I used to work at Trader Joe's. Here are 6 popular items that are worth the hype and 4 I'd skip.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Intercut photos of a hand holding a clear bottle with a white label containing Everything but the Bagel Seasoning and a hand holding a tan carton of non-dairy beverage with an illustration of a glass of oat milk
Items like Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend are worth the hype, but I skip the chain's nondairy oat beverage.

Leah Kern

A value-conscious shift in customer behavior is rocking the restaurant world. Brands are grappling with these 8 questions.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Environment
Patrons eat in an upscale dining room.
The restaurant industry is grappling with major changes this year — and there are big questions about finances, consumer behavior, and labor issues on operators' minds.

Scott Suchman/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

I tried 14 high-protein drinks and ranked them from worst to best

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
protein drinks ranking
I compared 14 high-protein chocolate drinks, including Core Power, Muscle Milk, and Boost.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

The merch wars have come to fast food

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
A hand reaches for a collectible keychain.
Collectible cups, keychains, and tote bags are the new normal at fast food restaurants.

Ploy Phutpheng/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

I'm not letting January wreck my social life

Tech Insider : Business
Dinner party

Getty Images

I've been vegan for 10 years. Here are 17 items I always buy at Trader Joe's.

Tech Insider : Business
A Trader Joe's shopper.
Trader Joe's sells some fun plant-based options.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

I run alcohol-free nightlife events in NYC. Most of my guests aren't sober — they just don't want to drink.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Sam Bail poses with a bottle of nonalcoholic sparkling wine during a sober party.
Sam Bail, hosts nightlife events in New York — without alcohol

Courtesy of Sam Bail

I love making Ina Garten's protein-rich bean soup. It's easy to prepare, and I always have leftovers.

Tech Insider : Business
Kristina takes a selfie with a large pot of soup.
My favorite high-protein soup recipe is from celebrity chef Ina Garten.

Kristina Wright

I tried Ina Garten's soup inspired by chicken pot pie. I loved it so much that I now make it every winter.

Tech Insider : Business
Ina Garten's chicken pot pie soup
You need to make Ina Garten's chicken pot pie soup this winter.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

9 food trends that will be everywhere in 2026

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Style
kim chi stir fry
Food trends for 2026 include sweet-and-spicy flavors, bite-sized menu items, cabbage, and fast-casual Indian cuisine.

Nungning20/Shutterstock

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