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Eat With Ellie

Dietitian Approved Costco Snack/Convenience Foods

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I’ll email you a free printable list to take with you to Costco right now! Let me know where to send it!

Snacks

Popcorners – Truth is, this isn’t the most nutrient dense snack. But, they don’t have saturated fat, added sugar (the kettle corn has 3g), or much salt which makes it a pretty good option for a crunchy snack in my book! Keep in mind it also doesn’t have much fiber, protein or fat either so it won’t be a filling snack on it’s own. Pair with other more nutrient dense foods for a filling snack (or lunch).
Kirkland Signature Peanut Butter Pretzels – I actually like that these pretzels are filled with peanut butter for a quick and convenient snack! There is over 6g of healthy fats and less than 1g of added sugar per serving.
Harvest Snaps Green Pea Snack Crisps – This crunchy snack is high in fiber and has some protein making it a better chip alternative in my book (but you can still enjoy chips occasionally too 🙂 )
Pub Mix – There is some fiber and protein. If you need a salty, savory crunch this is an ok option since it is lower in saturated fat. Watch the the portion size and pair it with something else if you need a filling snack.
Whisps Cheese Crisps – These are literally just baked cheese. Cheese is higher in salt and fat. But, as a whole food snack, as long as your watch your portion size these are great. (May I add that your Goldfish cracker loving kiddo might be able to bridge to some baked cheese snacks like this?)
Kirkland Signature Apple Sauce – Pouches are sure convenient in some cases. I don’t suggest getting your child used to eating from pouches daily, but, these are a great option for occasional use! No added sugar makes them a star!
Gogo Squeez Applesauce – Again, no added sugar makes them a star! See my note above
Gogo Big Squeez Fruit pouch – GoGo also makes blended fruit pouches. These don’t contain any added sugar making them an ok occasional fruit choice, if you want to.
Gogo Blastz – Again, just a fruit puree pouch. They don’t contain any added sugar so they are an option for a fruit serving!
Tree Top Applesauce cups – These are a great way to help transition out of applesauce pouches (and they don’t contain any added sugar!
Dole diced pears in 100% fruit juice- Be careful with fruit cups – a lot are in sugar sweetened syrup. These, however, are packed in 100% fruit juice (so no added sugar!)
Kirkland Signature Fruit and Vegetable Pouches – Another fruit/veggie type pouch option. No added sugar makes it an ok option to through in the mix.
Traditional Aussie Bites – These only have 4g added sugar per serving (pretty reasonable for a granola bar like food). They also have 5g healthy fats and 2 grams fiber per serving.
Kirkland Signature Microwave Popcorn – Popcorn is actually a whole grain and can be part of a good healthy snack (if it isn’t a choking hazard for your child). This actually ok saturated fat for being “movie theatre butter”. I’d skip the movie theatre popcorn and choose this instead (or make your own).
Skinny Pop – Skinny pop is just air popped popcorn (so no butter/fat added over top). It isn’t going to be filling at all so pair with foods higher in fat, fiber, and/or protein. It’s also probably a lot cheaper to just pop your own but, if you need the convenience this is an option!
Orville Redenbacher’s – Make your own whole grain popcorn! Watch the amount of fat, sugar, and salt you add to keep it a healthier snack.
Late July Jalapeno Lime Tortilla Chip – Still a fried chip – but they have 6g healthy fats and I think can be an ok option occasionally! Especially if it helps your child branch out to new flavors!
Late July Multigrain Tortilla Chips – These tortilla chips have a little bit more nutrients (2g fiber, 5.5g healthy fats) than regular because it is made with different whole grains/seeds like chia seeds, quinoa, millet, amaranth, and flax. It’s not a huge difference nutritionally but hey if you want to try them small things add up!
Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Tortilla Chips – Same as above. They add some seeds and whole grains to make them a little bit more nutrient dense, if you like them.
These two options are just regular ole tortilla chips – which is a fried chip – for me, I included them because if it helps you add more vegetables/fruits (i.e. salsa, guacomole) to your diet then I think they can be a great addition to your diet, occasionally.
Off the eaten Path Chickpea Veggie Crisps – These surprised me as far as taste. I genuinely like them (not just think they are “ok”). They are one of my favorite current “munchie” foods. They are a healthier take on a rice cake (like those quaker rice cakes) but are also made with chickpea, green peas, purple sweet potato, and black beans. They’ve got 4g protein, 4.5g healthy fats, no saturated fat, and only 2g added sugar per serving.
Hippeas White Cheddar Chickpea Puffs – These are a healthier take on Cheeto puffs/Pirate’s Booty. They are made from chickpea flour instead of corn. They do have a little bit of an aftertaste but they have 3g fiber, 4g protein, no saturated fat, and 4g healthy fats.
Multigrain Sun chips – I actually think sun chips are one of the “best” chip options out there as far as nutrients and taste. They have 4g fiber, 3g protein, and 8g healthy fats.
Rhythm Cauliflower Bites – If they are your thing, these are a crunchy snack option!

Nuts/Seeds

Kirkland Signature Cashew Clusters – These have 9.5 grams healthy fats, 1.5g saturated fat, 4g added sugar, 4g protein, and 1g of fiber. Not going to be the most filling nut bar option but still an okay choice. Want more granola bar options? See below!
There are actually several dietitian approved granola bars at Costco. I have included all the fruit/granola bar option at Costco, Walmart, Target, and a complete list of every single granola/protein/fruit bar on the market in one guide for $9.99. You’ll never have to guess which bar is healthy again!
Get Granola/Fruit Bar Guide Now!
Parm Crisps Ranch Snack Mix – This mix has a good amount of fiber and protein, is reasonable in saturated fat, and actually pretty great in sodium (for a snack!)
Nature’s Garden Keto Snack Mix – Now you know i’m not an advocate for keto (for general health/weight loss) but this snack mix is really just nuts and freeze dried cheese. It won’t be low in calories or fat so watch your portion size, but can be a great – more filling – part of a snack every once in a while.
Savanna Orchards Gourmet Honey Roasted Nut Mix – These nuts are sweetened with honey (read: added sugar) but it only has 3g added sugar per serving. It’s ok to enjoy occasionally.
Kirkland Signature Trail Mix – This trail mix only has 4g added sugar (many trail mix bags with chocolate have almost double that). Obviously it’s got some protein and healthy fats from the nuts too 🙂
Kirkland Signature Variety Snack Box – If you like nuts here is the variety pack!
Kirkland Signature – This mix is just nuts. nuts have lots of healthy fats. enough said 🙂
Chomps – This jerky has minimal ingredients (if that’s important to you) – just beef and salt. It also doesn’t have added sugar which is rare in beef jerky!
Kirkland signature Steak Strips – Would I buy this frequently? naw. but it’s not bad if you like it! I think it can be great as a protein option for a lunch box idea too. It has 0g saturated fat and 4g added sugar so it is a lean protein option. But, it is still considered a processed meat (read: enjoy occasionally).

CRACKERS

Crunch Master Multi Grain Baked Crackers – These crackers are little bit more nutrient dense because they contain seeds not typically found in most crackers.
Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers – These are a great option for a gluten free cracker. It’s got more protein and fiber than the average cracker.
Wheat Thins – It’s got some salt and has 4g added sugar but for me, if it help bridge to eating healthy choice with it (i.e. cheese slices, ham slice, etc.) then i’m cool with it!
Honey Maid Graham Crackers – Graham crackers have 8g added sugar per serving. That’s up there. For me, it helps a lot of kids eat nutrient dense foods like yogurt or nut butters so I think it can be a great food/tool for that purpose (if eaten in moderation).
RW Garcia Sweet Potato Crackers – These aren’t that different to other crackers nutritionally (1g fiber, 2g protein) but they have 6g healthy fats and have some seeds so I mean the little efforts add up, right? If you like them, I’d give them a thumbs up.

Dried Fruit

*any dried fruit is a great option if is has no added sugar. There are lots of options with and without added sugar at Costco so be sure to check the label before you buy!

Kirkland Signature Organic Dried Mangoes
Cherry Bay Orchards No-Added Sugar Dried Montmorency Cherries

Drinks

Honest Kids Juice Drink – This juice box is essentially watered down juice. I mean considering that it is pricey but I like to use these as a special treat since it looks similar to other boxed drinks high in added sugar. Be careful not to let juice boxes become a household staple!
Capri Sun 100% fruit juice – These are 100% fruit with no added sugar (not to be confused with original capri suns which are sweetened with sugar). Technically I’d recommend juice intake to be 4 fl oz or less per day but if you are serving these occasionally thats fine. Nothing wrong with some 100% juice. Also a better option for team treats at little league games compared to sugar sweetened drinks. Again be careful not to get your child used to always having juice with lunches or at snack, etc. Don’t make juice boxes a household staple but enjoy occasionally if you want to!
Kirkland Signature 100% organic juice – Pretty much the same thing as the juice above except it is organic. Honestly organic juice probably isn’t going to have much different nutrient levels than regular so I’d go with whatever one is cheaper, personally!
Treetop 100% Apple Juice – Another 100% fruit juice option. I wouldn’t recommend buying huge containers of juice (because when you open it you have to use it up and that’s a lot of juice to drink in a week or 2 timespan). But, if you are buying for a large group or school party and have many mouths to feed this can be an option for you if you are shopping at Costco!
Kirkland Signature 100% Apple Juice
Tree Top Fruit + Water – This is another watered down juice product. It’d be cheaper to water down your own juice at home but if you want the convenience this is an option. They do water down 100% fruit juice so their is no added sugar.
Sunberry 100% dragon Fruit juice – This is a fun color! and its 100% fruit juice!
100% vegetable juice! If it’s your thing these are an option!

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