You can walk into Trader Joe’s with a plan, but come out with a cart full of frozen dinners, household staples, and even beauty products that weren’t on your list. If you’re looking for just a quick bite, the opportunities seem even more endless: There are tons of intriguing, seasonal TJ’s snacks that are just begging for you to try.
And summer is a great time to do so. If you’re looking for refreshing snacks to cool you off, stock up on basics like fruit-forward popsicles, premade smoothies, chilled ready-to-eat foods like gazpacho or salsas, and hydrating produce, Kelsey Lloyd, MS, RD, LDN, tells SELF. Need energy for outdoorsy activities like hiking, swimming, or dancing at a block party? Shelf-stable options that contain a balance of the three macronutrients—carbs, protein, and fat—can help fuel your body on the go, she says. Goodies like dried fruit, trail mixes, or bars with nut butter or jams can do the trick.
Luckily, Trader Joe’s has you covered with fun snack options that can check all those boxes. Not sure where to start? To shape your grocery list, we asked SELF editors, scoured TikTok, visited a few stores, and rounded up 20 summer-friendly, must-shop snacks. Read on for what to grab the next time you visit.