Trader Joe's virgin

Jeez I got most of my phase 1 and 2 post of foods at TJs - lighten up guys.  They have great canned salmon, both regular and low sodium.  I keep a stock of that at all times.  I enjoyed them as Salmon salad or salmon patties.  I also got chili and various refried beans for the pureed phase.  I love spicy things, so I always have some of their spicy veggies on hand.  When you are ready - the Turkey meatballs are fantastic and were some of the first solid proteins I ate.  

Unsalted almond butter

Nuts

Love their salad, bagged Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli

Cheese

Great value on their Fage or TJ greek plain no fat yogurt

They have hard boiled eggs.  I buy them as a back up sometimes. 

I keep their Just Grilled Chicken - frozen in the freezer in case I realize I have nothing else for dinner

I get their broths for cooking

I also like their low sodium lunch meats - but I only buy those occasionally

I do keep some Almond milk in the refrig on occasion for recipes or to "shake" up my shakes - unsweetened of course

Their stuff is pretty good.  Buy what looks good and stock it for when you are ready.  It's a fun place.  

I would have found lots of stuff I could eat at 2 months out at Trader Joes (and in fact, did).  I love their jalapeño chicken sausage, chili lime chicken patties, frozen fish (crab stuffed flounder, dover sole), cheeses, lunch meats, and even their eggs and ground turkey and "normal" grocery store items are a good price.  They have grilled chicken strips with balsamic vinegar that I LOVE to this day.  I wasn't eating veggies at 2 months out since I focused only on protein, but once you start to incorporate veggies they have a great selection of kale, brussels sprouts, snow peas, etc.  

Definitely read labels since they have a lot of awesome and convenient frozen food like Indian chicken tikka masala, but it has more carbs than protein.  At 2 months out you will eat small portions so don't be surprised if a package of 6 chicken sausages makes 10 meals ha ha.  I recommend freezing ziplock baggies with 1-2 sausages so you don't waste them.  I was pretty militant and low carb until I hit goal after a year, so I wasn't buying pita chips and desserts or anything at 2 months out.  Depends on if certain foods trigger you - I couldn't have crackers or chips in the house until I got to my goal weight.  Enjoy the trip!

Oh, damn.  I had forgotten about the chicken sausage.  That is always a must from TJ's

It's funny, as great as their food and Value - TJ's has the worst sweets IMHO.  They do have great candy, but their ice cream and cakes, etc. aren't worth it.  I mean really, at my peak I'd buy a cake and toss it.  It just wasn't very good.

I'm 11 weeks and I do the majority of my shopping there. The deli meat, the simply chicken or turkey slices (cold food isle), tons of low-fat and regular cheese options, the low-fat chicken sausage (spicy Italian and Andouille are great), bacon, regular butcher type meat, eggs, dairy (no good yogurt choices other than plain), YES - I eat nuts and they have the best ones there. There are oven baked cheese bites, no sugar spaghetti sauce (recipe 99, love it), red curry sauce, regular condiments, great olive oils, great chicken and miso/ginger broths, chomps meat sticks. Frozen - turkey meatballs, fish, shrimp, crab, chili lime burgers, Bolognese sauce and probably a bunch of other things I can't think of right now. WORTH THE TRIP! Take your time, read the labels and enjoy yourself! I save so much money shopping there.

The only thing I buy there is the Bay Blend coffee. I used to get cheeses for Dear Husband, but I can get those at other stores.

As a RNY patient, I don't find value at TJ unless it is in the form of veggies.   Their foods are high in sugar for us.  The most I have spent there has been on a precooked chicken breast which was just mediocre.  I love their english cucumbers and will go there for those, but it is not a store I frequent often.   

Good luck! 

Thank you all so much! I appreciate your suggestions and am finding that I really like TJ's! It's very close to my surgeon's office which is why I made the trip... 40 lbs down in 7 weeks. I'll take that!

I go there for one thing and one thing only. Their marcona almonds with sea salt and rosemary. They are delicious but you have to maintain control portioning out an ounce for a snack.

even hubby who is not an almond eater loves these.

Don't assume that Trader Joe's food is healthy.  There are many good choices but you have to read labels.  There are many bad choices.  The best thing they have for RNY is their Frozen Riced Cauliflower.  It's the perfect replacement for rice!!