Healthy Food Finds at Target

On Sunday I spent most of the day shopping alone, one of my favorite pastimes. After a few hours visiting the mall, Nordstrom Rack, and TJ Maxx, I was running out of steam but wanted to squeeze in one last stop at Target. I needed to go to the grocery store but, alas, I wanted to go to Target. Target won because Target always wins!

I had no specific grocery needs, just a refresh on snacks, drinks, and healthy foods to get my husband and I through the week. I went aisle by aisle, as one does at Target while alone, and I was impressed with just how many healthy options Target has. 

Now what's healthy is defined differently by everyone. I lean toward foods that are organic, include ingredient lists that are made of real food, and taste good. My diet includes gluten, seafood, sugar, carbs, and dairy. I do not eat meat (chicken, beef, pork, lamb, etc.) or foods that are made "lite" or "low fat". I don't count calories or macros or anything, really. I love sweets and hate peppers. You do what works for you, honey.

Let's get shopping!

Target's own Archer Farms Salsa Selection

Target has a great selection of Vita Coco Coconut Water. Large and small containers, original and pineapple varieties.

This is the only brand of coconut water that I like. At first I didn't like the taste of coconut water at all, I have since grown to love it. The pineapple variety is AMAZING and makes me dream of sunny beaches.

If you're new to coconut water, try Vita Coco. Add coconut water to a smoothie instead of milk or regular H2O. If you're hungover, chug a COLD coconut water and you'll appreciate it always! 

Vita Coco at Target

You can't miss the bright orange row of Banza Pasta on the Target shelves. Banza is pasta made of chickpeas, instead of traditional flour. Target has all sorts of pasta shapes!

Now, I am Italian and LOVE all types of pasta, especially handmade. For weeknight dinners and packed lunches throughout the week (heyoooo #packedlunchproject) I like Banza for a healthier option. I was HIGHLY skeptical of this voo-doo trend of "fake" pastas. After trying many different kinds, I can tell you honestly that Banza is identical to traditional pasta in terms of texture and flavor. It's delicious!

Target's bright selection of Banza Pasta

While we're on the topic of pasta, what's better than macaroni and cheese? Target carries many varieties of Annie's mac and cheese. Many are organic and some are branded for kids, don't let that stop you! 

My husband was a Velveeta Shells and Cheese fan when we met. That's delicious, but I'd prefer actual cheese to processed cheese product, please. 

Annie's Mac & Cheese lineup at Target

Target has SO MANY varieties of RXBAR. You may recognize these bars as the ones that are made of egg whites, dates, and other healthy, hippie stuff, with the ingredients listed right on the front of each bar. No B.S. included in every bar!

We often buy these at Costco in a large box containing just two flavors and we're a bit burned out on those. Target to the rescue! These photos don't event capture all of the options. Again, there are more varieties marketed to kids, which I also eat and love!

So many types of RXBAR at Target, No B.S. included!

I stoked up with a box of each: LIMITED EDITION (!!) Pumpkin Spice, Peanut Butter Chocolate, and Mint Chocolate. 

My pics of RXBAR flavors from Target

Target's brands of tortilla chips and salsa have been my favorite since before I was old enough to drive myself to the store! Even when I'm not shopping for food, I always grab one of each: Blue Corn with Flax Seed Tortilla Chips and Mango Peach Salsa. If I know we're having friends over, I get two of each, one pair to share and one pair for me!

Target's own tortilla chips ROCK

If you only try ONE of my recommendations, make it this one: Mango Peach Salsa. It is SO SO good. I swear that Target used to make this in a 'medium' spice level, but now it's just medium. I'm a total wimp and sweat a bit just eating medium but the flavor is so delicious that I don't mind suffering through a tiny bit of heat. 

My favorite salsa of all times is Target's Archer Farms Mango Peach!

Target's next stash is that of StarKist Tuna pouches. These were a game changer for me as a new pescatarian. There are a million flavors, you don't need a can opener, and there's no liquid to drain. This is the way to go for a super fast snack or meal on an overly busy day.

Back in college my roommate (Hi, Jessica!) ate the lemon and pepper flavor on her salads all of the time but I never caught on. Recently my cousin (Hello, Miss Halee V!) shared that she keeps these, and crackers, in her desk for emergency food. I've copied her ways and the quick combo of tuna and crackers have saved me on several occasions.  

So many StarKist tuna pouches at Target

The Hot Buffalo Style is my FAVORITE of them all. It's hardly spicy and the flavor is delicious.

Do yourself a favor and stock up on the Hot Buffalo Style tuna, it's not too hot and always at Target

Another product with options galore at Target is Noosa Yogurt. There are 4 packs, singles, and the ones topped with crunchies. 

I am not a big yogurt fan, but Noosa is in a level of it's own. The pumpkin and vanilla flavors are my favorite!

Yogurt is one of those foods where there are a million claims of "lite" and "fat-free" and "part-skim." To each their own, I say, while I prefer to keep things whole and tasty in the process. I'm not a scientist or doctor, but I don't really understand the taking-parts-out-to-save-calories. I'd rather buy the smaller size and eat some fruit or nuts alongside my decadent yogurt.

Noosa on Noosa on Noosa, at Target

Target WINS at the cheese snacks! All brands, all cheese varieties, all shapes. For the third time, maybe these are for kids...I do not care about your rules!

The little Babybel cheese wheels at the bottom are my jam.

Target's got all of the cheese snacks

Target's got a whole gang of Califia Farms jugs. There's almond milk and coconut milk and even coconut almond milk! I typically use unsweetened and plain almond milk in my cappuccinos at home. If I'm making regular/drip coffee I'll get something a little more interesting like toasted coconut or vanilla.

Now you may be wondering why I drink non-dairy milk when I do eat dairy. That's just the reason, because I do eat a good amount of dairy in yogurt, cheese, and so on, I choose to keep my milk sources from elsewhere; almond, coconut, or soy. They're DELICIOUS and are way less gross when you find a travel mug full of unfinished coffee and milk!

Califia Farms coconut milk, almond milk, and a combination of the two, at Target

My Target grocery haul on Sunday also included some organic green grapes, which were amazing, brown eggs, avocados, English Muffins, and some sweet potato crackers. 

My grocery haul from Target

Thanks for running though Target with me! I hope your weekend is wonderful and includes tons of great food and good times.