When I tell people I've been a registered dietitian for more than 20 years, the assumption is that I love to eat nutritious foods and cook them myself.I try to mostly eat balanced and nutrient-dense meals that follow the Mediterranean diet, but I don't enjoy spending time planning, cooking, and cleaning. Thankfully, Trader Joe's has some gems that help me feed my entire family (including a picky child).Here are 15 of my must-buys to help create healthy and easy meals without spending too much time in the kitchen.Editor's Note: Product price and availability may vary. Envy apples seem to stay fresh longer. Trader Joe's produce selection varies. Lauren Manaker Envy apples can be added to salads, "girl dinners," or lunchboxes for an extra crunch, a boost of fiber, and balanced sweetness.They're appealing because their insides tend to stay whiter longer, allowing for slicing or chopping without worrying too much about being stuck with discolored fruit. I buy Norwegian farm-raised salmon for a kick of healthy fats and protein. Salmon is a pretty versatile protein. Lauren Manaker Salmon from Norway is known for its pure taste, beautiful color, and firm flesh. Much of that is due to its balanced fat content and firm texture.It's also nutrient-dense, providing essentials such as omega 3; vitamins D, B12, and A; and selenium. Plus, it's incredibly easy to cook, especially if I remember to marinate it the night before. Clif Bars are my go-to for a boost of energy. Trader Joe's tends to carry an array of Clif bars. Lauren Manaker Not loving to cook also means not loving to prep snacks. But because I live an active lifestyle, I know I need to fuel myself with nutrients such as sustainable carbs before I start a workout.Clif Bars are crafted with a blend of plant-based protein, fat, and carbohydrates. They're my go-to pre-workout snack that requires zero effort in the kitchen. The vegan kale, cashew, and basil pesto tastes good on almost everything. Trader Joe's vegan pesto is one of my favorite buys. Lauren Manaker I don't follow a vegan diet, but that doesn't stop me from purchasing Trader Joe's pesto to use on pasta dishes, sandwiches, or as a dip.This pesto is also my secret ingredient in grilled-cheese sandwiches. Trader Joe's fruits-and-greens smoothie blend makes morning smoothies a breeze. Premade blends are great for easy smoothies. Lauren Manaker The blend of frozen produce makes my smoothie-making so easy.There's no chopping or prepping required when I'm in the mood for a breakfast smoothie — I simply toss some into a blender, add milk, and turn it on.  Vegan creamy dill dressing elevates a slew of dishes. Trader Joe's has some great vegan dressings and sauces. Lauren Manaker If it were socially acceptable to drink Trader Joe's vegan creamy dill dressing with a straw, I'd do it. I love that it's free from fillers or emulsifiers, and the flavor is incredibly satisfying. The obvious way to enjoy this dressing is on top of salad. However, I also use it as a saucy addition to chicken or fish meals, an ingredient in grain-based dishes, and a condiment on sandwiches. The organic Mediterranean-style salad kit helps us eat more veggies. Trader Joe's has an array of salad kits available. Lauren Manaker Making a salad isn't extremely labor-intensive. However, opening a salad kit and dumping all of the contents into a bowl is so much easier than procuring and chopping ingredients and coming up with the perfect flavor combo. Trader Joe's Mediterranean salad kit is packed with veggies and a corresponding dressing packet. I love pairing it with protein and starch for a balanced and healthy meal. Trader Joe's prepackaged veggie mixes come in handy. Some mixes have asparagus and mushrooms. Lauren Manaker Veggies are a must at dinnertime in my house. Having prewashed and cut veggie and produce kits, such as the Trader Joe's asparagus sauté, makes cooking dinner a breeze.Simply open the package and sauté everything in some extra-virgin olive oil.  The bulgur pilaf with butternut squash and feta cheese is an easy side dish. Trader Joe's frozen grains can be easy to cook. Lauren Manaker Whole grains can be both nutritious and filling. For those who don't like spending too much time in the kitchen, cooking them can be a tedious task.Precooked frozen grains, such as Trader Joe's bulgur pilaf, help save a ton of time because they just need to be heated through. Plus, this one is made with butternut squash, and I like the boost of veggies in every bite. Riced cauliflower stir-fry is a great base for a low-carb meal. Trader Joe's riced cauliflower stir-fry is fairly low-carb. Lauren Manaker Trader Joe's precooked cauliflower rice is a perfect base for a low-carb meal. I just add a protein for a complete dish. For people who don't love cauliflower rice — but tolerate it because they want to include more veggies in their diet (such as my husband) — mixing this dish with some regular rice can offer the best of both worlds. Hard-boiled eggs are a secret shortcut in my kitchen. I grab already cooked and peeled hard-boiled eggs when I find them. Lauren Manaker Precooked and shelled hard-boiled eggs make for an easy breakfast protein, salad topping, or sandwich addition. Trader Joe's Tarte au Brie et aux Tomates is my solution for pizza night. When I can find it, I grab Trader Joe's Tarte au Brie et aux Tomates. Lauren Manaker Yes, even dietitians want to have pizza night once in a while.Trader Joe's frozen Tarte au Brie et aux Tomates satisfies the fiercest pizza craving. Plus, heating it up takes less time than we'd spend waiting for a pie to be delivered from the local pizzeria.I enjoy one serving along with a side salad for a full meal. Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.This story was originally published on September 25, 2023, and most recently updated on April 16, 2025.