Some of my Favorite Healthy Buys at Costco, Summer 2020
When you’re looking to source good, quality food you can expect to pay more. After all, who wants fast, cheap and easy? It can take resourcefulness, creativity and even a little elbow grease to stay under budget and still feed your family healing foods.
Turns out, I need healing foods in bulk…I have 4 teenage black holes to feed! Costco has become an indispensable partner in my quest for nutrient density. True, I buy most of my meats and all my milk at Utah Natural Meat, as you all know, but most everything else I get at Costco. I go almost once a week and hit up “regular” grocery stores maybe once every two weeks. Your family size and needs may dictate different patterns, but I thought I’d share some of my regular staples and some fun healthy finds. This list is by no means complete.
For convenience, I will label Paleo and Keto foods. Some foods are pictured in the gallery.
Note that Costco changes inventory, adding and discontinuing items and brands from time to time. Also, different regions carry different items. So this list won’t work exactly for everyone, but it could help you get some good ideas!
Baking aisle:
Avocado oil in large bottles or spray cans—paleo, keto
Ghee—seems expensive but for the size can it is extremely economical and is shelf stable for a long time.—paleo, keto
Coconut oil—paleo, keto
Maple Syrup (pictured)—paleo
Raw honey, they have some raw Utah honey and raw unspeficied. I buy the Utah stuff when I don’t have access to local, small batch honey.—paleo
Bulk raw nuts—freeze if you won’t go through them quickly.—paleo keto
Himalayan Pink Salt in a big container for cheap, so I buy one and then refill my own salt shakers—Paleo, keto
Almond Flour (pictured)—paleo, keto
Chia Seeds—great food storage item!—paleo, keto
Hemp Seed—great food storage item!—paleo, keto
Flax Meal—freeze if you won’t go through it quickly.—paleo, keto
Peanut Butter (pictured)—only peanuts and salt. If you are going to eat peanut butter, this is it!—limited keto
Almond Butter—only almonds and salt!—paleo, keto
Cocoa Powder, organic (pictured)—paleo, keto
Other, I love to look at the organic spice blends and try new things. —paleo, keto
Produce:
Organic Sweet potatoes—paleo
Organic salad greens—I rotate through the power greens and the spring mix. I will buy the spinach in the plastic container and put the whole thing in the freezer to add directly to smoothies. No more wilted, wasted greens! And they aren’t packed tight so they are easy to grab.—paleo, keto
Mushrooms—paleo, keto
Snow pea pods—paleo, limited keto
Carrots—paleo
Bell pepper minis—paleo, limited keto
Berries, I always look longingly at the fresh berries, but they are a splurge.—paleo, keto
Bananas—paleo
Other—I always peruse the produce aisle to see what’s in season and what is priced well. Sometimes avocados are good but more often I find them elsewhere. Hot house tomatoes, lemons, limes and clementines are usually good here.
Cold/Deli section:
Kerrygold Butter—Keto
Organic Salsa (pictured)—paleo, limited keto
Wholly Guacamole—I buy when its on sale, making it cheaper than buying whole avocados (pictured)—paleo, keto
Brats—They have paleo approved and grass fed bratwurst options that I sometimes buy for a quick meal or campout. I love all of the Teton Brands.—Some paleo, all keto
Wild Brine Sauerkraut (pictured) by far the best price on real, active sauerkraut. It’s a staple when I am too lazy to make my own!—paleo, keto
Crepini Egg wraps (pictured)not a staple, but fun to have on occaison—paleo, keto
Shredded Parmesan—Keto
Fancy Cheeses (I love the baby bels when they go on sale, fresh mozzarella and the bries!)—Keto
Frozen: I love Costco for the organic options!!!
Riced cauliflower (pictured) a staple, I will never chop my own again!—paleo, keto
Any of the frozen veggie blends (pictued is a greens blend I really like)—paleo, keto if no corn
Frozen berries—paleo, keto if doesn’t include tropical fruits
Acai bowls (pictured) these are a real treat I have been buying for birthdays and special occasions, like I really deserve one.—Paleo if you don’t add the granola packet
Grass Fed Beef Patties—this might be the only time I buy beef not from Utah Natural Meat. And only to save a little bit of coin. They honestly aren’t as good, but they are a good price.
Other:
Chosen Foods Mayo or Primal Kitchen Mayo (pictured) By far cheaper than anywhere else and awesome avocado based option when I’m too lazy to make my own. I save the jars too because I use this as a salad dressing base all the time.—Paleo, Keto
Sardines—when these go on sale, we stock up! Great food storage. I wish I liked them more than I do because they are sooooo nutrient dense. Hubby loves them!—Paleo, Keto
Tuna—make sure you get the one packed in water, not broth and weird thigns—paleo, keto
Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers—these are still expensive but so much cheaper than anywhere else and so good!—Paleo
Tree Top applesauce no sugar added (pictured)—paleo
They have a couple Paleo granolas that are really good. I want to make my own, but it’s good to try what’s out there or take pictures of the labels for ideas.
They have a few kinds of paleo baked goods. They aren’t good for weight loss but good for occasional treats, sometimes I try them or take pics for recipe ideas.
Snacks:
Dry roasted almonds, kirkland brand (pictured)—Paleo, keto
Chicharrones (Pork Rinds, pictured) don’t knock em till you try em! Lol They seem to always have the Sweet Chili, sometimes they have jalapeno. Love them both.—Paleo, keto
Sea Salt No Grain Chips—(pictured) awesome tortilla chip substitute when you have to have it.—Paleo
Bare Apple Chips (pictured)—Paleo
Pure Organic layered fruit bars (pictured)—technically paleo, but high in fructose so only a very occasional treat for hikes and such
CaveMan Bars (pictured)—paleo
Autumns Gold Grain Free Granola Bars (pictured)—paleo
They have lots of nut blends and even a new paleo trail mix that is really good. The Paleo snacks are always pricey (cheaper at Costco, but still pricey) but I keep some on hand for hikes or special occasions.
BONUS! Online Only
I hope comes to stores soon. I am absolutely addicted to this deliciousness:
Further Food Chocolate Collagen Peptides Protein Powder Plus Reishi Mushroom
The only ingredients are grass fed collagen peptides, cocoa, reishi mushroom and monkfruit. It makes the most delicious chocolate milk or smoothie additive. 56 servings in a bag.
I swear no one is paying me to say this (but they should!) I am super-uper picky with my chocolate. None of that fake tootsie flavor for me! This is real and decadent and tastes absolutely naughty.
What else do you love at Costco? Hop on my FB page and let me know!
