Can Costco Be Healthy?
Costco is my favorite store. I really dread going to grocery stores or department stores but for some reason I volunteer to go to Costco. There is a lot to look at and I look forward to seeing what they are going to have on sale this month. When I go in there for a couple of things I end up leaving with a shopping cart full of stuff (and $200 lighter!). It's a great place to buy almost anything but especially food/products for my fitness journey. They are constantly adding/subtracting products but for anybody that shops there you know there are foundational products you always buy there. The same thing applies to someone who is health conscious. Today I went to Costco and these 8 items were in my haul. Definitely not an inclusive list but these items are non-negotiables when I'm out.
Banza Rotini Pasta
If you feel like having pasta but want it to be more nutrient-packed packed Banza Pasta is the way to go. In the summer I wrote a blog post titled "Banza Pasta For Fitness Goals" reviewing the ChickPea pasta. You get 5 bags of it for $9.49 which is way better than I can get it at the local grocery store. 2 ounces give you 11 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. This is a great high-protein Costco find. Couple that with some ground sirloin and marinara and you got a solid pasta that isn't going to weigh you down.
Brussels Sprouts
There are some vegetables I just won't buy at Costco. The quantity they give you I just can't eat them all before they go bad. The brussels sprouts seem to hold up pretty well as long as I eat them within 10 days. 2 pounds for $3.99 make it a great value. There are multiple ways to make them but me and my family like them one way. I slice them up and pan-roast them and then finish it off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. This recipe is pretty much how I do them.
Creamer Potatoes
This is as basic as it gets. A 5-pound bag of little potatoes is $6.49 ($2.00 off right now!). I couple these with just about any meal that I need to round out with some carbs. I cut them in half and drizzle them with olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper, and then throw them in the air fryer. Super crispy and I could eat them for breakfast or dinner!
Boneless Chicken Thighs
Chicken Breast can get dry, chewy, and boring really quickly. By switching to the boneless chicken thighs you're getting meat that is moist and flavorful with only slightly more fat. A 4-ounce serving has 22 grams of protein, 4.5 grams of fat, and 130 calories. Currently, Costco charges $3.50 per pound so it's an affordable protein source. I wrote a blog post titled "My Go-To Healthy Chicken Thigh Recipe" . Essentially it's a Panko breaded oven-cooked piece of chicken that I cook often and never get tired of it.
Kirkland Chicken Breast Chunks
Panko breaded chicken thighs are my go-to recipe but what happens if I'm short on time? That is where the Kirkland Lightly Breaded Chicken Chunks come in handy. They are what I consider "healthy chicken nuggets". A 4-pound bag currently costs me $13.99 but what I'm really paying for is convenience. I usually have 3 servings and that gives me 48 grams of protein, 27 grams of carbs, 15 grams of fat, and 435 calories. A little buffalo dipping sauce and I do not feel like I'm "dieting" at all!
Chicken Sausage
I eat a lot of chicken and that includes breakfast. For the mornings I've written how I am Flipping Kodiak Cakes Into My Fitness Journey. Coincidentally I also buy my Kodiak Cakes at Costco too. The pancakes have more protein than regular ones but still not enough for the entire meal. That is where the chicken sausage comes in. For 14.99 you get a 3-pound bag. The 4 links that I have with my Kodiak cakes give me 13 grams of protein, 7 grams of fat, and 120 calories. That lasts me over 2 weeks before I have to reload.
Chobani Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
Ever since I've been using the Macrostax app to track my macros I've been eating more Chobani Greek Yogurt. When I'm maxed out on my fat calories but still need more protein and carbs I'll eat a Chobani (or two!). That is because each cup has 12 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbs, 0 grams of fat, and 110 calories. At Costco, they sell a 20-pack for $15.99. There is no way I could shop at my local grocery store and get them for that cheap. Currently, I have a shelf dedicated to Chobani Greek Yogurts that I'll grab from a couple of times a day.
Pam Cooking Spray
So this is not a food but this definitely makes my food healthier and easier to prepare. Anytime I cook something on a baking sheet or a pan I use Pam. I especially use it in the morning with my Kodiak Cakes or if I make eggs. You don't want to use olive oil on everything so you should definitely get a 2 pack of this stuff at Costco. For $7.49 you get 2- 12 oz spray cans. The size of these cans means you won't have to repurchase for a couple of months!
Conclusion
That's 8 healthy foundational items I keep in my kitchen I use practically every day. I usually don't stop with just those 8 items though. If there is a protein bar on sale I'll get a box of those for another on-the-go option. Sirloin burger, lean steak, peanut butter, and eggs are all items that make their way into my cart on ocassion. If you're trying to eat clean on a budget you should make Costco your first stop. Go there and buy your healthy foundational items and then go to the grocery store and fill in the blanks. You'll save money and because it's in bulk you won't have to travel to the store nearly as much!
UPDATE Protein Bars and Cherry Jam
These are 8 great products I buy at Costco but since then I've written a couple more posts on healthy products at Costco:
Pure Protein Bars- This blog post covers my review of Pure Protein Bars you can find at Costco as well as 3 other bars that I have bought there. If you want someone's opinion on how these different protein bars taste before buying in bulk you'll want to read this one!
E.D. Smith Michigan Cherry- Do you want something new to top your pancakes with or something different on your peanut butter sandwich? If it's the right season (fall/winter) you might want to check out this gem. Low calories but high flavor!