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- I’m a registered dietitian and mom who helps busy parents lose weight and maintain weight loss.
- I try to stock up on nutrient-dense foods from Costco, from easy dinners to satisfying snacks.
- Kirkland Signature quinoa and mixed nuts are pantry staples for me, and I like Rao’s marinara.
I’m a registered dietitian who specializes in helping busy parents lose weight without restrictive diets.
As a mom of three myself, I know weight management can be especially difficult when you’ve got a family to feed. Preparing healthy family meals feels like a Herculean task on busy weeknights between work responsibilities and after-school activities.
Having nutritious, balanced foods on hand is half the battle — fortunately, I’ve found great bulk buys at Costco that come in handy when life gets overwhelming.
Here are a few things I get at the wholesale retailer to help me (and my clients) consistently eat well while supporting sustainable weight management.
Trident Alaska salmon burgers are great for a quick dinner.
A freezer staple in our home, these Trident Alaska salmon burgers from Costco can be ready to eat in 10 minutes or less.
Throw the patty on top of a whole-grain bun, add a salad or some roasted veggies on the side, and dinner’s done.
I love that the burgers are made with wild-caught salmon and loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s.
I always try to keep riced cauliflower on hand.
I love using cauliflower rice instead of brown rice to add more nutrition, fiber, and bulk to my meals without carbohydrate overload.
This frozen bag from Tattooed Chef is great because I can easily heat and eat a single serving or a larger portion.
Premade meals from Kevin’s Natural Foods come in handy on busy evenings.
Meals from Kevin’s Natural Foods are perfect for those “nothing’s defrosted but I don’t want to derail my weight-loss efforts” kind of nights.
From Korean BBQ-style beef to roasted-garlic chicken, these heat-and-eat entrées are ready in minutes and packed with protein to make them extra satisfying.
Pair them with precooked rice or riced cauliflower for a more filling dinner.
The Kirkland Signature chunky guacamole cups are convenient.
Portion-controlled, portable, and super satisfying, Kirkland Signature chunky guacamole cups are a staple for me.
Each cup contains 4 grams of fiber plus heart-healthy fats that can be great for stabilizing blood sugar and keeping you feeling full for longer.
I like to dip veggies or tortilla chips in these for a midday snack.
I keep mixed berries in the freezer.
I toss frozen berries into oatmeal or yogurt for an easy dose of fiber, antioxidants, and natural sweetness.
This four-berry blend is also great for nutrient-dense smoothies — I blend them with baby spinach, frozen banana, and a splash of water.
It’s easy to make dishes more nutritious with baby spinach.
Baby spinach is a no-brainer for sneaking more greens into your meals. It’s easy to add to smoothies, eggs, and sandwiches — or to use as the base for a quick side salad.
Pre-cooked chicken bites come in handy for lunches.
With 24 grams of protein per pouch, these fully cooked Fresh Station chicken-breast bites are a lunch lifesaver.
They can be the star of a balanced salad or wrap that can help keep your blood sugar stable midday.
Kirkland Signature egg bites can be an easy breakfast.
Some people skip breakfast because they’re busy or want to “save calories,” but that typically backfires when it comes to weight management.
Skipping breakfast can throw off your blood sugar for the whole day, so I suggest having even just a quick meal in the morning.
These Kirkland Signature sous-vide egg-white bites are one of my favorite easy breakfasts because they cook in minutes and have 11 grams of protein per serving.
I also try to keep protein bars on hand.
Stash protein bars in your purse, glove box, diaper bag, or desk to ensure you aren’t skipping snacks on even the busiest of days — doing so can lead to sugar cravings or overeating at mealtime.
Sometimes, I grab G2G bars at Costco. They’re filling and each has 18 grams of protein.
RxBars are also a solid pick.
One of my other favorite protein-packed Costco buys is RxBars.
They have 12 grams of protein per serving, and I like their simple ingredients.
Kirkland Signature mixed nuts are great to keep on hand.
Mixed nuts are a great grab-and-go snack with healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
Pair a handful of nuts with some high-fiber, antioxidant-rich fruit, like berries or an apple, to create the perfect blood-sugar balancing snack that’ll help keep you full between meals.
Quinoa is a great whole grain to serve with dinner.
Quinoa is one of my favorite fiber-rich whole grains that’s ideal for busy weeknights.
It only takes about 20 minutes to prepare in a rice cooker, and it pairs well with most proteins, from salmon to chicken.
I always grab a salad kit or two from Costco.
Costco typically has a great variety of salad kits, which keep my meals interesting.
The kits are great for busy weeknights since they typically include pre-washed lettuce, toppings, and a premade dressing. Plus, using them to fill half of your dinner plate with veggies is a surefire way to maximize your nutrition intake.
Chicken sausages are good to keep on hand.
Aidells chicken sausages can be a great protein for quick meals since they’re fully cooked. I like to slice the sausages and pop them in the oven or on the stovetop with veggies.
These are also a great, simpler alternative to hot dogs at a barbecue.
Rao’s Homemade marinara is a staple for me.
I’ve found it’s difficult to find delicious premade pasta sauce that doesn’t have added sugar or sweeteners. Fortunately, Rao’s Homemade marinara fits the bill.
The sauce pairs well with chickpea or lentil pasta, which can be good sources of fiber and protein.
Skinny Pop is an easy, light snack.
Skinny Pop popcorn is good for satisfying salty, crunchy snack cravings. Each 100-calorie bag is made with just popcorn, oil, and salt.
I love the simple ingredients and how easy these are to throw in a lunch bag.
Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.
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