Is putting together healthy meals and snacks a challenge? Costco offers a variety of options that can simplify healthy eating. Shopping at Costco can be cost-effective, but it's important to be strategic to make the best choices for your health and budget. To make the most of your Costco trips for healthy food, consider these tips: Avoid Costco on the weekends.
- Plan Your Trip: Go by yourself, not with your kids. Don’t go hungry! Eat breakfast or lunch, and then plan on doing your shopping on a full stomach.
- Always Make a List: Always have a list! Having and following your list is not only helpful in staying within your budget, it is really helpful in making healthy food choices. Additionally, when you are meal prepping for your week, it’s critical to have all of your needed ingredients when it comes time to do the cooking. If you don’t have a list, you are much more likely to forget something, and then your plan for meal prepping is nearly shot before you even start.
Essential Healthy Items to Buy at Costco
Here’s a list of essential items that are great for making quick and healthy meals and snacks:
1. Pre-Cooked Chicken
This might be my favorite thing to buy at Costco. Not only is this chicken precooked and ready to be put in soups, salads and numerous other recipes, it’s already shredded for you. Yes, you could purchase a rotisserie chicken and shred it yourself, but that takes time. On weeknights, when time is especially tight, I need things that are quick, simple and healthy.
2. Salmon Burgers
These a big-time family favorite at my house. With 20 grams of protein per burger, they’re also an awesome healthy option for lunches and quick dinners. I love these salmon burgers because you don’t have to thaw them. We love grilling these on our outdoor grill, but you can also pan-sear or cook them on an indoor grill pan.
3. Frozen Shrimp
Costco is probably the best price I’ve found for raw, frozen shrimp.
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4. Wild-Caught Salmon
I prefer wild caught salmon versus farm raised. It tastes better, and might be a little more nutritious. Caveat: it’s also a bit more expensive than farm-raised. However, I’m happy to pay a little more money for a better cut of fish.
5. Microwaveable Rice
This is actually a rather new Costco discovery for me, and I was super pumped when I found it! This package contains 5, 16 oz (microwave steamable) bags of rice.
6. Berries
Berries are something my family pretty much always loves for breakfast and snacks. On top of yogurt or in a smoothie, berries are a healthy and tasty ingredient.
7. Apples
If your family is anything like mine, we go through apples at warp-speed rate! That’s a good thing, as I want my family to be eating healthy fruit, and apples are always a great grab-and-go snack.
8. Vegetable Tray
FYI - you do NOT have to have a party to buy this vegetable tray. This is also one of my favorite things to buy at Costco. This veggie tray is a great way to buy an assortment of vegetables that are already pre-washed and cut.
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9. Salad Mix
Any type of spring or spinach mix is something I pretty much always have in my refrigerator. Making a quick salad or meal-prepping salads for the week, a good salad mix is essential. I’ve discovered that the price of this Organic spring mix is the best around at $3.79.
10. Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are another produce item that pretty much always have on hand. I love mixing these into a pasta dish or simply snacking with my lunch.
11. Eggs
I will say that up until recently, I did NOT buy eggs at Costco. You use to only be able to buy the giant 5-dozen pack of eggs, which was too much for my family to consume before they would go bad. HOWEVER, Costco recently started selling 2-dozen cartons of eggs.
12. Chicken Breasts
Chicken breasts are something that I pretty much always have in my freezer to take out for a quick weeknight meal. In the summer we will grill these almost once a week. In the winter, they are a staple in my slow cooker or for skillet dinners. I like the fact that these come pre-sealed in 6- 1 lb.
13. Spices
Spices might just be the absolute best value for your buck at Costco! Depending on the item, you can typically get 6-8x more for your money than a regular sized container from the standard grocery store.
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14. Diced Tomatoes
This is a pantry staple at my house. I continually use diced tomatoes a few times a week, and are great for pasta dishes, soups and stews. Price: $5.99/case of 8, 14.5 oz.
15. Olive Oil
This is an amazing price for organic!
Additional Healthy Food Suggestions at Costco
Here are some additional healthy food suggestions you can find at Costco:
Salmon Pouches
This salmon is sold in packs of nine 3.5-ounce pouches in three varieties (Wild Sockeye; Wild Smoked; Wild Pink).
Yogurt Variety Pack
One of several yogurt options on the lists of suggested healthy food is this variety pack (Vanilla; Mixed Berry; Strawberry). Each box contains 18 5.3-ounce cartons.
Chobani Yogurt
A similar item to the Oikos yogurt is the Chobani yogurt.
Costco Brand Plain Yogurt
The third yogurt recommendation is the Costco brand plain yogurt that is sold in the three-pound tubs.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
A convenient way to get the health benefits of eggs without cooking is these peeled, hard-boiled eggs that are sold in bags containing 16 two-packs.
Chia Seeds
These Chia seeds are sold in three pound bags and contain fiber, protein, and Omega 3 Fatty Acids.
Matcha Tea Powder
This tea powder is sold in three 13-ounce bags.
Protein Shakes
A recommendation for a healthy beverage are these protein shakes.
Chicken Strips
These chicken strips are sold in 48-ounce bags and sold exclusively at Costco.
Chicken Nuggets
Another chicken option on the list are these lightly breaded, boneless, and skinless chicken nuggets.
Chicken Breasts
Yet another suggestion for a healthy chicken purchase are these boneless and skinless chicken breasts.
Rotisserie Chickens
The list of suggestions of healthy chicken options also contains some hat do not require preparation. Obviously, these chickens are a famous Costco item.
Prepared Chicken Meal
The final chicken suggestion for healthy eating is this 36-ounce prepared meal consisting of fully cooked white chicken in a creamy tomato curry.
Protein Bars
A suggestion for protein bars are these bars that are high in protein, fiber, and calcium and low in carbohydrates and sugar.
Store Brand Protein Bars
Another recommended protein bar are the store brand ones that are high in protein and fiber.
Tortillas
A versatile suggestion for healthy eating are these tortillas. They are low in calories and carbohydrates and high in fiber. They can be used as the “bread base” for a variety of meals.
Clementines
A convenient healthy suggestion are clementines. Of course a list of healthy foods should include fresh fruit!
Honey Crisp Apples
Another fruit suggestion are Honey Crisp apples.
Applesauce
A recommendation for getting the benefits of apples without worrying about them going bad is applesauce. This applesauce is made from organic apples and Vitamin C and contains no added sugar.
Prunes
Another way to get fruit are these prunes that provide disease-fighting phytonutrients, calcium, and fiber.
Turkey Jerky
A recommendation for a low-fat, protein-heavy snack is this jerky, made from turkeys raised without antibiotics.
Beef Sticks
Another dried meat snack suggested for healthy eating are these beef sticks. They are made from grass fed beef, are low in calories, and high in protein.
Chicken Chips
Yet another meat-based recommendation are these chips made from chicken, egg whites, and bone broth.
Gluten-Free Puffs
A healthy suggestion for a crunchy snack are these puffs that are GMO- and gluten free.
Peanut Powder
This peanut powder sold in 30-ounce jars is also suggested for healthy eating. It is lower in fat and calories than traditional peanut butter and contains protein.
Microwave Popcorn
One of two varieties of popcorn recommended for healthy eating is the store brand microwave popcorn. It is sold in packages of 44 3.3-ounce bags.
Ready-to-Eat Popcorn
The second suggested popcorn comes ready-to-eat.
Trail Mix
For those looking for a convenient, healthy snack, these individual packages of trail mix are a good option. Members can buy 24 1.2-ounce bags in three varieties (Omega Deluxe; Cranberry Health; Heart Health).
Pistachios
A second nut-based snack suggestion are these individual bags of pistachios. The 24 0.7-ounce bags come in three varieties (Roasted & Salted; Sea Salt & Vinegar; Chili Roasted).
Hummus
Another suggestion for a source of plant-based protein is hummus. The boxes contain 20 2.5-ounce individual containers of hummus.
Energy Bites
An additional suggested snack are these energy bites. Members can buy packages containing 20 1.25-ounce individual bags in two varieties (Banana, Dark Chocolate and Sunflower Seed; Blueberry Sunflower Seed).
Dried Fruit Bars
A fruit-based suggestion for healthy snacking are these dried fruit bars in three flavors (Strawberry; Mango; Blueberry). They come in bags of 24 0.7-ounce bars and are low in calories.
Sauerkraut
The 50-ounce jars of Wildbrine Organic Sauerkraut is another healthy option at Costco.