Paleo Gluten Free

Trader Joe’s Whole30 On A Budget

This is my whole30 shopping trip to Trader Joe’s on a budget. This week’s meal plan, prices, shopping list, and brands I shopped for. Easy, accessible, and healthy!  

Budget friendly whole30 meal plan at trader joe’s

Ughhhh… Just moving out. And buying food. It can be stressful!! I realized I’m eating like half what I ate at home just so I can save money (okay, maybe not half ;). But still!!! I am sorry if you are offended because I am talking about money on the blog today, but I think this could be super helpful for you, so keep reading 🙂 .

This goes out to all my college friends out there 🙂 Hahaha. #budgetbutwanttobehealthy

Today I shopped for groceries at Trader Joe’s. This is what I picked up + how much it cost me + what I am going to make with it!

  • Frozen cod pieces (enough for 4-6 meals!)  $4.75
  • Organic chicken breast (3 large breasts) $13.84
  • Ripe avocados (3) $5.37
  • Bagged avocados (4) $3.79
  • Plantain chips $1.69
  • Raw green beans $2.99
  • Canned wild salmon (boneless and skinless) $2.99
pin it for later!
Tips + what I took away from this shopping trip

First of all, canned salmon is expensive!! And I eat it regularly, so… yea

Also, Green beans are a great budget friendly snack! I got a large bag for $2.99. That should last me around five days.

Number three: Be prepared! I forgot my list and meal plan with me, so I was a bit at a loss when it came to remembering what I had to purchase. But I eventually figured it out and didn’t buy ANYTHING I didn’t need (key people! key.) Oh, I also bought lunch for on the go, because I knew I was going to be working from a coffee shop and walking around town. So lunch was a must.

Lunch on the go was:

  • 2 pieces Applegate roasted turkey breast
  • handful of plantain chips
  • handful of fresh green beans
  • 1/2 avocado sprinkled with sea salt
  • Plus a steamed milk from Woods Coffee, because when working… yea.

Oh! Another tip I forgot to mention about this shopping trip: bring my recyclable grocery bag!!! Because here in Bellingham you have to pay for paper bags, so bringing along a grocery bag helps out… like 5 cents. 😂😂

What I am going to make

So, with these finds I am going to make up some yummy whole30 recipes!

Salmon- With the salmon I am planning on mixing it up with mayo, green onions, and bell pepper. Then stuffing avocado halves with it! Lunch. Check! Update: here’s the recipe!

Chicken- I am planning on making shredded chicken salad lettuce wraps with the organic chicken breast. Simply roast the chicken breast then shred, add mayo, apple chunks or grape halves, then some fresh cracked pepper, sea salt, and chopped celery. Yummm. All of that wrapped up in a lettuce leaf will do just fine 🙂 .

Cod- That fresh cod is going to make some mean spicy fish tacos!!!!

Avocados- Makin me some baked avo egg boats!

Green beans and plantains are for snacking.

Stay tuned for ALL THESE RECIPES! I can’t wait to share the whole process and recipes on the blog later this week. Stay in the loop and make sure you get these recipes by signing up for my email list (this is the only way you are guaranteed to get the recipes 😉

other recipes you can make with these ingredients

Zesty herb salmon burgers with lemon asparagus and tzatziki sauce

Creamy avocado pesto zucchini noodles

Greek chicken salad

Homemade crispy plantain chips

Also, I am planning on adding other ingredients I already had in the fridge to these items to make up my complete week’s meal plan. The main ingredients I already had were- eggs, lettuce, mayo, red peppers, and sweet potatoes.

Lastly, I would love to hear what you thought of this post, because I would like to know if you guys are interested in me doing more like this…?? I am thinking of including recipes and weekly meal plans/shopping lists. Thoughts? THANK YOU! xx