If you're a Costco member, you're likely familiar with the retailer's monthly coupon book, which is chock-full of deals available for several weeks at a time. Like clockwork, the latest selection of discounts just dropped today.

From now through Jan. 21, Costco is offering deals on products ranging from big-ticket items like laptops and TVs to household essentials like laundry detergent and snacks. Customers can shop these deals online or in stores, with certain products being discounted in both places. As always, pricing can vary by location and items are typically cheaper in-store. Here are 11 of the best deals you can score at Costco for the next 25 days.

Kirkland Signature K-Cup Pods

As if you needed another reason to stock up on coffee. With the warehouse club's latest deal, shoppers can purchase a 120-count box of Kirkland Signature's K-Cup Pods in-store for $29.99  thanks to a $6 discount. This deal applies to three different coffee roasts, including Pacific Bold, Breakfast Blend, and Summit Roast. All of these are organic and Fair Trade certified. The K-Cup pods are also available online for $31.99.

RELATED: The 15 Best Coffee Chains In America

Kirkland Signature Wild Caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon

Baked, broiled, grilled, or fried—there are numerous ways to enjoy salmon. And now, Costco is giving customers yet another reason to celebrate this versatile fish. Starting today, the Kirkland Signature Wild Caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is $5 off when purchased in-store, bringing the total price to $29.69. Each 3-pound resealable bag contains frozen boneless, skin-on salmon, which clocks in at 38 grams of protein per serving.

Beyond Burger Plant-Based Patties

Grab the ketchup and mustard! Beyond Meat's Plant-Based Burger Patties are now $4.50 off, coming in at $10.99 with this warehouse-only discount. Sold frozen in packs of 10, these patties are a new, revamped Beyond Meat product available exclusively at Costco. According to the company, the patties "are closer in taste to beef." Each one contains 20 grams of protein and is free of soy, gluten, and GMOs.

RELATED: 10 Biggest Changes We Saw At Costco In 2023

Classico Organic Pasta Sauce

Jarred pasta sauce can be a mealtime lifesaver—and one that deserves a spot in your pantry. Now, Costco shoppers can purchase not one, not two, but three jars of Classico Organic Pasta Sauce for $8.69 in-store thanks to a $4 discount. This markdown brings each jar to around $2.17.

Chobani Zero Sugar Greek Yogurt

Whether added to a smoothie, transformed into a parfait, or simply eaten on its own, yogurt is beloved for its versatility. At Costco, shoppers can get this refrigerator staple for $8.99 thanks to a $4.50 discount when purchased at the warehouse. Each box of Chobani Zero Sugar Yogurt features 16 cups, available in four different flavors: strawberry, vanilla, blueberry, and mixed berry.

RELATED: 9 Highest-Protein Yogurts on Grocery Store Shelves

Pure Protein Bars Variety Pack

If you're looking for a quick workout snack, Pure Protein Bars are now on sale online and in-store at Costco. Priced at $20.99 online with a $7 markdown, each variety pack features 23 bars in three different flavors. These include Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Deluxe, and Chewy Chocolate Chip.

Jif/Skippy Peanut Butter

Are you Team Skippy or Team Jif? At Costco, it doesn't matter. The warehouse club is taking $3.30 off two-count packages of creamy and crunchy Jif and Skippy peanut butter, which are sold in 48-ounce jars. This discount brings the total price to $7.69.

RELATED: 20 Best Secret Costco Shopping Hacks Right Now

Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars

The list of discounted peanut products continues with Nature Valley's Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars, which are on sale online and in-store. Now available for $13.99 online with a $5 discount, each box contains 48 bars, allowing shoppers to stock up for future snacking occasions. Each bar is chock-full of peanuts and coated in a peanut and almond butter coating.

Tillamook Medium Cheddar Snack Portions

For another easy on-the-go snack, Costco members can snag a bag of Tillamook Medium Cheddar Snack Portions. Each bag is filled with 52 individually wrapped portions of cheese, which are now $3.50 off in-store. Pick up a bag for $10.99!

RELATED: Costco Just Announced Major Growth Plans With 33 New Locations Opening In 2024

Frito-Lay Oven Baked Chips

Craving something salty? Costco's got you covered. This Frito-Lay Oven Baked Variety Pack features 30 bags of five different baked chip options. The choices include Oven Baked Lay's Original, Oven Baked Cheetos, Oven Baked Lay's Barbecue, Oven Baked Cheetos, Oven Baked Flamin' Hot, and Oven Baked Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream. Available online and in-store, the variety pack is $5 off, coming to $16.99 online.

Nature's Garden Organic Trail Mix Snack Packs

If you're looking for a healthier yet satisfying snack, consider adding trail mix to your shopping cart. At Costco, shoppers can snag 24-count bags of Nature's Garden Organic Trail Mix Snack Packs for $11.49 online with a $3.50 discount. The deal is available in-store as well. These multi-packs feature three trail mix varieties, including Heart Healthy Mix, Omega-3 Deluxe Mix, and Cranberry Health Mix. Each one contains a different combination of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.

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The post 11 Best Costco Deals To Score in January appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Building your own plan for weight loss may help you be more successful than following a generic diet. In building a strategy to meet your needs, think about changes you are willing to make that feel maintainable. Sure, anyone can cut something out of the diet for a week or two, but making changes that can last months, or longer, may allow you to be more successful. Additionally, a weight loss plan should include some activity. Consider your starting point of activity and determine a reasonable increase that feels maintainable, works within limitations you may have, and includes exercise that you look forward to.

Lastly, evaluate your diet and determine areas for improvement. For some, this may be increasing certain foods, like fruits and veggies, and for others avoiding particular items may create more momentum. If you are considering improving your diet for weight loss, here are 10 specific grocery store foods you should avoid to lose weight in 2024.

Cabot Triple Cream Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt

This yogurt option and others that are loaded with added sugar aren't helpful for weight loss. While this yogurt does provide 11 grams of protein per serving, it also contains 21 grams of added sugar. This type of sugar provides little nutritional value, and may actually encourage weight gain. Look for lower and no-sugar yogurt options that are also high in protein for weight loss-friendly snacks and meal components.

RELATED: 9 Highest-Protein Yogurts on Grocery Store Shelves

Jimmy Dean Sausage Croissant Breakfast Sandwich

While this frozen breakfast option is convenient and provides 13 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber, it also comes along with a whopping 26 grams of fat. Fat is an essential nutrient and has a higher satiety value than carbs, but the amount of fat it provides given the total calorie amount is excessive. You would be better off making your own breakfast sandwich at home with a whole grain English muffin that provides more fiber and choosing proteins like egg, cheese, and ham that are much lower in fat. Add a fruit on the side for a balanced meal that serves your weight loss goals.

Cap'n Crunch

A bowl of cereal and milk may make for a quick and easy breakfast option (and one the whole family enjoys), but the sugar content of many cereals can seriously slow weight loss progress. The original Cap'n Crunch cereal packs 16 grams of added sugar in just one cup of cereal and provides no fiber. It also contains only 2 grams of protein and is made with food dyes and colorings, and questionable preservatives. While cereal can be part of a weight loss diet, choose a low-sugar option and pair it with a protein source. For example, serve your high-fiber, low-sugar cereal over plain Greek yogurt for a healthy parfait.

RELATED: 9 Best Healthy Cereals on Grocery Shelves, According to Dietitians

Coca-Cola

It is likely no surprise to see soda on this list, and Coke isn't the only one you should avoid when trying to lose weight. Most traditional sodas have a similar nutrient profile, providing over 50 grams of sugar per 20 oz bottle (but in the case of regular Coke, make that 65 grams!). With many people enjoying multiple servings of soda per day, the grams of sugar climb quickly. If you love carbonated drinks and enjoy the sweetness they provide, look for diet options and those made with stevia, a healthier zero-calorie sweetener. Also, consider skipping sweetened soda and instead try flavored carbonated water that provides no added sugar and contains zero sugar substitutes.

Starbucks Frappuccino Mocha Coffee Drink

Soda isn't the only sugary drink; bottled and prepared coffees can pack a surprising amount of added sugar. This Starbucks option contains 47 grams of added sugar, more than many people should have in an entire day! Coffee drinks that contain dairy milk do provide protein, giving them an advantage over soda, but you are better off sticking with plain ol' joe. Black coffee provides few calories, and adding a splash of milk won't move the needle much either. A teaspoon of sugar provides only 4 grams of sugar, making it much more beneficial for weight loss goals.

RELATED: Every Starbucks Coffee Drink—Ranked by Sugar Content

Wonder Classic White Bread

Bread can absolutely be part of a weight loss diet, but old-school white bread isn't helping you to your goals. While this product is relatively low in calories per slice, it provides added sugar, and minimal fiber and protein. This means it is not as filling as other bread options, and could leave you hungry shortly after your meal. Instead of white bread, go with a whole-grain option. A variety that provides at least 3 grams of fiber per slice (here, it's 1.5 grams per slice), a few grams of protein, and no added sugar is more likely to be satiating and keep you satisfied after your breakfast toast or lunch sandwich.

Skittles

A well-known candy around the world, this sweet treat is a concentrated source of empty calories. With 45 grams of added sugar per serving, and no fiber or protein, there isn't much nutritional value here. Sure, a small portion of candy or other sweets here and there can fit into a weight loss diet, but there are more nutritious options. For example, dark chocolate-covered nuts, a square of dark chocolate, and homemade banana "nice cream" are foods that satisfy a sweet tooth with less added sugar and more nutritional value.

RELATED: What Eating Too Much Sugar Does to Your Body

NutriGrain Breakfast Bar

If this is what you are reaching for breakfast or a morning snack, you're slowing your weight loss progress. Not because it is a high-calorie food, but because its breakdown of calories doesn't make it especially filling. Eating foods that are largely made of empty calories, like this NutriGrain bar, means you are more likely to feel hungry soon after, potentially leading to overeating throughout the day. Not to mention, the added sugar content could make weight gain more likely. If bars are an easy meal and snack option for you, look for one with at least 8 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and fewer than 5 grams of added sugar. The less sugar, the better!

Welch's Fruit Snacks

A common snack in many packed lunches, these fruit snacks won't benefit your weight loss goals. Similar to many of the other items on this list, nearly all of its calories come from added sugar. At only 90 calories a serving, you may think of this as a weight loss-friendly food, but there are countless other snacks under 100 calories that will aid your progress. For example, a single serving of fresh fruit is around the same number of calories and provides a few grams of fiber as well. Additionally, you can get 100-calorie packs of nuts or enjoy a string cheese for a similar number of calories and a better nutrient profile.

RELATED: 8 Best Trader Joe's Snacks for Weight Loss That Are 100 Calories or Less

Bolthouse Farms Strawberry Parfait Smoothie

Bottled smoothies and juices have gained popularity in recent years. While these drinks can be a way to incorporate produce into your day, watch out for options that are loaded with added sugar. This bottled smoothie, for example, contains 28 grams of added sugar. It also provides 11 grams of fiber and 11 grams of protein, which is a plus, but you are better off making your own smoothie without any added sugar. A combination of frozen fruit, plain Greek yogurt, water, and chia seeds in a blender at home makes for a much healthier smoothie that is more likely to support your weight loss goals.

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The post 10 Foods You Must Avoid To Lose Weight in 2024 appeared first on Eat This Not That.

While some stars went on holiday trips to exotic places, others spent this time much like the rest of us: cooking for eight hours, decorating a table, and sharing the evidence on Instagram hours later. From family photos in matching pajamas to outtakes from a day of cooking, social media this week has been one long reel of everyone's favorite holiday moments. We've rounded up our favorite holiday tables from celebs who hosted family and friends at their fabulous homes this year.

1. Joanna Gaines

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Joanna Gaines has been collecting decorative items for her Christmas table for decades, and every year it just gets lovelier. The HGTV host showed off tinted deep green and pale pink glassware, white porcelain vases filled with carefully arranged pink and white flowers, featuring a mix of tulips, roses, and more, and white taper candles in elegant gold holders.

She set one long wood table with green plates on white table settings and the other with blue and white plates on woven wicker placemats. The only thing more gorgeous than her table settings? The sunlight pouring in through her massive windows.

RELATED: 10 Stunning Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas Your Holiday Guests Will Love

2. Victoria Beckham

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The Beckhams kept things cozy this Christmas, as evidenced by Victoria Beckham's post showing David in a Santa hat roaring with laughter as he holds a glass of wine. While we didn't get to see their full dining set up, we did see a handful of very important noteworthy details: a beautifully roasted golden bird fresh out of the oven and garnished with plenty of rosemary, a very healthy pour of red wine in a large glass, a lit-up Christmas wreath hanging behind David's head, and a table full of Christmas cards in the background.

The day before, Victoria also shared what she got her husband as a Christmas gift: a coop full of chickens.

3. Kris Jenner

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The Kardashian-Jenner clan doesn't do anything low-key, and this year's Christmas party was no exception. Momager Kris Jenner posted an in-depth look at the Christmas village built for their festivities, which included all-white lounge seating around low wooden tables topped with candles, a snow-covered collection of Christmas trees, and a gingerbread house-inspired kids' table.

Of course, the family was decked out in their Christmas best as well: gold glitter, sequins, and fur. Live Christmas music was played from a white piano and they all gathered together to sing along to their favorite tunes.

4. Priyanka Chopra Jonas

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas's holiday table this year featured gold and white tablecloths, fine glassware, white taper candles in gold holders, and personalized menus for each guest, which started with butler-passed appetizers of caviar and potato chips topped with chive sour cream.

This was all for a pre-holiday dinner hosted on Dec. 21 with what appears to be a big group of friends, and we love the idea of this tradition.

RELATED: People Are Obsessed with Making This Festive Cocktail That Looks Like a Snow Globe

5. Kate Hudson

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In a post celebrating the lead-up to Christmas, Kate Hudson got sentimental about how much she loves this time of year while sharing photos from around her house. "I love the holidays so much and throughout the years have collected trees, Santa's, music boxes, snow villages, ornaments, and more," she wrote.

The photos from her home show a Christmas tree decked out with glass ornaments, her staircase draped in long garlands and pinecones frosted in fake snow, an ice-cold glass of Mars Iwai Japanese whisky, and a table set with mini Christmas tree figurines and candles set in amber glass holders. Another tablescape featured a real miniature Christmas tree decorated with ribbons and ornaments of its own.

6. Reese Witherspoon

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Reese Witherspoon rang in the holidays with a family Christmas dinner featuring Avaline wine (Cameron Diaz's and Katherine Power's wine company), short-stemmed red roses, gold flatware, and blue-and-white china and place settings. Blue taper candles sat in gold-rimmed glass holders on the main table, while the dessert table featured gold reindeer and yellow tapers in green glass and silver holders, alongside a perfectly decorated set of Christmas cookies and one gorgeous white cake decorated with a frosting wreath.

RELATED: 5 Mindful Holiday Eating Tips, According to a Celebrity Dietitian

7. Martha Stewart

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What did Martha Stewart serve for Christmas dinner? Glad you asked. After skipping out on hosting Thanksgiving this year, the queen of entertaining was back with a bang and serving up a seven-rib roast, which she proudly documented in detail on Instagram.

While her friends Christopher Spitzmiller and Anthony Bellomo served as official hosts, Stewart made the roast herself and shared the rest of the menu on Instagram too: corn pudding, caviar, baby brussels sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, radicchio pomegranate salad, and a Buche de Noel for dessert. She also shared a peek at the table decorations: a floral tablecloth and beautifully arranged flowers.

8. Claudia Schiffer

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Supermodel Claudia Schiffer shared a look at her glamorous Christmas celebration, which included an elegantly decorated tree, a Versace stocking, an impressive collection of nutcrackers, and a decked-out Christmas table featuring a long garland and centerpieces fitted with white taper candles. Colorful red-tinted wine glasses, white linen placemats, silver reindeer heads, and a Nativity scene round out her festive decor.

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The post 8 Most Stunning Celeb Holiday Tables of 2023 appeared first on Eat This Not That.

We believe that groceries should be given the same platform and chance to share their success. These products are truly the backbone of our society—let's face it, we all have to eat—and the grocery world is filled with just as much ingenuity as any other industry. Food and beverage companies are constantly reinventing the food wheel—a process that drives tremendous amounts of excitement and anticipation for what's to come.

Who doesn't experience a bit of a thrill when a new flavor of soda hits the market? Or, when a new company storms onto the grocery scene promising to deliver food unlike anything you've ever seen before.

Both scenarios—as well as many, many more—have taken place this year. We've been introduced to product after product, and some stand out for their brilliance, inventiveness, or just plain deliciousness.

So, here it is. Our version of the 2023 grocery awards for the best new foods and beverages discovered this year—a sort of who's who of the supermarket, if you will. Queue the drumroll and rounds of applause.

Rao's Vodka Arrabbiata Sauce

Rao's is a top pasta sauce choice for chefs and at-home cooks alike. In 2023, the brand was busy in the kitchen, cooking up even more premium recipes to love. In a first wave of product releases in June, Rao's debuted two new soups, and not one, not two, but three new sauces. Among them, the Vodka Arrabbiata caught the eye of consumers. The spicy sauce is a blend of tomatoes, olive oil, onions, red pepper, and both Parmigiano-Reggiano and pecorino Romano cheeses. Initial reviews say it's just as good as, if not better than, the brand's classic marinara and original vodka sauce. That feat in and of itself deserves a resounding bravo, Rao's.

For even more Italian-inspired flavors, you can also check out Rao's line of ketchup released this year. It includes roma tomato, arrabbiata, and truffle varieties.

RELATED: 5 Pasta Sauces That Use the Highest Quality Ingredients

BetterBrand Better Bun

The BetterBrand Better Bun (try saying that five times fast) hit shelves this summer in three different flavors: pretzel, sesame, and brioche. Just like the brand's other products—the Better Bagel that started it all and the Better Roll—these buns are plant-based with fewer carbs, more protein, and no added sugars. The company is reimagining the way we think about carb-heavy foods, and they may have just changed the way we eat burgers and sandwiches forever. You can grab them for yourself at a Thrive Market location or online through the BetterBrand website. Pro tip: Don't forget to store them in your fridge!

ONE Coffee Shop Protein Bars

Have you heard the buzz? ONE Brands gave its consumer base a major energy boost this year with a line of protein bars that are also caffeinated. Each ONE Coffee Shop bar contains 20 grams of protein and 65 mg of caffeine, about the same as a shot of espresso. They come in either vanilla latte or caramel macchiato, the two most popular coffee flavors, and according to ONE Brand General Manager Eric Clawson, they are "made with [ONE Brand's] energy seeking coffee lovers top of mind."

RELATED: 10 Best Protein Bars for Weight Loss

MìLà Soup Dumplings

There's just something about soup dumplings that's so comforting and good for the soul. But, it's also a food that has historically been difficult to get right in frozen form … that is, until now. MìLà's Soup Dumplings hit the market in 2023. You may recognize the brand's memorable packaging, which features a dumpling hot air balloon taking off. These Chinese dumplings come in flavors of classic pork, shrimp and pork, savory chicken, and creamy corn soup with chicken, all of which are wrapped in the brand's five-star rated xiao long bao.

The dumplings have received rave ratings, often referred to as the "best frozen soup dumplings," "moist and flavorful," and some even say they compete with a dish you would find at a reputable restaurant. Find them at Target, Costco, and Sprouts.

Olipop Ginger Ale

Olipop added a new pastel-colored can to its lineup this year, and I've gathered from multiple reliable sources (aka friends and family) that it's the brand's best product to date. The latest prebiotic soda on the market is Ginger Ale, but this isn't the same ginger-based drink that your grandparents grew up with. No, Olipop takes everything you love about classic ginger ale and gives it new life with a "modern, elevated twist and a refreshingly sweet, mildly spiced flavor."

Find it on the shelf next to Olipop's other standout flavors including vintage cola and cream soda at stores like Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods.

RELATED: 10 New Sodas In 2023—and Which Ones You Should and Shouldn't Drink

WunderEggs

Plant-based meats have been a massive trend this year. And, while chicken has certainly come first in the category—made by brands like Beyond Meat and Impossible–we've finally been given a plant-based egg as well. WunderEggs was launched at Whole Foods Markets nationwide in January. The vegan hard-boiled eggs are coconut milk and nut-based and get their protein from potatoes. Consumers say the texture and taste are just like the real thing and are egg-static to have another innovative vegan protein option on the market.

Trader Joe's Mini (Almost) Everything Bagel Sandwich Crackers

Capitalizing on the success of Trader Joe's famed Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, this snack all but broke the internet with its arrival back in May. The sandwich crackers are dressed up to look exactly like a minuscule bagel with schmear, even down to the microscopic hole in the middle. They are adorable no matter how you slice them, and according to customers, they are also just as tasty. One shopper on Instagram describes them as "Perfect little nibbles." Another admitted to eating a whole box in one day before going back for more.

RELATED: The 12 Best Trader Joe's Snacks to Buy Right Now

Blue Diamond Thin Dipped Almonds

Elote Mexican street corn, Korean BBQ, blueberry, and even Carolina reaper are just a taste of the diverse flavor selection of Blue Diamond. But, this year, consumers were going nuts specifically for the brand's new chocolatey Thin Dipped Almonds—an entirely new kind of flavor sensation. Two variations are available including a twice-dipped double dark chocolate and dark chocolate sea salt caramel, and they both have nearly perfect ratings on the company website. One review in particular reads, "Wow, these are my new favorite treat!! Do they come in a bigger bag???? Crunch, crunch …"

La Terra Fina Jalapeño Pepper-Jelly Dip & Spread

The La Terra Fina brand never misses. It always seems to deliver one delicious, crave-able dip after the next. A few flavors that recently hit the market for the first time include dill pickle, caramelized onion with roasted garlic, a dessert dip of chocolate with chocolate chips, and a jalapeño hot pepper jelly dip. All are noteworthy. But, only one earned a spot as one of Progressive Grocer's 2023 Editor Pick's Best New Products. Spoiler alert: It was the latter. The dip is Asian-American-inspired and is a sweet yet spicy mix of cream cheese, mild jalapeños, and tart cherries. Find it at stores like Kroger, Market Basket, and Meijer.

RELATED: Grocery Store Grabs: Spreads and Healthy Dips for Weight Loss

SimplyV Plant-Based Cream Cheese

I am not lactose intolerant, and I am somewhat of a dairy-product fiend. However, I recently tried the SimplyV cream cheese on behalf of a friend who does happen to be dairy-free, and I was flabbergasted by how good it is. The brand is European but brought its cream cheese stateside this year. Instead of milk and cream, the product is made with almonds, coconut oil, and other flavorings. It somehow ends up tasting even creamier and smoother than normal cream cheese. Along with the original—which also happens to be perfect for baking—it comes in strawberry and onion and chive flavors as well.

Wendy's Canned Chili

Wendy's made history this year by entering the grocery sector for the first time, and it's not burgers it's slinging. That's right, the fast food chain is now officially selling its famous chili in cans for consumers to enjoy whenever and wherever they please. The company says the product is "inspired by Wendy's chili recipe" with "hearty seasoned beef, tender peppers, chili beans, and savory spices." It's priced at $4.99 for a 15-ounce can.

While this is new territory for Wendy's, there are plenty of other restaurants that have paved the way with their retail lines. Bob Evans breakfast items and sides, Red Lobster's biscuit mixes, and Olive Garden dressings are just a few that come to mind. And, we'll certainly be cheering the burger joint on as it embarks on this new endeavor.

RELATED: Wendy's Just Launched an Exciting New Holiday Item

Nature's Premium Fruit Pearls

These Nature's Premium Fruit Pearls started rolling out to grocery store shelves earlier this year. They are essentially the healthier, grown-up version of Dippin' Dots and are cryogenically frozen in the same way. You had me at Dippin' Dots. Each tiny sphere is made up of real fruit juice with no artificial sweeteners or corn syrup—the perfect dairy-free and guilt-free snack for any time of day. Available flavors include strawberry banana, strawberry and cream, wildberry, orange and cream, and lemon and cream. They are currently offered in boxes of four 2.3-ounce cups, but more size options are in the works for 2024.

Hidden Valley Pickle Flavored Ranch

Pickle-flavored products have been all the rage in 2023, and this specific product mashup is a pretty big dill. Hidden Valley's new Pickle Flavored Ranch is every Midwesterner's dream (as a Midwesterner, I would know). It adds the perfect amount of extra zest to salads, sandwiches, fries–essentially anything. Reviewers on the company's website found the ranch to be dill-lightful. One comment in particular read, "THIS is soooo good! If you love pickles and you love ranch – don't think, just buy!" You don't have to tell us twice.

RELATED: 9 Best & Worst Ranch Dressings on Store Shelves, Say Dietitians

Reese's Dipped Animal Crackers

We know you're not supposed to play with your food, but these new wild treats from Reese's make it so tempting. The snack is essentially animal crackers—in 13 different species—coated with peanut butter candy and dunked in milk chocolate. They were spotted roaming Costco earlier this year, and members were smitten with their charm. If you're on the hunt for a bag, the crackers can now be found at most retailers including Target, Kroger, Walmart, and Amazon.

Blue Bunny Soft Ice Cream

If you're like me and have a soft spot for ice cream, we have good news for you. One of the most respected names in frozen treats, Blue Bunny, is now serving up a new kind of ice cream. It's soft serve, but instead of getting it from a local ice cream shop, you can store it in your freezer. The scoopable ice cream was originally introduced in five different flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, and cookies and cream. Frosted sugar cookie was also added ahead of the holiday season. All of the tubs have generated positive reviews thus far, but chocolate appears to be leading the pack in terms of favorability with a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on the Blue Bunny website.

RELATED: Customers Complain Starbucks Has Basically Become an Ice Cream Shop

Omsom Saucy Noodles

Watch out Maruchan, Omsom is gunning for your business with an elevated version of instant noodles. The woman-owned brand—previously focused on Asian-style sauces—turned up the heat this summer with the launch of its Saucy Noodles in Whole Foods locations nationwide. They come doused in soy garlic, garlic black pepper, chili sesame, or coconut lemongrass curry sauce, and each one is oh-so-slurpable. But, don't just take our word for it. Real-life consumers say the noods are "fast, fun, and delicious," the "perfect meal," and even "picky teen approved."

Sweet Dreams Cereal

Enjoying a bowl or two of cereal before bed is now considered cool thanks to Post Consumer Brands. Back in February, the company launched Sweet Dreams, the very first cereal that is meant to be eaten at night to promote better sleep. To transform a typical morning meal into a nighttime remedy, Post sprinkles in a few extra ingredients among the whole grains like an herbal blend of lavender and chamomile, plus zinc, folic acid, and B vitamins that support natural melatonin production.

If you habitually have trouble getting those zzz's, don't sleep on this new product. You can get it in two flavors—Blueberry Midnight and Honey Moonglow—at grocery stores nationwide.

RELATED: 10 Life-Changing Products That Can Immediately Improve Your Sleep

Milk Bar Crunchies

Is Milk Bar hiding something highly addictive in its treats? It sure seems that way. One bite of the brand's Confetti Cookie, and I was immediately hooked. Given that experience, I have full trust that this latest invention will not disappoint. The brand-new Milk Bar Crunchies are tiny, bite-sized cookies that remind me of a superior Cookie Crisp cereal, but in more out-of-the-box flavors. The current selection includes Pretzel-y Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Butter Crunch, Cinnamon Toast, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, and the two obligatory holiday options Candy Cane Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Snowball dusted in powdered sugar.

Zoup! Good, Really Good Soups—New Flavors

The Zoup! chain is a great example of an eatery introducing its foods to the retail world. The company started selling its broth in 2020.  A couple of years later, it began ladling its specialty soups into jars to sell at supermarkets. Five soup flavors including Chicken & Riced Cauliflower, Spicy Chicken 'Chilada, Butternut Squash with Brown Butter and Sage, Tomato Bisque, and Garden Vegetable were the chosen ones for the initial rollout. But, 2023 brought an additional four soups to the table: chicken potpie, portabella mushroom bisque, black bean chili, and a gourmet take on chicken noodle. The brand gives store-bought soup a whole new meaning, and you'll want to grab a spoon to experience it for yourself.

RELATED: I Tried 6 Canned Chicken Noodle Soups & the Best Was Loaded with Meat & Veggies

Hellman's Garlic Aioli Dip and Spread

Garlic aioli may be one of the best food inventions of all time—a true culinary masterpiece. It accompanies burgers, sandwiches, fries, and more at both classy and more casual dining establishments. Now you can enjoy all that garlicky goodness at home with Hellman's latest spread. It's made with real roasted garlic, is 100 percent vegan and gluten-free, and comes in a convenient squeezable bottle. Reviews say it's "rich and tangy" with a "velvety smoothness." It's earned the stamp of approval from self-proclaimed garlic-holics, too.

Peanut Butter M&M's Minis

It may be an unpopular opinion, but I tend to think M&M's taste the best in mini form. Maybe it's the novelty of getting to shake them into your mouth from the tube or the cuteness of their size. Either way, I was beyond excited about the launch of Peanut Butter Minis in September. This is M&M's second mini-product, and I found them to be just as satisfying as the originals. They provide the slightest bit of smooth peanut butter and are also perfect for baking. I will be whipping up some cookies with them for the holidays.

RELATED: 6 Grocery Chains With the Best Candy Selections

Sweet Loren's Breakfast Biscuits

From humble beginnings in 2009, Sweet Loren's has become a force in the dessert aisle with its line of dairy-free and gluten-free cookie doughs. In 2023, the brand baked up a sweet surprise for its customers. Sweet Loren's officially threw its hat in the breakfast ring this year with the launch of its Chocolate, Cinnamon Sugar, and Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits. Just like the brand's cookie dough, these breakfast biscuits are crafted with "only clean ingredients" that are plant-based. They are shelf-stable–perfect to have on hand at home or on the go. They couldn't have come at a better time either, introduced right as another popular health-conscious brand Enjoy Life retired all of its baked goods including its Breakfast Ovals and other snack bars.

Liquid Death Iced Teas

Liquid Death has been murdering consumers' thirst since 2019. It has done so using water and sparkling water as its weapons of choice. In 2023, the brand began to spill over into another beverage category. In March, Liquid Death announced the launch of three canned iced teas, each with its unique flavor profile and clever death-inspired name. Rest in Peach offers a self-explanatory taste. Dead Billionaire (previously named Armless Palmer before an unnamed company threatened to sue for use of the name) combines half tea and half lemonade. And, Grim Leafer is a classic black tea. One consumer found the latter to be so good, that he wrote, "I'd sell my soul for it over and over again" in his review on the product page.

RELATED: 7 Easy Ways To Drink More Water & Stay Hydrated

Goodles Boxed Pasta

With a name like Goodles, it has to be good. The brand—which was cocreated by actress Gal Gadot (cool right?)–first proved this with its better-for-you boxed mac and cheese. And, in 2023 it wowed foodies yet again with a line of nutrient-packed boxed pasta noodles. Lucky Penne, Loopdy-Loos (a more amusing name for cavatappi), and Curveballs (aka pipette noodles) are all now up for grabs at Target and Whole Foods. They are made with key ingredients like semolina, wheat flour, and chickpea protein and are currently batting a thousand with customers. One reviewer on the Goodles website writes of the penne, "The texture is perfect, the chew is perfect. So good."

Jeni's Biscuits with the Boss Ice Cream

Jeni's, which started out of Columbus, Ohio, has always had a special place in my heart as a born and bred Ohioan. But, my love for the shop grew even stronger this year when it debuted this artisanal ice cream flavor inspired by the feel-good show "Ted Lasso." Meant to imitate the biscuits Ted bakes for his boss Rebecca in the show every day, this pint includes homemade shortbread, buttery cream, and flaky sea salt. And, you better believe it's as good as it sounds. The ice cream was released days ahead of the show's season three premiere and was yet another one of Jeni's successful collaborations.

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You don't have to break the bank to get a good bottle of sparkling wine. Nowadays, thanks in part to private-label winemakers, you can even grab a nice bottle of legit Champagne—a sparkling wine made in France's Champagne region—without shelling out a ton of money. Case in point: Costco's Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne, a delightfully fizzy, legitimate Champagne with an almost unbelievable $20 price tag, given that most entry-level Champagnes start around $40. (It's also a top pick of some sommeliers!)

Whether you like indulging in an inexpensive bottle of red wine or a favorite from Trader Joe's wine aisle, budget-friendly bubbles are always a crowd-pleaser—especially for special occasions where libations flow freely. Add a touch of excitement to end-of-year bashes by picking up one of these sommelier-approved bottles for under $25 and get ready to party.

Juvé & Camps Reserva de la Familia Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava

Erin O'Reilly, a wine educator and blogger at Terravenos, says finding a true Champagne for under $25 in her area is difficult. Instead, she looks for bottles made in the traditional Champagne method, which involves allowing wines to age for extended periods "on lees," which gives the wine complexity. (Lees aging refers to the process of letting wines mature for months or years on top of spent yeast.) "Brioche, toast, and finesse—I want sparkling wines that taste like I'm enjoying apple pie or lemon tart," she says.

She recommends this golden-hued cava from Juvé & Camps, which is aged for 36 months and boasts a creamy mousse. "You'll find golden apple, grapefruit, white peach, apricot, quince, white flower, grassy notes, and a playful, bright acidity with more depth than a typical prosecco, making this a perfect bubbly for toasting or meals," O'Reilly says. This bottle retails for around $20—a total steal. "You get the complexity that comes with lengthy lees aging, brioche, and toast, but at a fraction of the Champagne price."

RELATED: 10 Best Wines Under $20 To Bring to All Your Holiday Parties, According to Sommeliers

Gruet Blanc de Noirs Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine

Gruet uses the famous Champagne method for this bottle, which means, according to O'Reilly, that "you're getting everything except the official 'Champagne' name on the label—and the price tag." For that reason, Gruet has earned a place in O'Reilly's cellar as an affordable, casual sparkler. "It's consistently fantastic quality for value," she says. At around $19, this bottle boasts a pale salmon color and notes of golden apple, berry, baked pear, and a creamy spice finish. "It has that rich, round mouthfeel thanks to its frothy mousse. It also makes for a delightful breakfast wine!" she says.

McBride Sisters Collection Sparkling Brut Rosé

Samantha Capaldi, a certified sommelier and owner of Samantha Sommelier, counts this sparkling rosé among her favorites. "I was introduced to McBride Sister by my grandpa when he gifted us five cases to serve at my wedding in 2015," she says, adding that "this wine was a hit and tastes way more expensive than it is." Capaldi says it's a versatile wine that pairs well with everything. "It's the perfect amount of toasty without being too rich." At $24.99, it's a great option.

JCB No. 21 Brut N.V.

"This Crémant de Bourgogne is one of the better value sparkling wines I've had from the Burgundy region of France," says Mark Fang, a certified sommelier and founder of WineOMark.com wine blog. To the uninitiated, crémant is a type of sparkling wine made outside the Champagne region of France that uses the same traditional method.

This sparkling wine, which retails at around $25, combines freshness with complexity, with fine and persistent bubbles, Fang says. "I immediately enjoyed an aromatic bouquet of ripe green apples, peaches, and lemon. It's a great example of the excellence that crémants can achieve—and an excellent alternative to pricier Champagnes." Cheers to that!

RELATED: 12 Cheap White Wines That Taste Expensive, According to Sommeliers

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

"Prosecco can be so underrated. There are so many super cheap and quality ones out there," Capaldi says. "My tried and true for years has been this one from Trader Joe's." Capaldi says it's her number one sparkling wine of choice at the grocery store. "It's great on its own and perfect in an Aperol spritz," she says. This Prosecco has a low alcohol volume, so drinks can flow freely. For just $9.99, this is an incredible value for a great-tasting Prosecco you can pick up alongside your shopping.

François Martenot Crémant de Bourgogne

Andreas Larsson, ASKO Wine Advisor who was crowned Best Sommelier of the World in 2007, recommends François Martenot's Crémant de Bourgogne. "This is a pure and precise brut made primarily from chardonnay and pinot noir, grown in the limestone soils of Burgundy, and followed by a second fermentation in the bottle," Larsson says. He recommends it as a pre-dinner aperitif or to pair with a creamy cheese, such as Langres or Brillat-Savarin. This bottle retails for $25, making it a great gift option or dinner party pick. "Look for citrus, green apple, and some bready/buttery notes with a mild creaminess and vibrant freshness," he says.

RELATED: 10 Best Cheap Red Wines That Taste Expensive, According to Sommeliers

Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Brut Traditional

This sparkler from Argentina rings in at $18, and Brianne Cohen, a Los Angeles-based certified sommelier and wine educator, says it does not disappoint. Made with 100 percent certified organic grapes, Domaine Bousquet's Sparkling Brut follows the traditional Champagne method. Cohen says this bubbly is crisp, refreshing, and high in acid, making it an excellent bottle to pair with food. "It punches way above its weight," she says. "It's great to enjoy at home or to take as a gift for the numerous holiday events this month!"

Bodkin Cuvée Agincourt Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc

Bodkin bills this bottle as California's first sparkling sauvignon blanc, which retails for around $20. The 2021 version marked the 10th bottling of this Champagne-method sparkling sauv blanc, which proves it has serious staying power. It's also a top pick of David Glancy, master sommelier, Certified Wine Educator, and founder of San Francisco Wine School. "This is a blend of two different vineyards in Lake County," he says. "It brings the citrus, tropical intensity of sauvignon blanc with the fun surprise of bubbles and a dry finish." Expect notes of lemongrass, lime peel, and pineapple.

RELATED: 11 Best Trader Joe's Wines, According to Sommeliers

Contadi Castaldi, Franciacorta, Brut NV

In addition to Cava and Crémant, another keyword to look for on sparkling labels is Franciacorta, a term for sparkling wines made following the Champagne method, but in Northern Italy's Lombardy region. "This wine is a blend of chardonnay, pinot nero [noir], and pinot bianco that was aged 20 months on the yeast in the bottle," Glancy says, selecting it among his top affordable sparkling wines. This will set you back around $24. Expect a tight, crispy bubble with notes of fresh florals, citrus, and white peach.

Jané Ventura Reserva de la Música Brut Rosé

"Like all Cava, this wine was made by the Champagne method with a second fermentation in the bottle," Glancy says. "This 100 percent Grenache rosé is from grapes grown in the Penedès region surrounding Barcelona. It has lots of fruit and floral aromas and a dry finish." Expect a fresh and fruity sipper that has a subtle sweetness.

RELATED: 10 Best Costco Wines, According to Sommeliers

Gerard Bertrand An 825 Crémant de Limoux Brut

"This sparkling wine originates from southern France where higher altitudes and limestone soils offer good conditions for keeping freshness and elegance," Larsson says. At $20, this bottle has a crisp and creamy palate, with notes of white-fleshed fruit. "It is an obvious party starter that works wonderfully with fish carpaccio, sushi, and sashimi due to its lightness, elegance, and freshness," Larsson says.

Marqués de Cáceres Cava Brut NV

"Cava is, hands down, the best, most convincing Champagne alternative," Cohen says. This cava, which retails for around $15, is made in the Spanish region of Penedès following the Champagne method. "Talk about a dupe," Cohen says. "This wine is palate cleansing and refreshing, and dry as a whistle, just like your favorite Champagne."

RELATED: How to Choose the Best Wine at the Grocery Store, According to Sommeliers

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut

Hovering around $30, this sparkling wine from the Sonoma region of California is a pricier option, but it would make an excellent gift. Fang says he was impressed by the refreshing, crisp flavor, perfectly balanced with a subtle creaminess. "You can taste the initial citrusy notes with a blend of fresh green apple and pear, laced with a hint of toast and brioche," he says. "It has good persistent effervescence and an elegant finish." For a good-value sparkling brut from California, this is a great option.

Rotari Brut Rosé NV

"This is a longtime favorite of mine when it comes to high-performing and modestly priced bubbles," Larsson says. Made in the foothills of the Italian Dolomites, it follows a traditional fermentation in the bottle, followed by a 24-month lees aging. The result is an excellent sparkling rosé. "It shows pure aromas of red berries, citrus, and pink grapes with a generous palate and a crisp acidity. It's a wonderful pairing with salmon, tuna, and veal as it boasts both freshness and intense flavors," Larsson says. This sparkling rosé retails around $18.

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To throw the perfect party of any size, head to Costco. In its typical style, the warehouse and online site are stocked with all of the items you need for a New Year's Eve blowout if you decide to go big or just go low-key at home.

From splurge-worthy to just downright delicious, here are 12 Costco party essentials for the perfect New Year's Eve.

Shrimp Cocktail

Costco's shrimp cocktail is a party staple, ready to go with cooked, chilled shrimp, cocktail sauce, and a few lemons. It's simple to put out on a platter, and it's always a party pleaser. Most warehouses are putting out fresh trays daily so grab one the day before (or even the day of!). The shrimp cocktail will cost you $8.99 in the warehouse.

RELATED: 7 Costco Desserts That Are Perfect For the Holidays

Beef Tenderloin USDA Prime

At $31.99 per pound, the USDA prime beef tenderloin is certainly a splurge, but it's also an impressive main for any NYE dinner party. Going USDA choice (also an option) will save you money, but you only ring in 2024 once, so go ahead and grab this impressive hunk of meat.

Fruit and Cheese Tray

If you don't feel like a big to-do for a cheese platter, this fruit and cheese tray is perfect. With chunks of cheddar and aged Gouda, plus a variety of fruit, including grapes and berries, it's a party pleaser for both adults and kids. It's also great for a New Year's Day brunch or Noon Year's Eve celebration and at $4.99 per pound, it's a great deal, too.

RELATED: 20 Best Costco Comfort Foods To Stock Up On Right Now

Caviar

YOLO as the young ones say, but, in all seriousness, if you are going to break out the caviar, why not on NYE? Costco offers a variety of different caviars in various sizes and sets. This set, on sale for $129, contains a 2-ounce jar of Golden Osetra caviar, blinis, and crème fraîche, great for two to four people.

Moet Imperial Champagne Minis

A midnight toast, or let's be honest, these days a 10 p.m. toast, is an obligatory NYE activity, so why not do it in style? Instead of popping one bottle, pop these six 187 milliliter bottles, enough for one glass of Champagne each and a fun bottle to take home. It costs $69.99 for the six bottles in the warehouse.

RELATED: 10 Best Bottles of Bubbly to Buy at Costco, According to a Sommelier

Dolce Mia Chocolate Dream Flutes

An impressive dessert without baking? Yes, please. These individual chocolate mousse cups with chocolate shavings and cookie crumbs may be small, but they are rich and decadent. Perfect for a dinner party where you have one ready to go for each person. Each flute is 12.7 ounces and costs $13.59 for the half dozen in the warehouse.

Costco Pizza

Over the hype of ringing in the new year in a fancy way? Totally get it. The best thing to do? Order a few Costco pizzas in advance by calling your local food court. You can find the direct food court number by searching for your warehouse here and looking under the food court tab.

Most Costco stores are open on December 31 until around 5 or 6 p.m. (closed on January 1), so grab a pizza or three for $9.95 a pop. You won't have to deal with delivery, and Costco pizza makes everyone happy.

RELATED: 10 Costco Bakery Items Customers Are Currently Raving About

Cooked Wild Golden King Crab Sections

Costco usually has good deals on seafood, making it a great place to grab some of those generally higher priced seafood items (hello, crab and lobster) at the warehouse. These golden king crab sections come precooked so all you need to do is serve them as an app or pull out the meat for pasta or other dish. The sections are $29.99 per pound.

Black Forest Bar Cake with Maraschino Cherries

The Costco bakery keeps churning out new items, and its new Black Forest bar cake would be a perfect dessert for New Year's Eve. Similar to the tuxedo cake and tiramisu cake, it comes as a long rectangle. Inside you'll find chocolate cake layered with cherries and whipped cream. The cake costs around $17.99 at the warehouse, and it easily serves a group.

RELATED: Costco Is Launching Another Perfect Christmas Dessert

Wine Magnum

If you are having a party for a large crew, a behemoth double wine magnum (3 liters) is always a fun way to pour a lot of good wine for many people. One double magnum is equivalent to 20 glasses of wine. Costco has quite a few varieties around the holidays such as Rabble Winery Red Blend, three liters for $58.99, or Wente Cabernet for $124.99.

RELATED: 10 Best Wines Under $20 To Bring to All Your Holiday Parties, According to Sommeliers

Maison Defroidmont Brioche with Boursin

These adorable little brioche balls stuffed with creamy Boursin make the perfect pop-able New Year's Eve appetizer. Warm them up for 10 minutes in the oven, and you have a starter that's sure to delight. They'll cost you $12.69 in the warehouse.

D'Artagnan Extreme American Wagyu Burger Lovers

Gourmet burgers are always a good idea, and this package has everything you need to serve 12 people. Twelve, 8-ounce American Wagyu burgers, heritage Applewood bacon, 12 artisan buns, and a tub of black truffle butter make up this delicious kit that you can find online, currently on sale for $129.99.

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Regardless of what drives us to our favorite food retailer, these essential stores have earned a special place on our to-do list, and perhaps even our hearts. That being said, hearing that a store is about to be gone for good can shake up people's weekly routines.

As numerous shoppers have come to learn, 2023 has been a year filled with various retailers closing down. While some supermarkets have shut their doors due to financial underperformance, others have left customers with no explanation. Here are 10 major grocery chains that have shuttered locations this year.

Walmart

America's largest retailer said goodbye to two dozen locations in 2023. The first round of closures kicked off in February when Walmart announced it would be closing six stores across four states—Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Florida. The company cited poor financial performance as a reason behind the shutdowns, adding, "There is no single cause for why a store closes and our decision is based on several factors."

As the year progressed, the closures racked up, with Walmart shutting the doors of four additional Chicago locations. "The simplest explanation is that collectively our Chicago stores have not been profitable since we opened the first one nearly 17 years ago—these stores lose tens of millions of dollars a year, and their annual losses nearly doubled in just the last five years," the retailer said in a statement.

By November, Walmart hit 24 closures across 15 states and Washington D.C., most recently shutting down a store in Norwalk, Conn, last month. While Target is expected to take over the lot, there has been "no further action" since plans were announced in April, according to The Hour.

RELATED: 11 Tasty Fast-Food Dupes You Can Find at Walmart

Target

Speaking of Target, this retail chain faced several store closures in 2023, as well. In March, Target announced the shutdown of four small-format stores, citing declining foot traffic as the impetus. The affected locations included one store in Philadelphia, one in Minneapolis, and two near Washington D.C., all of which closed on May 13.

A few months later, Target announced in a statement that it would be closing nine locations on Oct. 21. These locations included one store in New York City's Harlem neighborhood, two locations in Seattle, three stores in the San Francisco-Oakland area, and three in Portland, Oregon. Target cited theft and organized crime as the causes of the closures.

Kroger

It would be an understatement to say America's largest supermarket chain has been undergoing some major changes over the last year. For instance, the retailer recently announced that it will be divesting 413 locations to C&S Wholesale Grocers for $2 billion as part of its controversial proposed merger with Albertsons.

Before this news, Kroger closed two Ohio stores—one in East Dayton and another in Riverside. However, this didn't leave the Dayton, Ohio, area without a Kroger. The grocery chain opened another Riverside location just one day after these closures.

In terms of in-store operations, at the end of November, Kitchen United, a ghost kitchen operator, confirmed that it will be closing all seven food halls located inside Kroger. The company said it's looking to focus on its software business and didn't cite any additional reasons behind the ghost kitchen closures.

Sprouts Farmers Market

Despite its plans to open 30 new locations by the end of 2023, this Phoenix-based grocery chain had to close multiple locations along the way. In March, Sprouts announced that it would be shuttering 11 locations in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, and Washington. According to Dan Sanders, chief store operations officer at Sprouts, these stores were about 30% larger than the grocer's current prototype and "often underperformed."

The supermarket chain originally planned to close these stores in 2020 while the company started to focus on a "smaller, more productive" store prototype. However, Sprouts ultimately decided not to close those stores when the pandemic hit to provide customers with access to fresh, healthy groceries.

Whole Foods

After operating for just one year, Whole Foods closed its Trinity Place location in San Francisco this past April. According to a company statement published by SFGATE, Whole Foods made this decision to "to ensure the safety of [its] Team members."

The grocery chain didn't provide additional information about its employee safety concerns, though The San Francisco Standard previously reported that "the company cited deteriorating street conditions around drug use and crime near the grocery store," according to a City Hall source. Then, in October, Whole Foods closed stores in Toledo, Ohio, and Midtown Houston, Texas.

RELATED: 25 Best-Ever Whole Foods Items, According to a Lifelong Fan

Amazon Go

After Amazon shared it would pull back from some brick-and-mortar locations, the company announced that it would close eight existing Amazon Go locations, including two in Seattle, two in New York, and four in San Francisco. The closures took place on April 1.

"Like any physical retailer, we periodically assess our portfolio of stores and make optimization decisions along the way," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain committed to the Amazon Go format, operate more than 20 Amazon Go stores across the U.S., and will continue to learn which locations and features resonate most with customers as we keep evolving our Amazon Go stores.

Then in June, Amazon closed its ninth Go store in downtown Seattle. First opened in 2018, this location was the second Amazon Go store. The company did not provide a reason for the closure, adding that no other stores will be affected. Despite its pause on expansion, Amazon opened a new Go store near Pallyup, Wash., in September.

Aldi

While Aldi is, in fact, the fastest-growing grocery chain in America, the discount retailer did lose a few locations this year. In February, Aldi shuttered two stores—one in North Minneapolis and another in Fort Worth, Texas.

As reported by The Star Tribune, Aldi closed its North Minneapolis store "due to the inability to accommodate [its] larger product range" and because the company's lease term was expiring. Meanwhile, Aldi didn't provide a reason behind the closure of the Fort Worth, Texas, location.

A few weeks later, Aldi went on to close another store in the Pittsburgh suburb of Lower Burrell on March 21 only to be replaced with a new store in nearby Kensington, Pa. Following these closures, Aldi also shut the doors of locations in Canton, Ohio; Rockford, Ill.; and Bethlehem Township, Pa.

Lidl

German retailer Lidl opened its first U.S. store in 2017 and has since expanded to around 170 locations. However, these store additions haven't gone without some cuts. In mid-July, the European grocery chain shared that it would be closing 11 locations across North and South Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

A Lidl spokesperson told Winsight Grocery Business that these were "underperforming locations," adding that the closures enable the company to focus on stores that are closer and more convenient for customers, as well as where they are "seeing significant growth."

RELATED: 7 Best Stores to Buy Groceries Online in 2024

Stop & Shop

At the beginning of the year, Stop & Shop closed its Flatbush, Brooklyn, location—and several closures followed. The northeastern regional grocery chain went on to shutter a Highland, Park, N.J., store in March because it was "underperforming relative to financial expectation," according to New Jersey 101.5. Similarly, in April, Stop & Shop closed a store in the Glennville neighborhood of Greenwich, Conn., because it "was not meeting financial expectations."

ShopRite

This northeastern supermarket cooperative shuttered more than a handful of locations in 2023. In July, the retailer closed a store in East Norrinton, Pa., a location that was ultimately replaced by a new Acme store. Then in December, ShopRite closed five stores in the Capital Region surrounding Albany, N.Y. The affected stores included Albany, Colonie, Niskayuna, Slingerlands, and North Greenbush.

According to the company, these stores were underperforming, and ShopRite hasn't been able to "sustain the level of sales needed to keep the stores operating today."

Going forward, the grocery chain plans to close yet another New York location—one in Ellenville in Oct. 2024. Like the other recent New York closures, ShopRite said it doesn't have "sufficient sales" to continue running this store.

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The story goes that Nissin Foods founder Momofuku Ando came up with the idea for these so-called "magic noodles" amid grim food shortages in Japan after World War II. Hungry people everywhere have been slurping up this form of low-cost sustenance ever since.

In fact, demand has never been higher. According to Japan's World Instant Noodles Association, the global market has greatly expanded over the past seven years, hitting a record-setting 121.2 billion servings in 2022. It's no wonder why. Instant ramen offered an easy solution while entire populations were stuck at home during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its affordability remains highly attractive as prices of many other foods have skyrocketed.

Right now, you can find all kinds of instant ramen at the grocery store, from the basic, ultra-cheap, chicken-flavored noodle cups of your youth to more sophisticated modern brands made with fashionable, higher-quality ingredients and ever-spicier flavors. But, which style offers the most satisfying slurp?

I recently rounded up over half a dozen different options in a range of flavors from a handful of popular retailers in order to find a truly top-rate instant ramen. I prepared each product according to the directions on the package, which are all pretty simple: add water, heat, and stir in the provided flavorings.

Here's how each brand stacked up, ranked in descending order from my least favorite to the best-tasting ramen of all. Grab your chopsticks and soup spoon, and dig in.

Trader Joe's Spicy Miso Instant Ramen Soup

Trader Joe's is a goldmine for cheap eats, and its ramen is no exception. A 1.5-ounce cup of the specialty grocer's Spicy Miso variety cost me just $1.89. The container included a packet of powdered seasoning, a packet of flavoring oil, and a small nest of dried noodles that appeared rather insubstantial, to say the least. The noodles weighed just 1.3 ounces on my digital kitchen scale. Most other ramen brands in this survey provided at least an ounce more per serving.

The look: Like a Minestrone. The soup is a dark reddish color with flecks with green herbs. The noodles are long, off-white, and crimped. They still seemed a bit stiff even after cooking for the recommended time, though an additional 30 seconds in the microwave softened them somewhat.

The taste: Spicy but thin. The soup has a palpable kick on the front end, but the broth doesn't offer much depth of flavor beyond that, which is surprising given the lengthy list of ingredients on the container. Perhaps that's because the powdered seasoning doesn't mix as easily as other brands. Despite stirring repeatedly as the directions indicate, I still found a big wad of undissolved seasoning when I reached the bottom of the cup. The noodles, meanwhile, felt chewier and less tender than others—and certainly far less abundant.

RELATED: I Tried 9 Trader Joe's Frozen Pastas & The Best Was Creamy & Delicious

Mike's Mighty Good Pork Tonkotsu Ramen Soup

In my experience, most restaurants or food items that include the word "good" in their brand name usually turn out to be the opposite. Nevertheless, I wanted to give this one a fair chance. Mike's Mighty Good aims to "make ramen bar quality ramen accessible to everyone." I grabbed a cup of the brand's Pork Tonkotsu flavor, which promises an "insanely rich broth," for $2.79 at my local Whole Foods Market.

Immediately upon opening it, I was stuck by the similarities to the Trader Joe's ramen, both in terms of the packaging and the meager serving size. I would not be surprised if the same manufacturer makes both products, though the Mike's cup is slightly bigger (1.7 ounces) and costs a little more, too.

The look: Milky tan, not unlike a real-deal tonkotsu soup, with slicks of oil and green herbs floating around. Similar to the Trader Joe's version, the noodles took longer to cook than the packaging indicated. With some extra steeping time, however, the stiff tangled strands eventually unraveled into something edible.

The taste: "Insanely rich?" Well, I wouldn't go that far. The broth is pretty well-balanced: very savory, but not to a demented degree, and sufficiently salty but not too much. If you're looking for spicy heat, however, this is not the cup for you. It's completely lacking in that department. The noodles, meanwhile, felt gummy—much more so than others. What's unclear is whether the extra steeping time took things too far. Regardless, these noodles are far from foolproof.

Top Ramen Chicken Flavor

The brand that started it all, Nissin Foods first introduced Americans to instant ramen back in 1972. Even all these years later, the company continues to wield a dominant presence. Just this past fall, the company announced plans to build its third massive manufacturing facility in the United States. A packet of the original chicken flavor cost me an incredibly inflation-friendly 79 cents at my local Urban Market—far cheaper than any other variety in this survey. It came with a single packet of orangish-yellow seasoning.

The look: Pretty basic. The soup is a bright yellow color that takes on an eerily iridescent greenish tone the longer it sits. The noodles are the same pale and curly strands you probably remember from your cash-strapped student days.

The taste: Antiseptic. This soup doesn't taste like chicken at all to me—it smacks of heavy doses of celery salt. Yet, finding none among the listed ingredients, I'm guessing the dominant flavor is actually dried leek flake. Regardless, this tastes like military rations or hospital food, which, given its post-war origins, probably makes sense. The serving size is a lot more generous than either Trader Joe's or Mike's Mighty Good ramen cups, and it's a heckuva lot more affordable. The noodles also cook up nicely within the directed timeframe. They are soft and slurpable. Even so, the odd-flavored broth makes this hard pass from me.

RELATED: I Tried 5 Take and Bake Pizzas & There's Only One I'd Buy Again

Snapdragon Tonkotsu Ramen

Snapdragon offers an array of pho and ramen varieties. I picked up this 2.2-ounce Spicy Tonkotsu cup from a local grocer for $2.79. It came with three separate packets: one containing a goopy dark-colored seasoning, another with a small amount of dehydrated veggies, and third with chili oil. The last one is added only after cooking.

The look: Milky like Mike's (the ingredients include non-dairy cream). The noodles are pale and slender with a slight curl. There's a lot of them, too. This is one cup where the noodles might actually fill up more space than the soup!

The taste: Unevenly spicy. Some sips were harsh enough to make me cough, while others seemed much milder. The skinny noodles offered a firm bite and sufficiently carried the flavor of the soup.  Overall, I'd describe this Snapdragon variety as a solid middle-of-the-road option. It's tasty and adequately filling but not especially remarkable in any way.

Immi Spicy "Beef" Flavor Ramen Soup

San Francisco-based Immi describes its instant ramen as "surprisingly nutritious." Its Spicy "Beef" Ramen, for instance, is 100% plant-based (the first listed ingredient is pumpkin seed protein) and packed with 21 grams of protein—that's more than double the amount found in most varieties. It's also more expensive than most brands. The bright yellow package set me back $5.99 at Whole Foods. It comes with a single packet of gray-colored, powdered seasoning.

The look: Really beefy, especially for a completely meatless broth. The soup is deeply brown and the noodles, too, look darker than most ramen noodles.

The taste: Rich and complex. The broth reveals several layers of flavor with a very slight tingle of spicy heat. The supplier says this soup is "brimming with notes of Sichuan peppercorns, anise, and fennel," but none of those things are actually listed in the ingredients, just a vague mention of "spices." Also, I didn't get much of the numbing sensation that normally comes from Sichuan peppercorns. The noodles, meanwhile, felt spongier than most and soaked up the broth rather nicely, though I didn't love their own earthy flavor.

RELATED: I Tried 6 Frozen Breakfast Sausage Links & the Best One Was Juicy & Beefy

Muso Organic Shoyu Ramen

Muso is a Japanese company based in Osaka that's all about organic ingredients and generally maintaining the natural integrity of its foods. The brand's shoyu ramen is made with a host of organic ingredients, from the wheat noodles and soy sauce to rice wine, sesame oil, and even sugar. A 3.8-ounce package cost me $5.69 at Whole Foods.

The look: Mahogany brown like a well-made French onion soup, with bright white noodles that stand out like stars in the night sky.

The taste: Super savory. Though it doesn't pack much punch, heat-wise, the umami level is off the charts. The soy-based broth is extremely flavorful yet light bodied with a clean finish. The noodles are good, too—supple, silky, and easily slurpable—among the best that I tried. Yet, as tasty as these components are on their own, they don't really mesh well together. Either the soup is too thin to cling to the noodles, or the noodles are too slippery to hold the soup. Whatever the reason, it's not a very cohesive dish.

Maruchan Hot & Spicy Chicken Ramen Bowl

A venerable brand founded in Japan, Maruchan has been manufacturing ramen noodles in the United States since 1977. I grabbed its Hot & Spicy Chicken bowl from a local grocer for just $1.39—an incredibly cheap rate for one of the bigger portion sizes in this survey. It came with one packet of seasoning and a separate packet full of dehydrated corn, carrot, and other veggies. It also includes bits of powdered cooked chicken.

The look: Hearty. The soup is dark red and the veggies pop with bright color upon rehydration. Meanwhile, the noodles are thicker and flatter than others, and they pile up noticeably higher than the surface of the soup.

The taste: Potently peppery. The spicy heat is enough to make your sinuses drip, but the tingly burn is enjoyable. The tiny morsels of chewy chicken offered a unique texture that stood out among the many samples in this survey. So did the unusually shaped noodles. This was the first bowl I tried, and it set a very high bar that only one other brand managed to surpass.

RELATED: I Tried 8 Frozen Quiches & There's Only One I'd Buy Again

Nongshim Premium Tonkotsu Ramen

Nongshim is a South Korean brand that gets a lot of respect. Its Shin Black Noodle Soup earned the top spot in a New York Times survey last year, and many Costco shoppers similarly rave about its Premium Tonkotsu variety, which comes in a six-pack for $13.99 online and costs even less in the store. I picked up mine at the warehouse for just $11.99—that's less than $2 per bowl. The included soup seasoning and spicy oil comes in separate packets, so you can adjust the heat level to your liking, or duck the punch entirely.

The look: Robust. There's a visible depth to this soup, whether you add the spicy oil or not. If you go the mild route, the broth looks creamy and luscious. If you want the extra zing, it takes on a rich, red-orange hue. You'll also notice big slices of real garlic and ample pieces of green onion in the mix. The noodles are plentiful, curvaceous, and more yellow than white.

The taste: Harmonious. The savory broth packs more flavor and clings to the noodles more cohesively than all the others. I tried this one both plain and spicy—both ways are incredibly delicious.

If you're looking to stock up your pantry this winter with an easy, ready-to-heat noodle soup, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better-tasting, more substantial product, especially at such an affordable rate.

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The post I Tried 8 Instant Ramen Brands & the Best Was Rich & Creamy appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Just this year, Taco Bell's Quesarito and Dunkin's Dunkaccino were shaved off fast-food menus. At the supermarket, the list of discontinued products in 2023 is even longer—adding insult to injury as the nation continues to recover from 2022's losses, which included two sweet icons, the Choco Taco and SnackWell's Devil's Food Cookie Cakes.

The reasons for this year's discontinuations range from low sales to health concerns to production issues. Almost every grocery category has taken a hit, including beverages, candy, pantry staples, and plant-based items. Let's take a look at what products we bid adieu to in 2023. Here's to hoping they end up sharing a similar storyline to Dunkaroos or French Toast Crunch and make a heroic comeback in the near future.

Sierra Mist

For this one, we have to take a trip back to January, when PepsiCo delivered a devastating blow to kick off the year. The company announced that it would be sunsetting Sierra Mist, a longstanding fizzy favorite that often went head-to-head with Coca-Cola's Sprite and the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group's 7-Up. The decision was made due to the soda's declining market share and inability to keep up with these big-league competitors.

Pepsi didn't completely leave fans high and dry, though. Instead, it introduced a celestial being called Starry to take Sierra Mist's place. The two share a similar flavor profile, but Starry is made with high-fructose corn syrup rather than cane sugar. This soft drink switcheroo has sparked some controversy—while some consumers enjoy the new variation, Starry has not been met on our planet with the warmest of welcomes.

RELATED: What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Soda Every Day

Rothbury Farms Croutons

Since February 2023, Rothbury Farms Croutons have been toast, and salads will never be the same. The brand announced this discontinuation on its Facebook page and noted that they were "not able to sustain [the croutons] in the current market." All flavors of the product were pulled, including the Texas Toast and All-Natural lines, as well as classics such as Seasoned, Buttery Garlic, and Italian Style.

Fans were visibly upset and crusty in the comments, sad to be losing the "best croutons ever" as many of them put it. A petition was also started to bring them back to life, and it has received more than 1,600 signatures.

Ronzoni Pastina

Due to inflation and supply chain issues, Italy was in hot water earlier this year and warned about a possible pasta shortage. Fortunately, here in the U.S., the largest impact on consumers was price hikes. Most of our favorite pastas have held steady on the grocery store shelf. That is except for one very specific product from the Ronzoni brand: pastina.

The pasta shape, which is tiny and round, was stripped from the company's lineup in January—an act that one angry fan called a "jailable offense" on Instagram. Ronzoni said that the cause for discontinuation was that its long-term supplier would no longer be making the product and an alternative distributor could not be found.

Ronzoni's other 35 pasta shapes and variations from rigatoni and rotini to linguine and lasagna are safe, sound, and ready to soak up some of those sorrows brought on by the loss.

RELATED: 11 Best Pastas on Grocery Shelves, According to a Dietitian

Enjoy Life Foods Bakery Items

Enjoy Life produces snacks and sweets that are free from 14 different allergens, with a specific emphasis on creating nourishing and healthy foods that are kid- and school-friendly. The brand has gained a great deal of traction since its start in 2002 and was acquired by food giant Mondelez in 2015. But, this year, it said goodbye to its flagship treats that started it all: bakery items.

Word spread back in May about the closing of one of Enjoy Life's factories in Jeffersonville, Indiana—a facility focused primarily on production of the brand's baked goods. Enjoy Life later confirmed on Instagram that its bakery items had been "delisted" and noted that "numerous business aspects" impacted the decision. Specific items parents will no longer be able to pack in their kids' lunches include Chewy Bars, Brownie Bites, Soft-Baked Cookies, Crunchy Cookies, Protein Bites, and Breakfast Ovals. But, Enjoy Life's Lentil Chips, Baking Chocolate, and Candy Bars remain available.

Silk Nog

This year's holiday season just got a little less jolly—especially for those who are lactose intolerant. Silk announced it will no longer be producing its dairy-free Silk Nog made from soy milk. The product has historically been a seasonal one that pops up in the colder months. But, this year it is sold out at most retailers, and Amazon currently has it listed as "unavailable" with a note that reads, "We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock."

Over on Facebook, Silk confirmed what customers already feared. In response to an inquiry about the nog just this week, the brand wrote, "I'm sorry our Nog has been discontinued. We know this news may be a little disappointing; we'll be sure to share your comments!"

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Atomic Fireballs

Atomic Fireballs simply couldn't take the heat. Unleashed in 1954, the cinnamon spheres were once one of the hottest candies on the market. But now, many sources are spreading the word that their production has been halted in 2023. There has been no official statement from the candy's maker the Ferrara Candy Shop. But, smaller resellers, such as Blooms Candy & Soda Pop Shop and The Old Time Candy Company, have leaked the news, and are warning customers to stock up before they run out for good.

Once you burn through the remainder of your stock, you can continue to get your cinnamon fix with alternative candies like Tongue Torchers, Hot Tamales, Red Hots, or even Jelly Belly's Unbearably Hot Cinnamon Bears.

WPOP Wegmans Brand Soda

Sierra Mist wasn't the only soda that faced extinction in 2023. East Coast-based supermarket chain Wegmans also retired WPOP—its private-label brand soda—after concerns continued to bubble up over the drink's questionable ingredients. The company began to pull the beverage from shelves in August, and signs took its place which read, "Our Wegmans brand sodas contain aspartame and high fructose corn syrup, artificial ingredients which do not meet our Food You Feel Good About requirements. For this reason, we've made the difficult decision to stop offering Wegmans brand soda."

Despite these unfavorable add-ins, customers had a lot of love for the affordable soda and its many variations including Ginger Ale, Lemon Lime W-Up, and Dr. W. It was truly a sad farewell for many who had been enjoying the drink for decades.

RELATED: The 15 Unhealthiest Sodas—Ranked By Sugar Content

Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers

Along with Oreo, Nutter Butter, Chips Ahoy!, and other packaged cookie classics, Nabisco is also well-known for its Famous Chocolate Wafers—a product that certainly lives up to its name. The thin chocolatey biscuits were introduced nearly a century ago in 1924 and became an instant favorite to use as a pie crust, in a no-bake icebox cake, or to enjoy by themselves.

But, to the dismay of home bakers everywhere, the cookie sleeves have become more and more elusive, eventually to be discontinued by Nabisco this year. Ever since, many grievances have been aired on social media. And, in September, one Twitter user said, "i just found out @nabisco discontinued their chocolate wafers and i am ready to RIOT."

If you're feeling just as angsty, you can sign the petition to bring the Famous Wafers back. Or, join the cookie's Facebook fan club to scout out a few of the last surviving packages.

Trader Joe's Hi-Protein Veggie Burger

Trader Joe's is well-known for rotating inventory in and out. But, in 2023, the store was feeling particularly ruthless, doing away with a few staple and OG products. For starters, the Honey Wheat Pretzel Sticks bit the dust this year, later to be replaced by a slightly altered alternative, and the Hi-Protein Veggie Burgers were also axed.

An Instagram account dedicated to sharing Trader Joe's discontinuations first flagged the burgers' demise in April, and the public did not seem happy about it. One comment read, "I'm a carnivore, but these were super good! BRING EM BACK @traderjoes." And, another Trader Joe's shopper wrote, "This is a travesty."

RELATED: I Tried 6 Store-Bought Veggie Burgers & This Is the Best One

Fairlife Ice Cream

The ultra-filtered milk brand Fairlife–owned by the Coca-Cola Company–proudly introduced a line of lactose-free ice cream in 2020. Initial flavors included vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream, chocolate peanut butter, double fudge brownie, java chip, and mint chip, and a few others were later tacked on. But, during the past year, the pints have slowly melted off the shelves of retailers including Kroger and Vons. And, over the summer, Fairlife fessed up on Twitter, letting consumers know it had been officially discontinued. Guess life isn't that fair after all, is it?

But, the good news is that it's simple enough to make your very own version of the frozen treat at home—and many fans are already taking advantage of this simple hack. Just combine Fairlife's ultra-filtered milk with your favorite mix-ins, give it a whirl in your ice cream machine, and enjoy.

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The post 10 Beloved Grocery Foods That Were Discontinued in 2023 appeared first on Eat This Not That.

For all the delectable new products added to the shelves, there are many ill-fated items that get scratched from the inventory list entirely—and Trader Joe's knows the impact this can have. "We do not enter into the decision to discontinue a product lightly. We understand that it can be disappointing—devastating, even," the retailer states on its website.

The grocery chain's stores have limited shelf space, with slow sales being the main reason behind an item getting cut. But, just because something gets discontinued doesn't necessarily mean it will be gone forever. Trader Joe's has a product feedback form that invites shoppers to share their thoughts on items they miss.

2023 was a busy year at the neighborhood grocery store, filled with exciting product launches and upsetting discontinuations. Here are 11 items no longer sold at Trader Joe's, as confirmed by a Trader Joe's representative.

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dunkers

Need a cookie to dunk in your milk or coffee? There are few treats more fitting than the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dunkers. Unfortunately, the grocery chain got rid of these this year, breaking the hearts of adoring shoppers.

"I'm not exaggerating when I say my daughter is devastated. When you have a serious comfort food and it just disappears it just really sucks," one Reddit user wrote.

Luckily, customers are still able to score the Chocolatey Coated version of these cookies, which, according to another Redditor, "are better anyway."

RELATED: 25 Best-Ever Items at Trader Joe's, According to a Lifelong Fan

2. Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Best retail cookie dough in America, made with real butter, being discontinued?!
byu/subtropicsapien intraderjoes

The chocolate chip cookie product discontinuations don't stop at Dunkers. Trader Joe's also eighty-sixed its Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, eliciting strong reactions from shoppers.

"This is the saddest news I've heard all month," one Redditor commented on a thread announcing the cookie dough's discontinuation. "This was the best cookie dough I ever bought in a store," another one asserted.

However, not all customers were upset or shocked by this news. One Redditor said the item made "the worst cookies ever." Meanwhile, a self-identified 22-year crew member added, "These have been a slow seller, so I'm not surprised. Slow sellers get discontinued."

3. Cocoa & Sea Salt Instant Oatmeal

From Oats & Flax to Maple & Brown Sugar, Trader Joe's offers several instant oatmeal options. But, Cocoa & Sea Salt is no longer one of them. After being on the shelves for just over a year, the grocery chain said goodbye to this product.

"Just fell to my knees," one Reddit user wrote in response to the product's discontinuation. Someone else commented, "What…. I don't need this kind of negativity in my life."

Offering some optimism, one person noted that this oatmeal "should be exceedingly easy to make yourself inexpensively." The sweet and salty oatmeal called for whole grain rolled oats, sugar, cocoa powder, and sea salt.

RELATED: 11 Best Trader Joe's Seasoning Blends, According to Customers

4. Hi-Protein Veggie Burgers

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A post shared by Trader Joe's to beDiscontinued (@traderjoestobediscontinued)

Frozen veggie burgers can be a quick and easy meal option, but if you're a fan of TJ's Hi-Protein brand Veggie Burgers, you're going to have to find a different variety. This year, Trader Joe's got rid of the patties, which were made with a blend of pea protein and black beans. Shoppers didn't take this discontinuation news lightly.

"Why do you guys keep breakin' hearts?" on fan wrote on a post from @traderjoestobediscontinued. "This is a travesty," another person commented.

5. Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus

For those who enjoy a dip with a kick, Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus fit the bill. However, this item is no longer in stores, much to shoppers' dismay.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! It's basically the only reason I ever go [to Trader Joe's]," one Reddit user bemoaned. Another shopper shared that they've used this hummus to make "knockoff" versions of Panera's Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich. "The other cilantro jalapeno hummus brands out there don't compare to TJ's version," the commenter said.

As its name implied, this hummus featured cilantro and jalapeño, along with fresh garlic, lemon juice, and garlic powder.

RELATED: 11 Coveted Trader Joe's Items That Make Shoppers Lose All Self-Control

6. Philly Cheesesteak Bao Buns

RIP Cheesesteak Bao Buns……
byu/Dismal-Mastodon-7043 intraderjoes

It's the crossover that shoppers didn't know they needed: Philly Cheesesteak Bao Buns. This frozen food featured bao buns filled with shredded beef, onion, bell peppers, and American cheese. After about four years in the freezer aisle, Trader Joe's recently discontinued this product, disappointing customers.

"Oh man. My 8 year old will be disappointed. He loved them," one Reddit user shared.

7. Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast

Just because you don't eat meat doesn't mean you can't still enjoy a roasted turkey—a turkey-less one, that is. Trader Joe's once sold a vegan, plant-based Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast, which shoppers loved. Sadly, this product is no more.

Primarily made with wheat gluten, the roast was stuffed with wild rice, cranberries, celery, and onions, and it came coated in a breading seasoned with herbs and red pepper flakes. Fans were disappointed to learn of this product's discontinuation ahead of Thanksgiving.

"I am DEVASTATED. Just sides for Thanksgiving dinner this year," one Redditor lamented. Others echoed similar thoughts, with one chiming in, "I am so disappointed! Gf and I were going to make it for thanksgiving, since we're both vegetarian. We'll make something else obv but still sad."

Meanwhile, multiple shoppers recommended filling this vegan turkey void with alternatives like Gardein's Plant-Based Turk'y Roast and Whole Foods' Holiday Plant-Based Roast.

RELATED: 12 Grocery Staples You Should Always Buy At Trader Joe's, According to Shoppers

8. Ibericos Tapas Style Artichokes

Just found out today the Ibericos Tapas style artichokes are discontinued.
byu/trakrad99 intraderjoes

Grilled artichokes can be the perfect addition to a salad, pizza, or charcuterie board. However, the grilled artichoke options at Trader Joe's got a bit slimmer this year after the grocery chain discontinued the Ibericos Tapas Style Artichokes.

"These artichokes are what motivated me to make weekly excursions to Trader Joe's," one Reddit user shared. However, as other commenters pointed out, TJ's also sells jars of grilled marinated artichokes for those seeking an alternative.

9. Spicy Chakri Mix

Trader Joe's introduced its Spicy Chakri Mix in 2020 only to discontinue it three years later. The crunchy Indian-style snack mix had chickpea and rice-based morsels, peanuts, and fried curry leaves. These were then tossed in a seasoning made of red chili and jalapeño powder, fennel, coriander, mustard and ajowen seeds, cumin, turmeric, and salt.

"This has been one of my favorite products for years. I usually purchased 2 or 3 packages on every visit," one Reddit user wrote. "Dadgummit, the closest Indian market is about 45+ minutes and 2 buses away."

RELATED: 10 Best Trader Joe's Foods For Your Air Fryer

10. Ajika Georgian Seasoning Blend

I heard the Ajika blend is being discontinued… I'm almost tempted to get more.
byu/H0ll0wHag intraderjoes

Trader Joe's put its own twist on ajika—the Georgian spiced red pepper paste—by turning it into a seasoning blend. The product contained just six ingredients: crushed chili peppers, coriander, fenugreek, dried minced garlic, salt, and marigold. Described on the bottle as "spicy, garlicky & deeply aromatic & savory," the seasoning could be used on anything from chicken and fish to bread and cheese.

"There's nothing better than this on roasted chickpeas," one fan said. "Oh no! This is my all-time favorite seasoning for making homemade burgers," another one wrote after hearing that this product will no longer be available.

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The post 10 Most Popular Items Trader Joe's Discontinued in 2023 appeared first on Eat This Not That.