Foods You're Not Buying At Target, But Should Be

When you think of Target, you might not think of groceries, especially not must-buy groceries, but there are a lot of options you shouldn't overlook. In fact, picking up groceries there might minimize the number of other trips you have to make over the course of your already busy day — because let's face it, you're already there. 

So next time you're pushing your red cart up and down the aisles at Target, looking for home decor, toiletries, or other typical Target buys, don't skip the grocery section. You just might find some food that you should buy there instead of somewhere else.

Whether you like to start every morning with a smoothie or you like to mix up a batch of muffins or pancakes each weekend, you should be buying your blueberries in bulk in the frozen section at Target. These blueberries don't have any sugar added, which is exactly the kind you should be looking for. Megan Ware, a registered dietitian, told Shape that these frozen blueberries are an especially good option in the winter, when blueberries aren't in season. She added that since these are wild blueberries, they're higher in antioxidants than other forms of blueberries.

It can sometimes be hard to find a crispy, crunchy, salty snack that you can feel good about reaching for all day long, but this freeze-dried edamame fits the bill. Dietitian Edwina Clark, who's also the head of nutrition and wellness at Yummly, told Self that since they're full of protein and fiber, they'll help you make do in between meals and keep you energized all day long.

You might not think Target is the place to buy your fresh fruit, but for some things, it's a great choice. According to The Kitchn, some of the chain's fresh fruit, like apples, bananas, oranges, lemons, and pineapple are very affordable when compared with prices at grocery stores. That means it's more than worth it to pick those items up when you're at Target instead of waiting until you hit the grocery store later on.

Fancy nut butters are notoriously expensive, but that's not so at Target. According to My Recipes, this is a great thing to buy at Target because the butters are tasty and this one costs less than $10 a jar. If nut butters are part of your regular diet, Target might be one of the best places for you to get them affordably.

In addition to the Market Pantry wild blueberries, you should also buy other kinds of frozen fruits and veggies at Target. Cynthia Sass, a registered dietitian and Health's contributing nutrition editor, told Health that she always picks up frozen fruits and vegetables of all kinds at Target because they're perfect for blending into smoothies or cooking as a side dish when you're short on time. They'll last awhile in your freezer, so you don't have to feel pressured to go through them as quickly as you would go through fresh.

If you drink coffee, chances are you view it as more of a necessity than a specialty item. And if you fit that description, you should consider buying your coffee at Target. According to Delish, not only will they grind beans for you in-store, but the offerings are also usually cheaper than other brands. Coffee can sometimes feel like a pricier necessity, so if you can find some for cheaper, that's a perk.

If you like snack bars, these are a great option that you can pick up at your local Target. According to Self, there's more than a full serving of fruit in each bar, plus, the chia ones are sure to keep you full all day. Cara Harbstreet, a registered dietitian, told Self that these won't stick to your teeth either, unlike so many other fruit bars, so they're a good option for when you still have to interact with people, but haven't had time to run to the bathroom to check your teeth.

Lentils are a healthy vegetarian source of protein, so they're a must to have in your pantry for days when you have nothing in the house and can't get to the store. According to The Kitchn, it's a good idea to buy your lentils at Target, where they're only about $0.99 a pound when they're not on sale. Healthy and affordable.

Spices are expensive pantry staples, so if you can save a little bit of money on them and still get roughly the same quality product, it's often worth it. Wendy Bazilian, a doctor of public health and the author of Eat Clean, Stay Lean, told Health that spice cabinet staples like cinnamon and oregano are often very affordable at Target. If you use them all the time, you definitely want to save money on them when you can.

Pre-riced cauliflower is certainly more expensive than DIY-ing it at home, but there's no doubt that it's more convenient and much simpler. Ware told Shape that this is a good thing to buy at Target because it's a good low-carb swap for rice in some of your meals. If you're at Target anyway, you might as well pick up a couple of bags to try it out.

If you've never had crunchy chickpea snacks, you're missing out. According to Self, one of the best things about these chickpea snacks in particular — which you can pick up at your local Target — is that they come in flavors like Rockin' Ranch, Habanero, and Cinnamon Crunch. Chickpeas are, like lentils, a great source of vegetarian protein, so they're a good midday snack when you need a little bit of a pick-me-up.

I, for one, am pretty obsessed with these snack bars and while you have to purchase them individually at many stores, you can buy them by the box at Target. They're pretty healthy, as Ware told Shape, so you can feel confident that you're giving your body something good in between meals. Even better? Target also sells boxes of RXBARs for kids.

Dark chocolate feels like such a treat and this dark chocolate, which you can buy at Target, is an especially wonderful choice. As Chelsea Elkin, a dietitian, told Self, since they come individually-wrapped, you don't have to worry about figuring out how much a portion should be. All you have to do is eat one square (or more, I won't tell).

If you're not already buying wine at Target, you might want to start. According to Delish, Target's wine cubes are equivalent to four regular bottles, meaning, when you divide it out, each bottle in your box costs less than $5. Not too bad!.

According to Self, this tuna is a good source of both protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which your body needs. It's a good option for lunch, dinner, or as a snack. At just over $2 a can, it's healthy tuna for a relatively reasonable price. You can only find the Simply Balanced brand at Target, so you'll have to go there to pick it up.

LaCroix seems to be everywhere lately, but if it's one of your staples, you should consider buying it at Target. The chain has so many flavors that many other grocery stores don't carry, so you can really mix it up a bit. And with eight packs selling for just over $3, you can mix and match and try a bunch.

Sprouted grain bread is super-healthy. Ware told Shape that sprouted grain breads are the best kinds of bread you can buy. They have fewer (if any) preservatives, added sweeteners, and other processed ingredients, and often contain more nutrients than other types of bread. I keep my sprouted grain bread in the freezer and Ware told Shape that she recommends that you do the same.

The Simply Balanced brand has made healthy staples affordable at Target and quinoa is no different. This bag of organic rainbow quinoa costs less than $5, which is difficult to find at other stores. Also, Ware told Shape that quinoa can increase your protein intake when you swap it for rice. Eat healthfully for less money.