Entering my neighborhood Trader Joe’s, I usually walk in with good intentions but today, I promise not to stray too far before checking out. The demo table has just put out its latest taste sensation, cauliflower pizza from the frozen food section. It’s light, savory herb goodness is a nice change from the grease, salt and dough versions this native Angeleno grew up with
A couple of slices are still low in calories; the crust is high in potassium, fiber and vitamin c. Long-time employee Amanda is in charge of food samples today. It’s an hour before the lunch rush, so she shares with me some good and not-so-great news about guilt-less snacking.
“People into being fit rave about this pizza. While it flies off the shelves and is healthier than most chain delivery spots, eating it every day isn’t recommended if someone’s watching their waistline.”
“But if there’s no meat…?”, I loudly whisper, wondering if becoming a flexitarian was such a good idea.
“Sorry but the dough also contains cheese as one of the binders. The closest thing to ‘diet pizza’ that we carry is the paper-thin crust without cheese.”
Only the Name Sounds Bad
Moving over to the cold deli section, the meatless options are a curiosity. Almost every item lists seitan (SAY-ten), also known as wheat gluten, as the main ingredient. Although this is a healthier alternative than soy, the amount of gluten one should consume is entirely up to the individual. The Harvard School of Public Health says that gluten can be consumed safely every day if there are no pre-existing conditions, such as an allergy or gastrointestinal disorder.
Their meatless chorizo is another thought for afternoon snacking. While the spices are similar to the milder Mexican (or ground) version, the ingredients leave much to be desired for me. Soy, once heralded as a natural healing tool for women suffering from hormone-related ailments, now has mixed reviews in regard to how much should be consumed.
Seeing Amanda and a few other familiar faces as I make my final round makes me feel grateful. Never in the past few years, has anyone at this location tried to sell me anything I don’t need. Unlike another famous grocer, where I’ve been sold low-grade CoQ10 by an onsite “expert”, this place never pretends to be more than what it is. Trader Joe’s and similar grocers stock food that’s made from real ingredients, is minimally processed, and affordable. No hype and no lies.
