13 Healthiest Foods You Should Always Buy At Costco

You probably shop at Costco for great bargains on bulk groceries, plus the occasional white water kayak and 75-inch smart T.V. But some of the wisest warehouse purchases you can make are healthy foods you won't find anywhere else, at prices that beat other retailers by a country mile, even if they do tend to vary slightly by location. With a wealth of nutrition-minded finds scattered among the shelves, you could easily stock up on real nourishment while keeping more of your money in your pocket — or putting it toward that 75-inch smart T.V.

Though stock shifts regularly and you can't always find the same item twice, we've zeroed in on some superior choices for Kirkland products made eating for health easier and more cost effective. We're not talking about food court favorites or Costco's cheese selection. These well-considered items are essentially Costco staples, pantry regulars you can keep on hand and work into your dietary habits. There are even a few double items, which lets you maintain the thrill of capturing a bargain while elevating your well-being. Who knew a membership card could be so beneficial?

Who couldn't use a 3 pound bag of whole almonds in their kitchen life? With high concentrations of fiber, protein, and vitamin E, almonds make it easy and delicious to augment your healthy dining and snacking habits. With Kirkland almonds generous portion offered at around $11, you get enough of these mindful munchies to keep you in good spirits for quite a while. Even discount retailers like Walmart can only offer a 25-ounce bag for $8 or so, which makes this healthful Costco purchase an economical bonanza. For families who share healthy habits, having a solid stock available lets everyone dig in.

You can enjoy Kirkland almonds straight out of the bag. Reach in for a handful when you need a crunchy snack with a nourishing profile, chop them up to include in other healthy recipes, or blitz them in a food processor to make your own homemade nut butter. If you're more ambitious with your nutrition, add some to your homemade granola, toast them up for an even smokier snack, or give them a coarse chop and toss them in a salad to add protein and crunch.

Protein bars make a dilly of a meal replacement for eaters on the go, especially with scientific proof that a higher-protein diet can benefit you via weight loss, muscle growth, and bone density. You can keep them in desk drawers for a busy workday that don't allow lunch breaks, or stash the gym bags for the pre-or post-workout nutrient boost that helps with building muscle and replenishing energy. For $24 or so, you can haul home a 20-count box of Kirkland Protein Bars to enhance your fitness regimen however you see fit. And with a variety box that includes Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Chocolate Brownie or Chocolate Peanut Butter Chunk and Cookies and Cream flavors, you can revel in a healthy food that feels like a sweet treat. You can also home in on dedicated boxes of each type if you have a favorite flavor.

Compared to bigger name brands, Costco's protein bars provide 21 grams of high-quality milk and whey protein, plus an array of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A whole bar nets you 180 calories, which can replace or supplement a meal. Consider breaking them in half to make them go further and to use as quick snacks when a full bar seems like too much to chew on.

Anyone looking for an alternative to their usual pasta or rice should pick up a package of Kirkland Organic Quinoa on their next Costco run. Quinoa contains omega-3 fatty acids, which is considered to be a helpful element for maintaining heart and brain health. It's a preferable grain for eaters facing the challenge of celiac disease, providing a gluten-free alternative that's both delicious and intriguing. Costco's substantial bag is a 4.5-pound treasure trove of nutritious possibilities, and at about $11, it's a grand bargain; a 1-pound bag will set you back just over $6 at Albertsons or Safeway, more than half the price for less than a quarter of the product.

Understanding quinoa means recognizing its versatility in the kitchen. You can experiment with recipes that feature the grain as a main element or part of a healthy ensemble. Toss in chopped cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, then dress with a bit of olive oil for a refreshing side salad. Serve it as a bed for strips of grilled chicken marinated in Italian dressing to bring out its Mediterranean magic. And if you're really adventurous, try toasting it and adding it to salads for a touch of crunch.

A member of the cannabis family that carries none of the psychotropic properties of its better-known brother leaf, hemp has long been considered a medicinal plant by indigenous peoples. Hemp hearts are the inner kernel of the plant seed, similar to sesame seeds or toasted nuts, and can be used in the same instances as these more common ingredients. Their health profile includes beneficial omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and are a fantastic source of plant-based protein. Costco sells a three-pack of 2-pound bags (six pounds total product) for about $55, which may sound steep. But these small seeds can be used sparingly to make your investment in your health go further.

Think about using hemp hearts in your juices and smoothies to bring in healthy fats and extra protein. You can also sprinkle them over cereals or into bread recipes to give fruity flavor and crunchy texture while slyly increasing the nutrition quotient. And if homemade crackers are part of your healthy eating practices, try incorporating hemp hearts into your dough.

There's been some back-and-forth about the best uses for apple cider vinegar and how to maximize its healthy qualities, especially when it contains acetic acid bacteria, the raw byproduct of the fermentation process which is also known as the "mother." As happens at Costco, apple cider vinegar comes as a hefty 1-gallon jug priced at about $27.99, but if you've priced apple with the mother included, you know this price point is spectacular for the quantity. Whether you favor it over other vinegars for its anti-bacterial and probiotic properties or you simply enjoy the distinctive flavor, Costco covers all your ACV needs.

If you're game to give it a try, you can easily work a little apple cider vinegar into your eating regimen as part of homemade salad or vegetable dressings by mixing it with a bit of olive oil and some Dijon mustard. It also makes a fun partner in baked goods to add a little zing and lighten up the batter (think whole-grain muffins or healthy quick breads).

Nutritionists and physicians herald turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, enough to turn it into capsules to be used as a supplement. But you can add it to your spice rack with just a flick of your Costco card. At about $20 for two 12-ounce bottles of Kirkland Turmeric, you'll have plenty to experiment with as you discover how best to use turmeric in your culinary creations.

Even if you've heard of turmeric, you may not understand how it can be best utilized. The earthy mustard-like flavor fits easily into umami and spice-based recipes for meats and vegetables, dressings and sauces, and as a shake-on topping for jazzing up popcorn with a little spray of olive oil to help it adhere to the kernels. Some turmeric devotees even incorporated into hot chocolate; there may be such a thing as going too far with your healthful eating approach, and this sounds like it. But if you like your cocoa more earthy, then grabbing these two bottles of turmeric will be a great healthy addition for you. 

Costco makes it easy to find the healthiest options among its Kirkland brand; often, the organic nature is called out on the label ahead of the food itself. We looked for organic versions of our products whenever possible to start off on solid footing. Then, we looked for whole-food items and products with minimal ingredients listed on the label. Both designations are usually indicators of a healthier food item and can give you a direct line to the Costco foods that make the most sense to incorporate in a healthy eating lifestyle.

Rather than simply opting for foods that could be eaten out of the box, we looked to include ingredients that can be used in a multitude of ways. Items like olive oil, cinnamon, and turmeric are easily added to other nutritious foods to elevate the healthy profile and can be kept on hand for use in a variety of ways. And because on-the-go items can be questionable when it comes to their real nutritional value, we looked for a few ready products like fruit pouches and protein bars to provide more mindful alternatives that also work well from a spending perspective. Buying these items in bulk allows healthy eating to be an affordable endeavor and provides a solid stock of individual packages to feed hungry families in a more thoughtful manner.