My Healthy Costco Shopping List

healthy food from costco
Healthy food items I always buy at Costco

A few of you requested a healthy Costco shopping list of what I usually buy and I am so excited to share this with you!

Honestly it took me about a year to go to Costco when it first opened its doors in my city. I didn’t understand the hype or why I would need to purchase items in bulk.

But I was SO WRONG!

Costco is a membership-based warehouse store that sells a large variety of items in bulk. It also carries its own in-house brand, Kirkland Signature, to help keep prices low and budget friendly.

It is one of the most popular big box retailer stores in the country and they have a wide variety of healthy items and products that are fun and exciting to try.

They also offer a wide variety of foods for those with different dietary restrictions and preferences like gluten free, dairy free, organic, etc so it has something for everyone to enjoy.

I also always thought that buying items in bulk is mainly for big families, but honestly, it can be a time and money saver for most people, no matter the size of your household.

Purchasing specific products from Costco can save you time in your future grocery shopping because there are items you buy once and they last for months, like their coconut oil and canned foods (not to mention non-food items like toilet paper and paper towels).

Few things to keep in mind: 

  1. Make sure to have a shopping list ready otherwise you end up buying way more than you had anticipated and you save time when you know what you are looking for
  2. It’s almost always busy

Let’s get started!

My Healthy Costco Shopping List

Fruits And Vegetables

I don’t buy a lot of  fresh produce from Costco because it is difficult to eat it all before it goes bad. However, there are a few items that I always like to grab because quality and price is superior to other grocery stores.

brussels sprouts from costco
 Brussels Sprouts from Costco are a great deal. Fresh and enough for the whole family.

Brussels Sprouts

Organic Gala apples

These are small and delicious making them an easy snack for you or your kids.

Berries 

Depends on the price but the blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are usually in better shape than other grocery stores and last longer.

Pantry items included in my healthy Costco shopping list: 

Dave’s Killer Breads and Ezekiel:

They have great ingredients, are higher in fiber, and have whole grains. You don’t need to cut out carbs from your diet – I talk more about it here and here. Reading the ingredients and aiming for high-fiber options is a great start in knowing how to make better bread choices.

Nut butter/ almond butter/ peanut butter: 

Great price and quality and are an easy addition to your smoothies, crackers, fruits and veggies. They also come in larger containers so you don’t need to purchase as often.

Coffee beans

I have been buying whole beans and grinding them at home for years now and let me tell you, it is life changing!

The coffee tastes so much better when it is freshly ground and it is so fun trying new coffee beans every time I go to Costco.

coffee beans from costco
 Coffee beans from Costco are so fun to try. I love buying different ones for a change in taste, flavor and aroma.

Olive oil: 

Great price and I appreciate that it comes in a dark bottle because even a few weeks of light exposure will accelerate the aging of olive oil. 

Protein/snack bars: 

When it comes to protein bars, definitely take the time to read the ingredients. Most protein bars are equivalent to eating a candy bar. 

That’s it fruit bars are a family favorite. Even though they are not high in protein, they are made with just fruit and I can easily add a protein or healthy fat option on the side like a greek yogurt or nuts. I am all about simple ingredients most of the time and these bars are perfect.

Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers: 

Great snack option with great ingredients. Add cheese and you have a filling and satisfying snack.

Coconut oil/ avocado oil: 

I cook with either avocado oil or coconut oil and they come in large containers. They last for months so you definitely save money buying your oils from Costco. The reason I like using coconut or avocado oil during cooking is because they have a higher smoking point, which means it can be used to cook at higher heat and are great for stir-frys. They doesn’t have much flavor, which makes them a good option for cooking.

Chia Seeds and Hemp seeds:

Tiny but mighty! One serving offers loads of fiber and protein and are so versatile to use. Add them to your salads or smoothies to add fiber, protein and healthy fats to your meals. They also come in bulk and we buy them once every 6 months!

Pastas and grains:

Organic quinoa, Banza pasta and basmati rice – again, buy once every few months (some even up to 6 months) and you save time and money.

My Healthy Costco Shopping List: Frozen Foods

Alaska Salmon Frozen Burgers:

Love these when I want to cook something nutritious with little prep and effort.

Wild-Caught Sockeye Salmon:

Sustainably sourced and helps you get your daily protein needs. Sockeye salmon provides 24 grams of protein per serving and it’s one of the top food sources of vitamin D. It is also one of the best sources of EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids). 

Stir fry veggies:

Add a protein to this and you have yourself a 10-minute meal that is balanced, satisfying and healthy.

Frozen edamame:

Rich in protein and fiber and it takes 5 minutes to heat them up! Great price too and you get so many servings from one bag.

Frozen fruits:

I always have frozen fruits on hand for my smoothies and I don’t need to worry about them spoiling. Frozen foods are just as nutritious as fresh, sometimes even more nutritious as they are picked at peak ripeness.

My Healthy Costco Shopping List: Refrigerated Foods

healthy grocery costco shopping list Greek yogurt
 Dairy finds at Costco

Kirkland Greek yogurt or Fage 2% Greek yogurt: 

Greek yogurt is loaded with protein and is a personal favorite 

Sweet Kale salad :

This is a great option for those that want to eat more greens but don’t really have the time or energy to prep ahead of time. I love buying this when I know that I have a very busy week. It’s also delicious and satisfying.

Eggs:

You have a few different options here. Costco even sells hard boiled eggs in the refrigerator section. Easy protein snack or breakfast.

My Healthy Costco Shopping List: Canned Foods

I usually buy canned vegetables, beans and sauces from Costco. They are a very budget-friendly option and are easy to add to your meals.  Many people think that canned foods are not as nutritious as fresh and that is not true. Canned foods are just as healthy and are a great way to add nutrients to meals without having them go bad.

Here is a list of canned foods I buy from Costco:

  • Canned tomato sauce
  • Rao’s homemade sauce
  • Canned chickpeas
  • Canned black beans
  • Canned tomato paste
  • Kirkland Signature Organic Diced Tomatoes

My Healthy Costco Shopping List: Meat Options

Seasoned rotisserie chicken

You can eat this alone or shred it and add it to soups or salads.

rotisserie chicken
I buy this chicken a few times a month to help making meal planning easier

Ground beef

I portion this out and then freeze them into about 8-9 servings. It lasts a little less than a month and it’s a much better deal than buying it at other grocery stores. Quality, texture and color of the meat (we also love their steaks!) seem fresher than other places.

Organic chicken tenderloins:

I always have frozen chicken in the freezer as they can easily be added to a stir fry for a quick meal.

As always, if you ever have any questions, make sure to send me a message on Instagram and I’d love to help!

Happy shopping 🙂

XX

Ayat

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