Sam's Club is renowned for its bulk quantities and competitive prices, making it a go-to destination for savvy shoppers. Beyond the allure of large sizes, Sam's Club offers a treasure trove of healthy food options that can easily fit into a balanced lifestyle. Shopping at Sam’s Club for healthy snacks and food is one of the ways we eat healthy on a budget.
Navigating the Aisles: A Guide to Healthy Choices
Disclaimer: “Healthy” is a rather subjective term. There really is no strict definition, but the majority of these foods are organic, have minimal ingredients, etc. This guide will help you navigate the aisles and discover the healthy staples and snacks that Sam's Club has to offer.
Protein Powerhouses
Sam's Club stands out as an excellent source for purchasing protein in bulk. Buying it in bulk allows you to use what you need and freeze the rest for future meals. From time to time we’ll get sausage or beef, too!
Precooked Chicken and Pulled Pork
Hearty salads can become a convenient weeknight dinner option with precooked chicken and pulled pork readily available.
Chicken Sausages
For a quick and delicious protein option, consider precooked chicken sausages. These Member’s Mark Chicken Sausages ($14) come in three different flavors that will please the entire family. Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
On-the-Go Protein
For those seeking protein on the go, Sam's Club offers various options to suit your needs.
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives
Plain Greek Yogurt
Plain Greek yogurt ($5) is incredibly versatile. Use it as a substitute for sour cream, heavy cream, or mayonnaise in creamy salads, soups, and pasta dishes. It can also serve as a marinade base for meat or fish and a high-protein, low-sugar smoothie starter. Buying in bulk definitely pays off for this healthy staple.
Yogurt Variety
Sam’s Clubs always have an assortment of yogurt, but be sure to watch the sugars. This Chobani yogurt is great for mixing in with some berries and granola or nuts for a snack.
Almond Milk
Lastly, if you’re on that non-dairy/lactose free train, buying almond milk in bulk is a great option!
Cheeses
Happily, eating healthy (even on keto) means you can still enjoy this comfort food in all its forms. Sam’s Club has a great selection of cheeses for every tastebud out there.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Fruits and Vegetables
Sam’s Club has an amazing assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. The caveat with all the fruits and vegetables is that you’re buying a large amount of perishable goods at once. In my case, it’s just my husband and I, so I know we’re not going to finish a huge bag of broccoli before it starts to turn. Be conscious of this so you don’t end up throwing out food and wasting that money!
Vegetable Medley
The vegetable medley at top left is a perfect hack for a quick dinner side. Spread them out on a tray, drizzle with olive oil and your favorite seasonings, and roast for 20 min at 425.
Cauliflower Rice
The cauliflower rice at Sam’s Club is a steal- but it’s another item that’s tough to finish if you don’t have a house full of cauliflower rice lovers. (It was my husband’s most hated food during our Whole30).
Frozen Fruits
Lastly, if you’re a smoothie lover, take advantage of the big bags of frozen fruits Sam’s Club has. They’re tucked away in the big freezers, but worth hunting down as they will save you money in the long run. Not all Sam’s Clubs are the same, so yours may or may not have these items. However, sooner or later the same products usually show up at most locations!
Healthy Fats and Snacks
Snacks are the one of the best parts of life, am I right? Sam’s is a great place to stock up on grab-and-go foods.
Read also: Mobile Dining Revolution
Nuts
Healthy fats like nuts are an easy snack to grab! Sam’s Club carries almonds, walnuts, cashews and mixed nuts in bulk. Typically buying these in smaller quantities is more expensive, so buying them in bulk will save you money. Whether you eat them raw as a healthy snack, or grind them in the blender for freshly made almond flour, there’s no beating this nutritional powerhouse.
Bars
The Wella Bars are perfect for breakfast on the go, and KIND bars are great for an after-school snack. KIND bars have no artificial ingredients, sweeteners or preservatives. We like that!
Chips
While SkinnyPop, Red Quinoa Chips and Blue Corn Tortilla Chips won’t keep you full, they’re a great option for when you’re feeling snacky! Both chips are (healthier) versions of your everyday American potato chips, so they’re a good alternative.
Pantry Staples
Having your pantry stocked with healthy staples is key for making meals come together in a pinch.
Beans
We cook up black beans once a week (I use this Cilantro Lime Black Bean recipe to doctor up canned black beans!).
Oils
Olive oil and avocado oil are perfect for roasting a tray of veggies or drizzling on a salad! I keep these big containers in the pantry and fill up a simple dispenser like this to keep next to the stove. Sam’s Club has the best price I’ve ever found on coconut oil.
Broth
Sam’s also carries organic chicken and beef broth! We go through chicken broth a lot during the winter for soups and stews.
Spices and Seasonings
Lastly, Sam’s has a HUGE assortment of spices and seasonings. We typically pick up sea salt, black pepper, chili powder, and cinnamon as we go through those the most.
Dips and Spreads
Hosting a party or need something to pair with your lunches? Sam’s Club has an impressive selection of surprisingly healthy dips and spreads!
Guacamole
Wholly Guacamole is a favorite in our house when we need guac in a pinch.
Salsa
Fresh salsa is also something we ALWAYS have on hand for a quick salsa chicken dinner, a topping on scrambled eggs, or for flat out dipping with chips! Sam’s Club has a few different salsas throughout the store, so just read your labels. Ideally, it should be as simple as possible: tomatoes, onion, garlic, etc.
Odds and Ends
As much as I tried, there were a few odds and ends that just didn’t fit into the categories above. I snapped a pic of these oven roasted potatoes because they’re actually Whole30 compliant and make a quick (and pretty) side dish for dinner if you’re hosting!
Whole30 Compliant Options
Surprisingly, the pulled pork is actually Whole30 compliant (pork, water, sea salt, black pepper, paprika, red pepper and garlic powder) as is the beef sirloin (beef sirloin, water, seasoning (salt, spices (black pepper, red pepper, white pepper, oregano, thyme, basil), paprika, dehydrated garlic, dehydrated onion, and less than 1% sunflower oil), salt.