I work from home. I always buy these 8 items from Trader Joe's for quick lunches and snacks during the week.

A composite image of Trader Joe's canned beans and Trader Joe's freeze-dried raspberries.
Canned beans and freeze-dried fruits are some of the best Trader Joe's items for easy lunches.
  • I'm a vegetarian who works from home and relies on Trader Joe's items for quick lunches and snacks.
  • Trader Joe's shredded hash browns are perfect for a homemade brunch.
  • Impossible chicken nuggets and Trader Joe's vegetable fried rice make great filling meals.

As someone who works remotely from my Brooklyn apartment, I value quick, easy-to-prep lunches and snacks to keep me full throughout the day.

Once or twice a month, I go to Trader Joe's to stock up on vegetarian staples, frozen foods, and shelf-stable products.

Here are some of my favorite items to buy that keep me fed and fueled up through the workday.

Trader Joe's frozen vegetable fried rice makes a great base for easy lunches.
A bag of Trader Joe's frozen vegetable fried rice.
I love keeping Trader Joe's vegetable fried rice in my freezer.

Trader Joe's frozen vegetable fried rice has a spot of honor in my freezer. I usually spruce it up with some extra chopped vegetables, an egg or two, some edamame, and a drizzle of Sriracha.

It takes less than 10 minutes to make, is just as good as takeout, and costs much less than a lunch special at local restaurants.

I always grab a bag or two of Trader Joe's frozen fruit.
A bag of Trader Joe's frozen raspberries.
I use Trader Joe's frozen fruit to make smoothies.

I've found that Trader Joe's bags of frozen fruit are much cheaper than those at other grocery stores near me.

I drink a lot of midday smoothies, so it makes financial sense to stock up on my beloved frozen berries and mango chunks at Trader Joe's.

Greek yogurt is a versatile staple.
A container of Trader Joe's plain Greek yogurt made with whole milk.
I use Trader Joe's plain Greek yogurt to make a savory sauce.

Trader Joe's plain Greek yogurt can be used in so many different meals. In my opinion, it's as good with granola and fruit as it is a base for a savory sauce, mixed up while I roast a tray of vegetables and legumes in the oven.

I can never have too many cans of beans.
Two cans of Trader Joe's beans in a red shopping cart.
Canned beans are a versatile pantry staple.

I go through enough cans of beans that they're worth lugging home on the subway. I like roasting chickpeas with olive oil, salt, and spices for a crunchy snack.

Recently, I also cooked a delicious white bean soup for dinner and used the leftovers for my lunch the next day.

Trader Joe's shredded potato hash browns are perfect for homemade brunch.
A bag of Trader Joe's shredded potato hash browns.
I add an egg, shredded cheese, and some hot sauce to Trader Joe's shredded potato hash browns.

I love frying up Trader Joe's shredded potato hash browns with an egg, some shredded cheese, and a few shakes of hot sauce.

If I have kale on hand, I'll shred some and cook it on top of the potatoes to add a green vegetable.

Impossible chicken nuggets aren't just for kids.
A bag of Impossible chicken nuggets.
Impossible chicken nuggets have 13 grams of protein per serving.

Do these plant-based chicken nuggets make me feel a bit like an 8-year-old vegetarian? Yes.

But are they a good source of protein for when I remember I'm going to the gym after work and should eat accordingly? Also yes.

I like to make these delicious nuggets in my toaster oven.

Freeze-dried fruit makes oatmeal more fun.
Bags of Trader Joe's freeze-dried raspberries and strawberries.
Trader Joe's freeze-dried strawberries add great texture to oatmeal.

If you can't tell, I love having breakfast foods for lunch. Oatmeal takes just a few minutes to make, is so filling, and is a real choose-your-own-adventure when it comes to toppings.

I love adding Trader Joe's freeze-dried strawberries, which add great flavor and texture. If I want more of an apple pie flavor, I'll cook the oats in applesauce instead of water or milk and mix in some cinnamon and nutmeg.

Sometimes, I even add some Greek yogurt and nuts for a tasty and filling lunch.

Trader Joe's Sublime ice cream sandwiches make the perfect snack.
A box of Trader Joe's Sublime ice cream sandwiches.
The Sublime ice cream sandwiches are my favorite frozen treat from Trader Joe's.

The Sublime ice cream sandwiches make me feel like a kid eating a Chipwich on the beach — even when it's 1 p.m., and I'm about to join a Zoom meeting.

These ice cream sandwiches are my favorite single-serve frozen treat from Trader Joe's.

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

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