21 of the Healthiest Snacks You Can Buy at Costco
Costco can be very intimidating and overwhelming with their mega-aisles of products. You could literally get lost in that store. The fear of not making it all the way through the store before your kids lose their patience and run wild and free is real. That's why you are reading this post. You want a simple list of healthy foods without having to stand in each aisle trying to figure out how much sugar something contains, or whether it has added dyes or flavors. I've already done that for you. Here is a list of 21 of the healthiest snacks you can at Costco.
Why certain snacks made the list and others didn't
I run a tight ship at our house and I try to keep our snacks clean. By clean, I mean no artificial color, dyes or flavors. My kids don't need that crap and neither do I. They get their occasional dose of "crap-food" outside of the home (at the movie theater, birthday parties, holiday parties, etc) so I want the food they get at home or that comes out of our home to be as healthy as possible.
The snacks I buy at Costco:
do not contain artificial dyes, colors or flavors.
contain low to no added sugar.
are made with real food. They are foods that I could make in my own kitchen if I chose to.
are often (but not always) free of vegetable oils. Vegetable oils go rancid very easily and are pro-inflammatory so I try to avoid them as often as possible, especially in packaged goods. You will see that with packaged chips, crackers, and baked goods avoiding safflower, sunflower and canola oils is very difficult. We try to avoid these Omega-6 oils most of the time but don't strive for absolute avoidance. #balance #realism
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21 of the Healthiest Snacks You Can Buy at Costco
1. Organic Valley String Cheese
I like to keep my dairy selection organic at the minimum. Organic dairy is made without antibiotics, hormones, and the animals are fed organic feed. "You are what you eat" does not only apply to humans. What animals are eating and taking into their bodies directly effects the foods we eat.
Individually wrapped cheese sticks are perfect for throwing into lunches, purses, and backpacks for extra protein and a satisfying snack.
Don't be afraid of the large bag of 20 sticks, they last a long time in the fridge (unless you have many very hungry children!)
2. RxBars
First of all, having less than 8-10 ingredients is usually a great way to judge a snack. But even better, you can pronounce all of these ingredients and you could (in theory) make this at home. Those two facts are signs that this is a real food item!
The sugar content is slightly high for a "snack" but the source of the sugar is dates, so not so bad! Also, the sugar is well balanced with protein and healthy fats.
RxBars also come in kids sizes! Same principals of few ingredients and real food used to make them, only they are smaller. You can find the RxBars for Kids here and the full-size RxBars can be found here or at Costco.
3. Wholly Guacamole individual mini packages
Enjoy delicious guacamole anytime, anywhere with raw veggies, Terra chips (see below), whole grain chips, on a slice of toast or crackers, or with a boiled egg. The possibilities are endless when you can just grab n' go with these organic healthy snacks.
4. Perfect Bar
Perfect Bars are perfect for after workout snacks or when you need breakfast on the go. These bars are packed with protein, are sweetened with honey or dates, are gluten-free, and contain 20 expertly hidden superfoods.
Be sure to pop them in the fridge when you get home! This is a real food with no preservatives.
Another great bar I have found at Costco in the past that is very similar to this bar is called Wella bar. Keep your eyes open for that one as well!
5. Kirkland Organic Hummus single-serve cups
Most kids and adults will eat more vegetables when they can dip them in something. Break these bad boys out for lunches, appetizers, picnics or a midnight snack. Even better, have a container of prepped raw veggies in the fridge to accompany the hummus. (This act alone might deter you from the perusing the cupboard with the chips...)
Similar to the guacamole, the foods you could pair with hummus is vast. Raw veggies, vegetable chips, whole grain chips, as a spread on bread, and more. Just dip it.
6. Go Raw Sprouted Sunflower Seeds
Sometimes you can find the Go Raw sunflower seeds, sometimes it's Go Raw Sprouted Pumpkin seeds at Costco. Either way, you are getting a delicious and nutritious snack at a great price.
You can sprout your own seeds at home, but it takes time. If you are already feeling pressed for time, why not take advantage of someone else doing it for you?
Sprouting seeds reduces the phytic acid making the seed more digestible and increases the amount of protein.
Take these seeds anywhere for a little energy boost throughout the day, add them to lunches or sprinkle them on salads.
Check out Go Raw Pumpkin seeds here.
7. Terra Vegetable Chips
For those of you abstaining from grains or gluten, these are the chips for you. Terra chips are also a nice way to sneak extra vegetables and fiber into your diet.
A great way to enjoy Terra chips (besides straight out of the bag) is dipped in guacamole or hummus (you can pair it with the previously listed products!), as a base for nachos, or with my healthy homemade ranch dip recipe.
Personally, I love the classic flavor but you can also buy other delicious flavors here.
8. Aussie Bites
I might be pushing the "snack" category with this one. In actuality, it's more like a cookie but oh so healthy! In fact, I call it a "cookie" and my kids think they are getting a treat as they gobble down flax seeds and quinoa!
We love to put this in their lunchboxes as a "treat" as it abides by most "nut-free" school rules (unless they ask for no coconut).
9. True Story Organic Oven Roasted Turkey Breast single serving packs
Inside the bigger bag, the turkey slices come in individual packs of about 8-10 small circular slices. I've grabbed one of these packages, a cheese stick and an apple in desperate situations running out the door. But with some planning ahead (not my strong suit) you can add these to lunches, shred on salads, or just enjoy with some cheese and crackers.
Convenience, convenience, convenience! Also, organic!
10. Kirkland Organic Seaweed Snacks
Again, I'm not thrilled that these seaweed snacks contain sunflower oil, but the alternatives are often so cost prohibitive that many people won't buy them. With these, at least you are getting a good dose of trace minerals.
And...this is how you eat it 😂
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11. Coconut Clusters
Coconut Clusters are deliciously healthy and slightly sweet. Packed with three super nutritious seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, and chia) as well as coconut you can eat them alone, sprinkle on yogurt, hot cereal or over salads.
Being gluten, egg, butter, and wheat free, these snacks are a great option for Paleo and Vegan families.
12. Whisps Cheese Crisps
If you like cheese and you like chips then you should definitely try this snack! I especially like to have Whisps on hand when refrigeration is an issue (as it is with fresh cheese). They make a great snack on the trail, in lunches, or as a snack to stash in an "emergency" bag in the car.
13. Pure Organic Fruit and Nut bar
If you are familiar with Lara bars, then you will find this bar a close cousin. Gluten-free, organic, and with only a few ingredients, I am a big fan!
Offer one of these bars to your children next time they want a snack after sporting games or practice. Stash one in your purse for later...you never know when those "hangry" moments will descend upon you. These bars also make great travel snacks.
14. Rise Almond Honey Protein Bar
Have you been looking at the previous snacks hoping for some with more protein? Well, here you go.
With only 3 ingredients, you can't get much simpler than this one in the world of bars. Another plus for this bar is that it is sweetened with honey instead of cane sugar!
15. Pacific Gold Original Grass-fed Beef Jerky
Annnnnnd, more protein! Sometimes, you have days when you just need a healthy, quick, and easy version of protein on the go. This is it! With no preservatives and made with meat from grass-fed beef, you can rest easy knowing you are fueling your body with clean food.
Our family also loves taking good quality beef jerky like this one on hikes, in lunches, and for traveling.
16. Organic Lentil with Turmeric Crackers
With a three seed blend, lentils and turmeric, this gluten-free cracker is delicious and nutritious. My favorite way to enjoy these crackers is with cream cheese and smoked salmon on top. (salivating over here already....)
17. Nature's Garden Organic Trail Mix Snack Packs
Next time you are wondering what to bring for when it is your turn to provide "snacks" after a sports game for a team full of kids, consider this bag of 24 individually packaged trail mix snacks. Filled with healthy fats and protein from the nuts and fiber from the dried fruit you are providing a well-balanced snack. If you need to consider nut-allergies, then bring a selection of this bag along with another nut-free option.
These trail mix packs also make great additions to your packing list for camping. Trail mix for the trail!
18. Organic Whole Cashews (or any other organic nut that is unsalted and unroasted!)
Nuts can be eaten as a stand-alone snack, mixed with dried fruit, sprinkled over yogurt and granola or salads, or incorporated into your baking and cooking. Basically, they are useful for a variety of different ways to eat healthily.
The reason I don't recommend roasted and salted nuts is that roasting at high heat can actually harm the delicate fats in nuts and make them rancid. As for salted nuts, most of us get far too much sodium in our diets from packaged foods already. If you want to eat roasted and salted nuts, buy the raw version, soak them and roast them at home and then add any flavors or sea salt that you want. That is a much healthier way to preserve the healthy fats and not overdo the sodium.
19. Lara Bars
With only 5 ingredients or less, these bars are clearly made from real food with ingredients you can actually pronounce and find in your own kitchen.
My kids love to eat these after sports practice instead of some of the other "snacks" that I often see that are loaded with added sugar, artificial dyes & flavors, and calories devoid of nutrition.
If you looked in my purse right now, you would likely find a Lara bar, or at least a mini Lara bar.
20. Made in Nature Kale Chips
I usually make my own kale chips, but sometimes life gets cray cray and Momma's gotta cut corners. I have zero guilt using this packaged food to cut corners. Can I hear three cheers for this healthy snack?
If you do want to make your own kale chips, it's actually really easy. Here is my recipe for how to make kale chips you will want to eat.
21. Gimme Organic Roasted Seaweed Chips with Brown Rice
If you like Gimme's seaweed snacks, you will love these! Add them to lunches, dip them in guacamole or hummus, or throw them in your bag for a picnic at the park. These chips are a well-balanced healthy snack for all ages.
Other healthy snacks from Costco not listed
I have found so many more healthy snacks at Costco that are not on this list.
As you probably know, Costco warehouses regularly change the products for sale. Furthermore, each location varies quite a bit.
I've added additional snacks here to keep your eyes open for that also qualify as "the healthiest snacks you can buy at Costco".
However, if you want to buy these products now, then you can click on the link to take you to the online health food store where I buy most of my non-perishable health foods! (You could save yourself a trip to Costco, save money and not pay shipping when you spend $49...hmmm, and now you have time to fit in a workout today?)
Late July multigrain chips (many organic, gluten-free, & nut-free options)
Mary's Gone crackers (gluten-free, some kids prefer the "thin" crackers over the traditional)
Figgy Pops (all naturally gluten-free but not certified)
Dang coconut chips (gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, & healthy fats!)
Harvest Snaps Snapea Crips (many gluten-free options)
Luke's organic chips and snacks (designed with families needing allergen-free foods in mind, gluten-free, nut-free, and organic)
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What will you add to your next shopping list?
Now you have a great list of healthy snacks to choose from for your next Costco trip. I've already done the investigative work for you. All you need to do is choose which snacks you and your family will try next!
Do you have other favorite healthiest snacks you can buy at Costco that are not on this list? Please let me know what they are in the comments below!
Happy healthy snacking,
