I Spent $98.98 on a Week’s Worth of Groceries at Target for My Family— Here’s What I Bought

When grocery shopping, I try to stick to items that appeal to my lifestyle as a busy, working mom of a 6-year-old daughter. I’m not one to shy away from convenience foods, as long as they are nutritious. And, of course, I need to have some items that satisfy my sweet tooth. At the same time, I like to set and stay within a weekly budget. That’s a lot of boxes to check, I know. With grocery prices on the rise and my demanding list of must-haves, I’ve been wondering: What would $100 worth of groceries look like at Target?

Over the past few years, the retailer has really expanded its grocery offerings. What really surprised me, though, was how far my money went at this store, especially considering I opted for many name-brand items. (I also selected several products from two of Target’s own brands.) I ended up with a total of 21 different items in my cart across all the major categories: fresh produce, frozen foods, plant-based items, snacks, meat, dairy, and wine. (Yes, wine is its own category!)

In total, I spent $98.98. Here’s my haul for the week.

Eggs are a staple in my home. But not just any eggs: I’m a loyal Eggland’s Best buyer because the eggs have 25 percent less saturated fat, six times more Vitamin D, and 10 times more Vitamin E compared to ordinary eggs. When I’m feeling motivated, I like to hard-boil six eggs on Sunday afternoons so I have a high-quality, grab-and-go protein source throughout the week. 

Whisps Cheese Crisps are made with real cheese and are a perfect protein source for when I am out and about. (Can you tell? I’m a big fan of protein!) They’re also a great, crunchy addition to salads, bento boxes, and snack mixes. I personally love topping my Caesar salad with these instead of croutons and grated Parmesan.

HIPPEAS Organic Chickpea Puffs are made from the humble (yet mighty!) legume and baked into a light, crunchy puff. This organic snack has four grams of plant protein and three grams of fiber. It’s also vegan, gluten free, and doesn’t contain peanuts, tree nuts, or soy. I love the Vegan White Cheddar flavor, but Nacho Vibes is also great.

This brand is a favorite in my house; it offers a wide variety of snacks that are plant-based. I love the Sea Salt- and Cheddar-flavored Cauliflower Stalks, which are both light and crunchy puffed snacks. They’re also vegan certified and made with real veggies, including cauliflower and cassava.

These frozen bites are a satisfying way to sneak in your favorite fruit — even when it’s not in season. Featuring frozen wild blueberries and Greek yogurt bites, these cups make for a nice mid-afternoon snack.

Prune juice is my secret ingredient in smoothies, overnight oats, and even muffins. The natural sweetness gives my dishes a satisfying taste with no added sugars. And the nutrients found in prune juice help support my digestive health and heart health too!

Wonderful Pistachios are a great plant-protein choice because they’re naturally cholesterol-free and rich in fiber. (I know, again with the protein!) When my daughter finally goes down for the night, my husband and I nosh on handfuls while we enjoy our quiet TV time. As a dietitian, I like that eating these takes a little “work” thanks to the necessary cracking, which slows down our snacking. Plus, the empty shells act as a visual cue to help us eat mindfully.

Made with only two ingredients — apples and strawberries — these plant-based bars have no added sugar and conveniently help us get in our fruit quota when we are on the go. Bonus: They totally satisfy my sweet tooth.

Oats are used in my home in stick-to-your-ribs breakfasts, homemade cookies, meatloafs, and meatballs. Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats are 100% whole-grain, gluten-free, and non-GMO, making them a welcome mainstay in my pantry. 

KIND granola helps me add in some major protein (!!!) when I don’t have time to cook. In fact, a 2/3 cup serving provides 10 grams of protein. And because it is gluten-free, a good source of fiber, and made with hearty ingredients, like buckwheat, millet, and quinoa, including this dark chocolate granola in my morning rotation is a total no-brainer.

Pasta naturally contains essential nutrients like protein, and is enriched with iron and B vitamins; and it doesn’t have added sugar, fat, or sodium like some other refined grains. My go-to on busy nights is cooked farfalle tossed with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and spinach. Before serving, I top it with grilled chicken breast for a balanced and delicious meal. 

Pole-caught and dolphin-safe, this canned tuna makes eating seafood incredibly convenient. I like skipjack tuna because it’s typically lower in mercury than albacore. Eating fresh seafood twice a week is something that I try to do, but for weeks where I simply can’t make it to the store, enjoying a classic tuna sandwich certainly does the trick. 

These frozen yogurt bars are my ideal sweet treat for my family. They’re delicious, appropriately portioned, and contain protein, calcium, and live and active cultures. I am happy to stock them in my freezer all year long.

Frozen veggies are oftentimes just as good for you as fresh options (they’re frozen shortly after they’re harvested, locking in those important vitamins and minerals). I lean on Birds Eye’s a few nights a week when I need a quick veggie side with my meal. After only a few minutes in the microwave, I have perfectly steamed broccoli at my fingertips.  

I work from home and I simply don’t have the time to cook a meal at lunchtime. While many frozen meals are loaded with additives, Tattooed Chef frozen meals are made with quality ingredients (like veggies) and they taste simply amazing. I pair their Plant Based Burrito Bowl with a piece of fresh fruit and a cup of tea for a satisfying and nourishing midday meal that is ready to enjoy in less than five minutes. 

Choosing meats that are humanely raised without antibiotics is important to me, and Applegate helps me accomplish this goal. Their Oven Roasted Turkey Breast is a staple for lunchtime sandwiches. 

My daughter is convinced that the string cheese with Frozen characters on the wrapper tastes better than any other string cheese on the planet. And I am not one to argue with her, especially if buying them means that she happily eats a snack that naturally contains calcium, protein, and other important nutrients for a growing body. I enjoy this cheese as well, and I pair it with a piece of fresh fruit for a balanced and satisfying snack. 

Bananas are another perfectly portable fruit snack that are simple to toss into my daughter’s lunch box or the passenger seat of my husband’s car before he jets off to work. For me, I love snacking on sliced banana with peanut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon for pre-workout fuel. 

Organic whole milk is a staple in my home because it helps support everyone in my family’s health and wellness. I add it to my morning coffee and cereal. I’ll also enjoy a glass on its own.

Lean ground beef is a base for so many simple and nutritious dishes that I make on repeat, including meatloaf, pasta sauces, and hamburgers. As a natural source of zinc, iron, and many other important nutrients, I include beef in my meal rotation to help fuel my family with key vitamins and minerals.

The fermentation process for sourdough bread can lead to an increased number of prebiotic and probiotic-like properties, which help improve gut health. It has a lower glycemic index and glycemic load than white bread and whole-wheat bread that is not fermented. The pre-sliced loaf is also the perfect base for that tuna sandwich.

I am not a huge drinker, but I do enjoy a nice glass of wine with a pasta or steak. Red wine is typically lower in sugar than some other wine varieties. I like choosing smaller bottles of wine (187 milliliters), so I don’t risk wasting an unfinished bottle. My husband and I will split one of these, which is a little more than half a serving and just enough for each of us.

Do you shop at Target for groceries? What sorts of things do you get there?

This post originally ran on Kitchn. See it there: I’m a Registered Dietitian and Spent $98.98 on a Week’s Worth of Groceries at Target — Here’s What I Bought