I Asked a Nutritionist for the Most Delicious Costco Grocery Picks (for Under $20)
We know Costco's $1.50 hot dog combo is iconic. But here's what actually makes the warehouse a goldmine: affordable, legitimately nutritious food that doesn't require a degree to understand.
MoneyLion reached out to registered dietician Staci Gulbin to raid the Costco aisles and pull her go-to picks for anyone trying to eat better without the "healthy eating" price tag or the time suck of elaborate meal prep. The best part? Everything is under $20, and most of it can carry your family through multiple meals.
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Solely Organic Fruit Jerky
Price: $13.61 (regularly $18.61)
Looking for a nutritious lunch box treat or road trip snack? Solely fruit jerky is made exclusively from organic fruit pressed into convenient handheld strips.
“I like to keep snacks like fruit jerky in my to-go bag for a convenient, nonperishable way to eat fruit when fresh is not available,” Gulbin said. “Each Solely serving contains just 80 calories and no added sugars or preservatives.”
Go Raw Sprouted Organic Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt
Price: $7.93 (regularly $11.93)
Your pantry snack shelf deserves these Go Raw pumpkin seeds with sea salt for another great on-the-go treat.
“Each quarter-cup serving contains eight grams of plant-based protein as well as 2 milligrams of iron and is a good source of nutrients like phosphorus and magnesium,” Gulbin explained.
Calling them a “delicious, crunchy… all-natural portable snack option,” she added, “You can also sprinkle these seeds on salad or in trail mix for extra crunch and nutrition.”
Amylu Organic Maple Chicken Patties
Price: $13.61
From sausage links to chicken meatballs, Amylu chicken products are consistently delicious. These Amylu maple chicken patties are organic and low-carb with 14 grams of protein per two pieces.
They’re easy to heat and eat, making them the perfect complement to eggs cooked however you like. You can also use them in your favorite recipes for breakfast or any time of day.
Kirkland Signature Fresh Young Chicken
Price: $11.87 (est.)
Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken is great when you need a quick meal, but it can be high in sodium. Consumer Reports research found up to 194 milligrams of sodium in one sample they tested, and the label says the chicken may contain as much as 460 milligrams of sodium per serving. Plus, it has added sugar in the brine.
For an even healthier alternative, grab a Kirkland Signature Fresh Young Chicken with no artificial ingredients, no preservatives and no added salt. At $1.12 per pound, it’s also slightly cheaper.
Put it in a slow cooker for chicken soup, smoke it outside or put it in the oven on a chilly fall afternoon and have chicken for days. At roughly 10 pounds, it’s also quite a bit larger than the pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
Seeds of Change Organic Quinoa & Brown Rice with Garlic & Lentils
Price: $11.34 (regularly $14.34)
If you need a hearty side to go with your roast chicken, consider Seeds of Change Organic Quinoa & Brown Rice with Garlic. Gulbin called it “an upgrade to your average steam-in-bag rice option.”
Made with garlic and lentils, the whole grain side dish contains 6 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein in each one-cup serving. Plus, with six shelf-stable microwaveable bags per package, it offers tremendous value.
“Enjoy this quinoa and brown rice as is, or sprinkle on fresh herbs like cilantro and dill for a refreshing flavor kick,” Gulbin suggested. “I keep a bag or two in my pantry at all times for a quick and nutritious side dish when time is tight.”
Tattooed Chef Organic Sheet Pan Vegetables
Price: $17.01
You may have seen food influencers on TikTok or Insta tossing root vegetables and crucifers on a pan with some protein and throwing it in the oven for a quick, healthy dinner. But you don’t have to spend hours chopping veggies if you use these Tattooed Chef Organic Sheet Pan Vegetables.
“This combo of sweet potatoes, zucchini, broccoli, red onion and Brussels sprouts is ready to go in your oven alongside your preferred protein for a simple one-pan meal,” Gulbin said.
“Each cup of veggies is just 120 calories per serving and contains 3 grams of gut-friendly fiber to support your healthy lifestyle. I like to keep a bag of frozen veggies like this on hand when there’s no time or energy for a lot of meal prep.”
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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