly toast ground almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!
  • In a small bowl combine toasted ground almonds, 2 tsp of cocoa, 2 tsp of sweetener, salt and melted butter. Mix well.
  • Press mixture into the bottom of a small serving bowl. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, beat sour cream with electric mixer until whipped (roughly 3 minutes). Add cream cheese, butter, almond extract, remaining sweetener, and remaining cocoa powder. Beat until mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • Pipe or spoon cheesecake mixture onto the crust lined bowl. Top with shaved sugar-free dark chocolate if desired. Refrigerate for roughly 1 hour until firm. Enjoy chilled!