Target, your favorite destination for clothing and home essentials, also offers a variety of healthy food options that even dietitians appreciate. Target’s quality food products at reasonable prices can give a tough competition to the local grocery stores. From fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to lean proteins like chicken tenderloin, ground turkey, pork tenderloin, and eggs, you can find everything at Target. In addition, the store carries whole grains, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese, along with plant-based alternatives, such as soy milk, oat milk coffee creamer, and plant-based cheese.
"Target has numerous nutritious and healthy foods for the health-conscious," states Mary Wirtz, RD, a registered dietitian and certified sports dietitian, and consultant for Mom Loves Best. Many registered dietitians agree and recommend Target for their grocery shopping. Below are the 25 favorite healthy foods that they often buy from Target. Plus, keep an eye out for the Best Snacks to Buy at Target for Weight Loss while you are at the store.
1) Canned Beans
Canned beans are an affordable and nutritious option for those looking for healthy food choices at Target or any other grocery store. According to Johna Burdeos, a registered dietitian and owner of Dietitian Johna, canned beans are one of the healthiest and most cost-effective plant proteins available.
Canned beans are a great source of protein, fiber, folate, magnesium, and iron, making them a versatile and nutrient-rich food option. They are also shelf-stable and can be used in a variety of meals, including as a last-minute meal when combined with healthy grains like brown rice and quinoa or pasta.
Burdeos suggests mashing canned beans with herbs and spices to make a dip that can be served with whole grain crackers, veggie sticks, pita bread, or toast.
2) Chicken Tikka Masala from Saffron Road
While frozen dinners are often avoided by dietitians due to high levels of processing, Saffron Road's chicken tikka masala is an exception. Unlike other heat-and-serve meals, it is free from preservatives and unpronounceable chemicals.
According to Mia Syn, MS, RD, this meal is not only certified Halal and gluten-free, but also contains chicken that was raised without antibiotics. Additionally, it provides 17 grams of protein and only 2 grams of saturated fat, out of a total of 9 grams of fat. The dish is simmered with tandoori spices and offers an authentic flavor.
3) Organic Quick Cooking Rolled Oats from Bob's Red Mill, Gluten-Free
According to Kristen Nicolai, MS RD, owner of Nutrition By Kristen, "Bob's Red Mill Quick Oats are a staple in my pantry and I use them for everything from a classic oatmeal bowl to baked goods or in smoothies." The oatmeal is naturally gluten-free, and Bob's Red Mill ensures that it is gluten-free through rigorous reviews and testing, making it a safe choice for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerances.
4) Breakfast Cereal: Nature's Path Heritage Flakes
When it comes to buying cereals at Target, it's important to be mindful of the sugar content and choose brands with higher fiber content. One such brand is Nature's Path Heritage Flakes, which registered dietitian Elisa Bremner recommends. With less than 10 grams of sugar and over 3 grams of fiber per serving, these flakes have a satisfying crunch and are delicious when paired with pea milk and sliced bananas for a quick and nutritious breakfast.
5) Good & Gather Frozen Steam-in-Bag Edamame
Good & Gather, which replaced Archer Farms as Target's largest owned food and beverage brand in 2019, offers a variety of healthy food options. The brand's Frozen Steam-in-Bag Edamame is a favorite of registered dietitian Mary Wirtz, RD. She suggests serving it with whole grain brown rice, microwaving it for a quick and easy meal. The edamame is a great source of plant-based protein and can also be enjoyed as a tasty and nutritious snack.
6) Gluten-Free Red Lentil Rotini from Good & Gather
If you are in search of a healthier pasta option, consider lentil pasta, which is an excellent source of protein and fiber. Compared to regular pasta, lentil pasta provides 15 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber in a single serving.
Registered dietitian Kristen Nicolai, MS RD, recommends Good & Gather Gluten Free Red Lentil Rotini from Target as an ideal alternative for people who are unable to consume gluten. Consuming this pasta may help to maintain improved blood sugar balance and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time.
7) Grillo's Pickles
Apart from being a condiment on burgers, pickles can also serve as a great low-calorie and healthy snack to keep in the fridge. Nutritionist Kristen Nicolai suggests opting for pickles with simple ingredients and no added sugars. With just 5 calories per serving, pickles can make a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and dips. And for those who love snacking, you can eat them straight out of the jar!
8) OLIPOP Sparking Tonics
OLIPOP is a healthier version of traditional sodas, and Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, owner of Nutrition Now Counseling, is a big fan of this modern beverage. Unlike traditional sodas, OLIPOP is formulated with "better-for-you" ingredients, such as prebiotics, which balance gut health. OLIPOP has only 2 grams of sugar and 9 grams of fiber.
"If you crave root beer with your meal, but you want to avoid the empty calories, OLIPOP's root beer has that classic taste," says Manaker. "For a satisfying root beer float that supports gut health, mix OLIPOP's root beer with a low-sugar vanilla ice cream."
9) Wonderful No Shell Roasted Salted Pistachios Multipack
Pistachios are an excellent source of protein compared to other popular snack nuts, with more than 10% of the daily value for protein per serving, making them a complete plant protein since they provide all nine essential amino acids.
"The Wonderful No Shell Roasted Salted Pistachios Multipack is an easy way to control portions with just under an ounce of nuts per bag," says Manaker. "The chili roasted variety has a perfect combo of red pepper, garlic, and vinegar, making them a great addition to healthy meals. You can use them as a coating for fish or as a protein addition to salads."
10) Mamma Chia Squeeze Vitality Snack
According to Kristen Nicolai, MS RD, owner of Nutrition By Kristen, chia seeds are a great source of nutrition with their high content of omega-3s and filling fibers. With no added sugar, these blueberry and blackberry chia seed squeeze pouches offer an easy and convenient snack option for people on-the-go. They can be stored in a purse or used as travel snacks to help you maintain a healthy diet.
11) Frozen Blueberries
According to Wirtz, frozen blueberries can provide more antioxidant vitamins than fresh ones because they are picked at peak ripeness and rapidly frozen, preserving their nutrients during transportation and storage in the grocery store. Blueberries are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, which offer a range of health benefits such as promoting heart and brain health and preventing cancer.
Nicolai regularly buys Wyman's Fresh Frozen Wild Blueberries from Target and adds them to plain Greek yogurt. With 6 grams of fiber per cup, wild blueberries are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to various dishes, including oatmeal, muffins, pancakes, and smoothies.
12) Kevin's Natural Foods Cilantro Lime Chicken
With this fully cooked sous-vide chicken and chimichurri sauce, taco night can be a quick and easy affair, taking only five minutes to prepare. Syn notes that this sous-vide entrée is made with wholesome ingredients and caters to different dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. For a complete meal, serve this tasty protein with whole-grain flour tortillas and a side of coleslaw tossed with lime juice and seasonings.
13) Kevin's Natural Foods Korean BBQ-Style Chicken
Manaker appreciates the Korean BBQ taste of this paleo-compliant chicken dish, which is fully sous-vide cooked and ready in just five minutes.
"When I'm pressed for time, this meal provides a well-balanced option with tender chicken that's free from antibiotics and comes with a delectable sweet and spicy sauce. It pairs well with rice, whole-grain bread, or even a salad," Manaker remarks.
14) Primal Kitchen Balsamic Vinaigrette With Avocado Oil
Keeping condiments that you enjoy on hand can be an excellent way to add excitement to healthy meals at home. However, many condiments contain high levels of unhealthy fats, added sugar, and artificial ingredients.
Syn recommends this balsamic vinaigrette because it is crafted using balsamic vinegar, spices, and avocado oil, which is a better-for-you source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. It serves as an ideal marinade for chicken and salmon, roasted sweet potato wedges, and as a dressing for salads.
15) Skippy Natural Peanut Butter
Bremner prefers to purchase the bigger, 40-ounce variant of Skippy Natural as it is long-lasting and generates less plastic waste. She incorporates it in various preparations such as smoothies, dressings, and her preferred snack: apples with peanut butter.
16) Primal Kitchen No Soy Teriyaki Sauce & Marinade
A common misconception is that for individuals who opt for fresh vegetables and lean meats, they must forego the indulgence of heavy sauces and condiments. However, this is not entirely true, as long as one selects the appropriate products and exercises portion control. Wirtz claims that this no soy teriyaki is one of the best options for enhancing the taste of any dish, as it is low in sugar and sodium compared to most condiments, while still offering plenty of flavor.
17) Rao's Homemade Basil Pesto
Wirtz keeps this basil pesto, sourced from a renowned New York restaurant, in her refrigerator as another option for enriching the taste of her dishes. Despite being made from only a few basic ingredients, it offers a great deal of flavor. Wirtz mentions that just a small serving of this pesto is enough to bring out the best in a meal.
18) Applegate Natural Sliced Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Nicolai endorses Applegate's deli meats due to their ethical practices that refrain from antibiotics and nitrates. The turkey, in particular, is a lean protein option, providing 11 grams of protein in just two slices. Nicolai recommends including a couple of these slices in your preferred sandwich for lunch or even pairing them with cheese or fruit for a fast and effortless snack.
19) Honey Mama's Cocoa Truffle Bar
We all occasionally desire a sweet treat, and when Nicolai feels the urge, she prefers to reach for these "healthier-for-you" truffle bars. Nicolai raves that these bars are not only delicious and melt-in-your-mouth, but they are also crafted from minimal ingredients, such as raw cacao, which contains high levels of antioxidants and beneficial compounds, and honey.
20) Whisps Cheddar Cheese Crisps
These cheese snacks are crunchy bites made entirely from baked cheddar cheese and offer 10 grams of protein per serving. Katherine Gomez, a registered dietitian and medical reviewer for Psychemag, recommends using these snacks as a lunchtime treat or as a crispy garnish for soups, salads, and power bowls. Additionally, they make a great topping to sprinkle over chicken or fish to add texture and a savory flavor.
21) Eggland's Best Grade-A Large Eggs
Eggs are recognized as one of the most nutritious foods worldwide. Manaker favors Eggland's Best due to their elevated levels of essential nutrients, including 6 times more vitamin D, 10 times more vitamin E, and 25% less saturated fat than regular eggs. She emphasizes that eggs are versatile and can be used in a variety of meals beyond breakfast, such as adding an egg to fried rice, topping a grain bowl with a poached egg, or even making a classic hard-boiled egg sandwich. The culinary possibilities are boundless.
22) Popcorn
Popcorn is a fiber-rich food that offers numerous health benefits. According to Burdeos, the advantage of popping your popcorn at home is having complete command over the ingredients, including the amount of salt, fat, and sugar added. Bagged popcorns often have unhealthy additives. To add a flavorful twist, Burdeos suggests seasoning the popcorn with a dash of heart-healthy olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, and paprika or chili lime powder, all of which are conveniently accessible at Target.
23) Favorite Day Monster Trail Mix
Gomez maintains a 36-ounce jar of trail mix in her pantry for snacking, which offers a sweet and salty flavor profile consisting of peanuts, M&M's, raisins, chocolate, and peanut butter chips.
According to Gomez, this brand offers an array of delightful flavors, such as dark chocolate espresso, probiotic fruit & yogurt, caramel cashew, among many others.