What to Buy at Costco (The Healthy Stuff - Part 2)
My first post, 21 of The Healthiest Snacks You Can Buy At Costco, was such a hit (it's one of my most shared post on the entire blog!) that I felt I had to give you more of what you wanted!
So let's cut the crap (literally - no unhealthy foods full of artificial dyes, colors, flavors, and sugars) and give you some more ideas of what to buy at Costco.
I run a tight ship at our house and I try to keep our food and 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 foods 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
No time to read?
Do you just want the printable list? Then get it here.
[convertkit form=1500820]
What to But at Costco - Clean Eating Staples
Pantry Staples - Snack Time
I covered 21 healthy snacks in my original blog post; 21 of the Healthiest Snacks You Can Buy at Costco but I found a few more to add in here.
Autumn's Gold Grain-Free Granola Bars
These grain-free granola bars are legit good. I've tried to love Lara Bars but that hasn't happened yet, although I fully recommend them as a pretty healthy choice for snacking. They are gluten-free, grain-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, Paleo, and only slightly over $1 each.
Lorissa's Kitchen Organic Steak Cuts
A great option for protein on the go. Gluten-free, organic, free of harmful preservatives, and made with grass-fed beef!! Woohoo!
Country Archer Grass-Fed Beef Jerky
Another high-quality high-protein healthy snack to keep in your pantry. Gluten-free and made with grass-fed beef, I give this one to my kids with no qualms.
Beef jerky is so easy to transport as a snack. You can throw it in a lunchbox, a reusable snack bag, or just keep a bag in your "mom bag" for emergency snack time (we find this happens every day multiple times a day when out and about!)
Or buy on Amazon.
I find the individually packaged mini-sticks to be perfect for kids.
Luke's Organic Barbecue Potato Chips
Granted, potato chips are not one of the healthiest options, but sometimes you just want a good salty snack that is a little indulgent, right? Made with avocado oil, you can at least feel a little better about getting some healthy fats (and not rancid pro-inflammatory vegetable oils).
Or buy on Amazon.
Nuts!
You can't get much healthier than a handful of nuts for a snack. At Costco, you can find organic, raw, unsalted pure nuts, like these:
Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers
These crackers are God's gift to anyone eating gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free or all of the above!
When you need a cracker that tastes delicious and goes with everything, all while delivering great nutrition, reach for this one. Kids love it too.
or buy on Amazon.
Kirkland Signature Organic Fruit & Vegetable Pouches
I still stand my ground in feeling very strongly that fruits and veggies should be presented to kids as whole foods (i.e. in their natural form) most of the time. But in a pinch, these are great!
One of the few pouches that contain some vegetables and not only fruit.
Sprouted Seeds
When you sprout a seed or grain you make it much more digestible and the nutrients more available for absorption. The only problem is...that takes time and effort! Skip all the hassle and have someone else do it for you.
Rich in iron, minerals, and protein these sprouted snacks are a great choice.
Or buy on Amazon.
GoMacro MacroBar
Looking to get more protein in your diet from plants? This is it!
Vegan protein bars made from clean ingredients - enjoy a healthy, delicious GoMacro protein bar that is organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free!
Or buy on Amazon.
18 Rabbits Chocolate Banana Bars
Okay, so these bars do have 8g of sugar per bar, but only 1g is added sugars. So, not the most nutritious of choices, but sometimes...you just gotta have chocolate (and this is a pretty good choice for a snack that satisfies the sweet tooth).
Epic Protein Bars
An epic source of protein, low in natural sugars and carbs, and delicious as part of a meal or a snack! Epic Protein Bars are a unique cross between jerky and energy bars that get their protein exclusively from all-natural and grass-fed meat.
[convertkit form=1500820]
Refrigerated
Dairy & Eggs
Butter
With all the Butter Coffee (a.k.a. BulletProof Coffee) we are drinking, we keep this grass-fed butter on hand at all times!
(See how I make my Butter Coffee here. It's SO delish!)
Cheese
OMG I am a cheese ADDICT! But, I still want to get organic, hormone-free, and grass-fed whenever possible. Here are a few of my picks:
Kingdom Organic Aged grass-fed cheddar
Organic Valley String Cheese
Rumiano Organic grass-fed cheddar slices
Yogurt & Milk
Try to buy organic when possible.
Eggs
Grab not one, but two of these 2-dozen organic pastured egg trays! They keep for weeks, and eggs are a great way to increase protein at the start of the day.
Also, we use a ton of eggs in our Gluten-Free Dutch Baby Pancake recipe! (I double the recipe to feed a whole house of boys!)
Meat
Costco has a large selection of organic, and often even grass-fed, meat. I like to stock up in large amounts and store in my extra garage freezer.
You might need my Freezer Inventory Sheet to keep track of everything! Get it in the Free Library.
This is in no way a comprehensive list of what is available, but it's what my Costco warehouse often has in stock. Share in the comments if you have some favorites that are not listed!!
Kirkland Organic Chicken (breast, thighs, drumsticks, whole chicken)
Aidell's Organic Chicken Apple Sausages (and other flavors)
Aidell's Organic Chicken Meatballs
Kiolbassa Grass-Fed Beef Sausages
Silva Organic Chicken Sausages
True Story Organic Ham (also salami and turkey)
Fresh Wild Sockeye (or other fresh wild fish)
[convertkit form=1500820]
Sauces, Marinades, Dips & Spreads
Category Winner: Kirkland Signature Pesto
A quick, healthy dinner is in your near future with this yummy pesto. Just get some pasta, fresh veggies like broccoli and fresh basil and possibly some chicken sausages for added protein and you have a one-pot meal!
One dish meal using Kirkland Signature basil pesto
Category Runner Up: Maya Kamal Simmer Sauce
Marrying into an Indian family has expanded my appreciation for more exotic flavors, but if I can skip all the chopping to make it by hand, then I will!
This simmer sauce is healthy, easy to use to whip up a fast meal, and is approved by my Indian-food loving husband (and by my kids who don't love Indian food).
Hummus
Hummus is a great dip to buy at Costco. Not only do you save money, but I bet having a big tub of hummus will encourage more veggie dipping and therefore more veggie eating!
There are several good ones that circulate through the warehouse. Here are a few suggestions:
Kirkland Organic Hummus
Sabra Organic Hummus
Hope Hummus
Other Dips & Spreads
Over the years, I have found an IMMENSE amount of delicious & unique dips and spreads at Costco. Here are a few examples (not all are found in the refrigerated section but most need to be refrigerated upon opening!):
Kirkland Organic Almond Butter
Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter
Paleo Organics Almond Dip
Good Foods Chunky Guacamole
Wholly Guacamole (regular and minis)
Primal Kitchen Mayo (made with avocado oil)
NuttZo 7 Nut & Seed Spread
[convertkit form=1500820]
Frozen Staples
Thank goodness for my extra garage freezer I got last summer (for free!) I use it to stock up on all sorts of things (especially extra meals!)
Here are a few things I always try to have on hand:
Frozen Organic Blueberries
Frozen Organic strawberries
Frozen Organic mango
Frozen Organic Acai
Frozen Organic Quinoa and Kale
Frozen Organic Chicken Nuggets
Frozen Organic Milton's Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Frozen Organic Riced Cauliflower
We like to doctor up the pizza with leftover ground taco meat!
Pantry Staples - Cooking Oils
Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Here in California, we may have more options than other parts of the country when it comes to Californian olive oil brands, but you can definitely get your hands on the Kirkland brand just across most of the country!
Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil has actually been tested to be one of the few olive oils to meet both U.S. and International Standards while others failed to do so.
A few years ago, a study by the University of California, Davis put a range of imported olive oils to the test and found Costco’s store-brand was one of the few to pass with flying colors and earn the right to use the "extra-virgin" label.
At roughly $13 for 2 liters, this is a steal of a deal! Did you know that you can also buy this on Amazon? But you pay a pretty premium...
Chosen Foods Avocado Oil
According to new research from food science experts at the University of California, Davis, the vast majority of avocado oil sold in the U.S. is of poor quality, mislabeled or adulterated with other oils. Only two brands produced samples that were pure and nonoxidized. Those were Chosen Foods and Marianne’s Avocado Oil.
The Chosen Foods avocado oil is made with 100% Hass avocados sourced from non-GMO farms in central Mexico. It is expeller pressed without the use of chemicals and it is Non-GMO Project Verified. With a smoke point of 500°F, you can use it for almost any stovetop cooking you desire (without oxidizing the fat).
While you are at it, you might as well pick up the Chosen Foods Avocado Spray too! (Or get it at Amazon)
The 6 fl. oz bottle of Chosen Foods avocado oil spray contains only avocado spray, no chemicals, emulsifiers or propellants. Suitable for using as a cooking spray or in recipes, this has a 500°F smoke point and a mild flavor. This is also Non-GMO Project Verified and kosher.
This is the perfect substitute for other cooking sprays that often do not just contain oil; many are loaded with questionable additives, propellants (chemicals used to drive the fluid out of the can), Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s), and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs, not good at all for the environment!)
Marianne's Avocado Oil
Slightly more affordable than Chosen Foods and still good quality. I only wish it came in a glass bottle instead of plastic!
Kirkland Signature Coconut Oil
Yes, coconut oil is high in saturated fats. Don't let the high amounts of saturated fats scare you away though! Recent research has dispelled the myth that saturated fats cause heart disease. Let's get over that already.
In fact, it's precisely because of the high saturated fat content that makes coconut oil great for cooking. Saturated and mono-unsaturated fats are more stable, less likely to oxidize from heat, and thus better for cooking at medium to high heat.
[convertkit form=1500820]
Pantry Staples - General
Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna (Canned)
I always have a can of tuna in my pantry. IN a pinch, this can has the potential to be the star of a quick thrown together meal. Just add some mayo, celery, onion, parsley, lemon juice and cracked pepper. Sounds familiar? You can't go wrong with classic tuna salad!
If you don't like mayo, try this delicious tuna salad recipe. I love to serve it over a bed of greens for myself and as an open-faced sandwich for my two boys layered with a slice of cheese and thrown under the broiler for a few minutes.
You can also buy this tuna on Amazon.
Kirkland Signature Organic Dried Blueberries
I always have dried fruit on hand for my family's favorite breakfast muffins that I make about 1-2 times per month and freeze in bulk. I vary the fruit between cranberries, raisins, and blueberries but my favorite combo is dried blueberries with hemp seeds!
Or buy on Amazon (but pay a premium).
Other things I buy at Costco for my pantry staples:
Organic Brown rice
Almond Flour
Organic Flax seeds
Organic Nutiva Hemp seeds
Organic quinoa
Organic raisins
Nutiva Chia Seeds
Raw Honey
Organic Dried Cranberries
Pacifica Organic Bone Broth
Bob’s Red Mill Organic (Regular and Steel Cut) Oats
Did I miss your favorite? Add yours in the comment section!
Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
I've heard many people say that they don't buy fruit and veggies from Costco becuase they are afraid it will go bad. Uh, hello!?!?! This could be an amazing way to encourage you and your family to eat more fresh fruit and veggies!
Here are a few of the fresh fruits & vegetables I get every time I see them:
Avocados (put half or more in the fridge to slow ripening and you will have varying stages of ripeness so they don't all need to be eaten at once)
Organic Baby Carrots
Organic Asparagus
Organic Blueberries
Organic Broccoli
Organic Brussel Sprouts
Organic Cucumbers
Organic Spring Mix
Organic Power Greens
Organic Raspberries
Organic Strawberries
Organic Veggie Tray
Organic peeled garlic
[convertkit form=1500820]
Super Foods & Supplements
Probiotics (from food)
Farmhouse Culture Kraut
This is my favorite way to naturally add probiotics to my diet. Sauerkraut is a great source of the good bacteria that live in our guts and is a delicious condiment to serve with eggs, salads, or anything else you want!
Shop more of Farmhouse Culture digestive support products on Amazon.
Kombucha
I love drinking kombucha, and now I've got my kids hooked too! Just double check the nutrition label as some flavors are really high in sugar.
Or, shop for Kombucha on Amazon.
Green Drinks
I will never pass up a green drink that is low to no sugar! I often find Daily Greens at my local Costco but there are other brands too.
MCT Oil
MCT oil is derived from coconut oil is great for promoting weight loss, enhancing brainpower, and more.
You can easily add this flavorless liquid state oil to salad dressings, smoothies, or Bulletproof coffee (my favorite!)
Or buy on Amazon.
Vital Proteins Collagen
I love this stuff so much I wrote a whole blog post on it! From the gut-healing to the skin, hair, and nails benefits, I am 100% taking this stuff forever! #vanityandhealth
You can get it at:
Costco for about $30 for 24oz ($1.25/oz)
Amazon for about $43 (at the time of this article posting) for 20oz ($2.15/oz) or $40.85 for 20oz ($2.04/oz) if you subscribe.
Directly from VitalProteins.com for $43 for 20oz (same as Amazon) but when you subscribe you get 20% off your first order (brings the price down to $34.40, so $1.72/oz) and 10% off each subsequent order (brings the price to $38.70 or $1.94/oz) with free shipping on any $50+ order within the contiguous US.
The clear winner for the best price is Costco, but if you can't get to a warehouse, or they are out of stock (happens ALL the time) then I would order (with a subscription) from VitalProteins.com.
Healthy(ier) Treats!
Inno Foods Almond Nuggets in Dark Chocolate
Simple and delicious. When you enjoy this little treat, you are also adding a little nutritional boost with antioxidants, healthy fats, and minerals found in the dark chocolate, almond, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.
This superfood treat ranks high on my list because it is without all the emulsifiers and other artificial ingredients often found in packaged foods.
Kirkland Organic Fruity Snacks
This is NOT a snack! With 11g of sugar per pouch, we save these for a treat and I try to teach the kids why "fruit snacks" should not be regarded as an everyday snack. But, they are a delicious treat!
Stretch Island Fruit Strips
I always prefer fresh fruit over dried fruit because it is really easy to over eat dried fruit and it doesn't have all the vitamins and enzymes that fresh fruit does. However...LIFE. Life is crazy busy sometimes and I would rather grab one of these over candy or other fruit snacks with artificial dyes and flavors!
Nature's Bakery Fig Bars
Along the same lines, this "snack" to many is a cookie in our home. Did you know it has 10g of sugar per bar? Yup - that's a treat! But it's a really handy one to throw in the purse!
Stonyfield Organic YoKids Squeezers
With the same theme of reserving the high sugar "snacks" as treats, we enjoy these frozen in the summer months.
Get your shopping list: What to Buy at Costco
Now that you have a ton of new ideas for stocking your fridge, freezer, and pantry with healthy options, don't just run out to Costco immediately!
Take an extra minute to download your free What to Buy at Costco Shopping List and save time as you venture up and down the aisles or shop online. All the recommended products are listed in the list.
[convertkit form=1500820]
