The Trader Joe's Candy 'Secret'

There’s a ‘secret club’ of shoppers at Trader Joe’s that all the cashiers know about, but they don’t talk about it much.

It exists at other supermarkets as well.

Are you in the club?

Let’s find out:

1. The Big Picture 🖼

2. Explain It To Me It Like I’m 5 🧒

3. What’s Your Sweet Spot? 🍬

4. More Than Half! ½

5. Parting Zen 🧘‍♂️

The Big Picture 🖼

“I eat two mini dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s almost every night.”

Of the hundreds of social media posts I’ve made, a post about this was one of the few that resonated with my kids.

I put one small bag in my cart at checkout every week.

It’s a 3.5 OZ bag that contains 9 mini peanut butter cups and costs $0.99.

Almost every time the cashier asks:

“Would you like to carry these with you?”

Meaning, not put them in the bags so I can eat them right now.

I began to wonder … how many people eat their candy in the car on their way home?

So, I started asking questions ...

Explain It To Me Like I’m 5 👦

Today’s topic, as simply as possible:

“Sweets are not an everyday food.”

What’s Your Sweet Spot? 🍬

For most people with basic goals, it’s 80% Discipline and 20% Discretionary.

This is why some inclusion generally leads to more long-term adherence and consistency.

For men 40+ who want to lose fat & get fit:

I have a 6-minute lesson on how to lose 6 pounds in 3 weeks … plus a ton of other content in my FREE men’s group. The guys inside are loving it so far!

Click here to join (free)!

More Than Half! ½

Multiple cashiers have told me that more than half of the people who purchase candy at the register take it in their purse or carry it out and eat it in the car.

A few things about this:

• It’s not a scientific study.

• But this represents a lot of people.

• No judgment here; I want to explore.

If you’re frequently eating candy or chocolate in the car, I want to help.

I am very much in favor of most people allowing for 10, 20, or even 30% of their total calories consumed to be from ‘discretionary’ sources.

By ‘discretionary,’ I mean ‘fun.’

30% would be on the high end, but if you’re starting from 50%, that’s a great improvement!

10% or less is on the low end and more for people with specific goals such as six-pack abs or higher-level athletics.

But for the average person who needs roughly 80% consistency in eating whole, nutritious foods, eating chocolates in the car regularly is not the kind of behavior that will get you there.

So, this is an eating behavior problem - not a food problem.

It’s also an opportunity.

When you can:

• Put the chocolate in the bag for later;

• Buy the smaller bag, not the big value pack;

• Keep a realistic schedule such as ‘only on weekends;’

• Eat sweets intentionally and mindfully;

Then, you can achieve balance.

Parting Zen 🧘‍♂️

A simple word, phrase, or thought to take with you:

Be well,

Coach Matt

PS: Here are some other newsletters I recommend:

PPS: My common-sense disclaimer …

The advice I offer is not medical advice. If you have any medical issues, please consult your doctor first. The advice I offer should be personalized to your needs. I can help you make those personalizations or refer you out. Reply to this email if you need help.