The Best Trader Joe’s Groceries to Buy When You’re Feeling Under the Weather, According to Fans
Fall brings apples, pumpkin spice and something not so nice: The return of cold, flu, COVID, RSV, et al., season. It's an excellent time to check on your supply of Tylenol and test out your thermometer. Another to-do? Stock up on Trader Joe's must-have feel-better-soon foods. One Redditor who already got hit with a bug got the "party" started by crowd-sourcing the best Trader Joe's items for "when you have a bad cold/flu?"
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"[I] caught a terrible bug, and my husband is heading to Trader Joe’s later," wrote u/didyoubutterthepan in the Trader Joe's subreddit. "Any favorite sick time items (soups, drinks, etc.) to eat/drink?"
More than 100 kind Redditors responded with well-wishes and delicious sickness-soothing ideas for Trader Joe's groceries and recipes.
Related: The Popular Trader Joe's Insulated Bag Just Got an Upgrade That's Perfect for Fall
What to Buy at Trader Joe's When You're Sick
1. Soups
Trader Joe's is full of options for this classic sick-day food.
"The kettle-cooked chicken soup—seriously, the perfect soup for a cold," wrote one person. (Sadly, the original poster's husband couldn't find the scratch-made fan-favorite.)
There are plenty of plan B's, though.
"Chicken bone broth—It’s like giving your insides a warm hug," said a Trader Joe's fan.
"I’m sick too," commiserated a Redditor. "It sucks. My fiancé always brings me home the chicken soup. It’s the only thing that I can eat when I’m sick. It doesn’t come with noodles, but what I like to do is put the pork soup dumplings in my soup. I hope you feel better soon!"
Adding dumplings to Trader Joe's broths was a theme. Specifically, the potstickers are a go-to.
"The potstickers and some chicken broth," suggested someone else.
Piping chicken soup is a quintessential recommendation for people not feeling too hot, but it's not your only TJ's option.
"Potstickers and miso ginger broth," another person dished.
"I love the miso ginger broth," concurred someone else. "I add veggie dumplings, frozen broccoli and sometimes noodles — the best thing for a cold."
Speaking of Trader Joe's soup offerings outside of chicken varieties:
"Italian Wedding Soup," suggested a fan.
"[I] just had their frozen cuisine brand French onion soup — [it] came in a two-pack [and it] was so good," raved another.
"I really like the French onion focaccia," a TJ's shopper spilled. "I know it might be considered a touch heavy if you just want soup, but it always makes me feel better."
"A mask for him to wear into the store (no joke), and they used to have this awesome frozen section tomato/bread soup," a Redditor recommended. "[I] highly recommend [t] if he finds it."
Related: Everyone Is Obsessed With the 'Perfect' Spicy Pizza from Trader Joe's—Here's Why
2. Ginger Things
The ginger broth was a much-recommended Trader Joe's sick-season grocery. However, TJ's has some other ginger gems that may help soothe a sore throat.
"The pure ginger tea in powder form—It’s 100% ginger," said one poster.
"The Reed's extra ginger ginger brew is always nice to sip on some ice," recommended a Redditor.
"Spicy honey," another commenter said. "I make lemon ginger tea and add a bunch of it in — clears my sinuses."
"Lemon ginger echinacea juice—feels so soothing," said a shopper.
3. Treats and snacks
Soup, lemon, tea and ginger are old standbys for sick days, but it's also nice to treat yourself when you're not feeling 100%. Redditors had some great ideas in the snack sphere.
"Dark chocolate bars," shared one.
Chocolate may not make a sore throat feel better, but if your throat is fine, this treat may give you life. Should your throat feel scratchy as heck, try this Reddit-backed hack.
"I think when sick people eat chicken soup, it's because the salty broth helps make a sore throat feel better," hypothesized a thoughtful person. "I eat regular salted potato chips when I have a sore throat. [The] chip turns into a salty paste and temporarily heals a sore throat."
And another Redditor went there.
"TJ’s vodka," said the commenter. "It makes me forget that I have a cold or flu."
Bottom's up.
4. The whole kitchen sink
Some Redditors went above and beyond, sharing their sick-season grocery list.
"Their frozen japchae," started one. "Also, the pork bao buns and the vegan frozen green curry. Coconut water, as well. Also, cut pineapple and the soft and juicy dried mango. The rice cake thins are also good if your stomach’s feeling dodgy."
"Manuka honey, cranberry and herb cough drops," shared someone else. "Ginger miso broth, candy cane green tea, which is only sold during the holidays, but the well-rested tea is nice, too. Feel better."
Related: 37 Pumpkin Muffin Recipes Perfect for Sweater Weather
