Summary of 15 Best Costco Foods to Buy, According to Dietitians:
This post provides a list of 15 healthy foods to buy at Costco which are recommended by registered dietitians. These foods include organic chocolate milk, Kirkland plain Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, frozen four-cheese pizza, boneless, skinless chicken, seaweed snacks, salmon and shrimp, single-serving hummus cups, organic chicken stock, riced cauliflower, canned beans, Bob’s Red Mill steel cut oats, quinoa, Banza Pasta, and Simple Mills crackers.
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15 Healthy Foods to Buy at Costco
1. Organic Chocolate Milk
Lexi Moriarity, MS, CD, a registered dietitian, and certified sports dietitian at Expert Nutrition and Wellness recommends stocking up on organic chocolate milk from Costco. Chocolate milk has the perfect combo of carbs, protein, and sugar to replenish energy stores and repair the muscles after a hard workout.
2. Kirkland Plain Greek Yogurt
Grace Scarborough, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Florida recommends Kirkland plain Greek yogurt. It provides a great alternative source of cheap, yet nutritious, protein. Just one two-thirds-cup serving provides you with 18 grams of protein, along with health promoting prebiotics.
3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, owner of babyledbliss.com recommends stocking up on extra virgin olive oil from Costco. It has a great flavor that isn’t overbearing, and it’s always a fantastic price. Olive oil is ideal for cooking at lower temperatures and for making salad dressings because of its healthy fatty acid profile.
4. Frozen Four-Cheese Pizza
Elizabeth Ward, MS, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and co-author, The Menopause Diet Plan, A Natural Guide to Managing Hormones, Health and Happiness recommends stocking up on frozen four-cheese pizza from Sabatasso’s. This pizza is gluten-free, making it lower in inflammation-causing ingredients than traditional frozen pizza.
5. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet recommends stocking up on boneless, skinless chicken breasts from Costco. This is a great and convenient source of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals and low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
6. Seaweed Snacks
Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim and member of our Medical Expert Board recommends stocking up on seaweed snacks from Costco. They have a very long shelf life which makes buying in bulk very worth it. These seaweed snacks are healthy and rich in minerals like calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and B12.
7. Wild Caught Salmon
Elizabeth Ward, MS, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and co-author, The Menopause Diet Plan, A Natural Guide to Managing Hormones, Health and Happiness recommends stocking up on wild caught salmon from Costco. It is individually portioned in 4-ounce portions, which is a seafood ‘meal,’ and there is no cutting involved. Salmon is particularly rich in omega-3 fats, which are helpful for protecting against heart disease.
8. Single-Serving Hummus Cups
Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim and member of our Medical Expert Board recommends stocking up on single-serving hummus cups from Costco. They are perfect for portion control. Hummus is rich in protein and dietary fiber which makes this snack leaving you full and satiated.
9. Organic Chicken Stock
Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet recommends stocking up on organic chicken stock from Costco. It is versatile and can be used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces, or as a flavorful substitute for water in a variety of recipes. Chicken stock is typically made by simmering chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs in water for several hours. This slow cooking process releases vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
10. Riced Cauliflower
Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, at Balance One Supplements recommends stocking up on riced cauliflower from Tattooed Chef. It is nutrient rich, gluten free, USDA organic-certified, and vegan, making it an option for most people. Cauliflower is a nutrient-dense vegetable that often gets overlooked for its lack of color and flavor.
11. Canned Beans
Elizabeth Ward, MS, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and co-author, The Menopause Diet Plan, A Natural Guide to Managing Hormones, Health and Happiness recommends stocking up on canned beans from Costco. They can help to add fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients to meals.
12. Steel Cut Oats
Steph Magill, MS, RD, a sports nutrition specialist and owner of SoccerMomNutrition.com recommends stocking up on steel cut oats from Bob’s Red Mill. They are certified organic, 100% whole grain, and they cook in just seven minutes. You can sweeten the oats by adding your favorite dried fruit.
13. Quinoa
Steph Magill, MS, RD, a sports nutrition specialist and owner of SoccerMomNutrition.com recommends stocking up on quinoa from Kirkland. It is a great source of protein, and buying it in bulk from Costco is a great way to save money.
14. Banza Pasta
Mary Wirtz, MS, RDN, a nutritional consultant at Mom Loves Best recommends stocking up on Banza Pasta from Costco. It is a higher-protein chickpea pasta that is also high in dietary fiber and contains 14 grams of protein per serving.
15. Simple Mills Crackers
Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim and member of our Medical Expert Board recommends stocking up on Simple Mills crackers from Costco. They contain protein and fiber, which makes it the ideal nutrient-dense snack. They are super satisfying, leaving you feeling full for a couple of hours.
