As summer comes to a close and you get back into your normal routine, you may find yourself in need of some healthy snacks to bring with you on the go. But with all the different options out there and the ever-growing list of hidden ingredients finding their way into grocery store products, how can you make sure you’re choosing healthy options?
Whether you’re in need of healthy snacks to pack in your child’s school lunch or to bring with you to work, we’ve rounded up 13 of our favorite nutritionist-recommended Costco snacks to add to your cart on your next shopping trip.
What to Look for a Healthy Snack
We all get hungry throughout the day, but snacking on high calorie, ultra-processed snacks may not be the best option if you’re on a weight loss journey or have a personal health goal.
So what are some good snacks to keep on hand if your goal is to stay on top of healthy lifestyle habits, keep glucose stable, and feel your best? Let’s start out by defining our parameters for what constitutes a “healthy snack,” as this can vary depending on your goal.
In general, foods that meet one or more of these criteria usually make for a great snack:
- High in protein
- High in fiber
- Contain healthy fats
- No added sugar or refined carbohydrates
- Made up of all or mostly whole foods
- Good source of vitamins and minerals
Everyone has different dietary needs and preferences, so you’ll want to find healthy foods that you tolerate and enjoy when looking for snack ideas. Luckily, Costco has a great selection of healthy foods to keep you satiated during the week!
To help you get started, here are 13 delicious and healthy Costco snacks recommended by the Nutrisense nutrition team.
1) RX Bars
Recommended by Payton Baker, RD, MS, LMNT
Payton says: “RX Bars are a staple in my house since they satisfy my need for anything "sweet." They’re a high protein option with about 12 grams of protein and five grams of fiber per bar, and are made only from whole foods! It is truly difficult to find healthy snack bars that taste this good while still maintaining this level of quality—and best of all, they come in a variety pack!”
2) Kirkland Signature Dry Roasted Salted Almonds
Recommended by Amanda Donahue, MS, RD, CD
Amanda says, “My favorite Costco item that I always keep on hand is a bag of dry roasted salted almonds. As a micronutrient-rich source of healthy fats, they’re a great addition to plain Greek yogurt. You could even throw them into some overnight oats for a delicious breakfast.”
3) Kirkland Organic Plain Greek Yogurt
Recommended by Amanda Donahue, MS, RD, CD
Amanda says, “Another great snack to have on hand is a container of Organic plain Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries and cinnamon. Greek yogurt is a high protein and filling snack and it pairs great with almonds or any other mixed nuts you have on hand.”
4) Chomps Beef Sticks
Recommended by Stephanie Etherington, RD, CDE, CDCES
Stephanie says, “I always stock up on Chomps in bulk when I shop at Costco! I love the simple ingredients list, and they’re great to add to your kids’ lunchbox too. They are the perfect protein boost to keep you satiated in the afternoon without causing a glucose spike.”
5) Organic Quinoa
Recommended by Becky French, MS, RDN, LDN
“I always make sure to pick up a bag of organic quinoa at Costco. Quinoa is a great whole grain to add to your lunch or dinner plate, as it’s a good source of protein, B vitamins, and minerals like manganese and iron. It’s also surprisingly easy to add to homemade snacks!
I love making these no-bake crunchy quinoa bars for my kids—They contain less sugar than store-bought snacks, and they’re made of whole foods that satisfy that sweet tooth without the dreaded energy crash after.”
6) Innofoods Almond and Pecan Clusters
Recommended by Patrick Scheel, RDN, LDN
“One of my favorite snacks from Costco is the Organic Almond + Pecan Clusters. They’re a good source of healthy fat, and they're perfect to take with you when traveling for a sweet, but glucose-friendly snack. They also make a great addition to a Greek yogurt bowl or a bowl of cottage cheese.”
7) Mediterranean Tapas Platter
Recommended by Christie Borders, CNS
“At my family gatherings, our go-to snack is the Costco Mediterranean tapas platter! It’s full of olives, artichokes, cheese, and stuffed peppers, which are delicious and make a great low-carb friendly snack! Olives are a good source of monounsaturated fat.”
8) Kirkland Extra Fancy Mixed Nuts
Recommended by Katrina Larsen, RD, CDCES
“I love keeping Kirkland mixed nuts on hand—they’re so easy to throw in for added protein and healthy fats to any meal or snack. You can blend them into smoothies, stir them into yogurt, or munch on them to keep the hunger at bay while prepping dinner. Running out the door? Pack a handful of nuts and a mandarin for a perfectly portable and balanced snack on the go!”
9) Kirkland Signature Hard-Boiled Eggs
Recommended by Heather Davis, MS, RDN, LDN
“I usually like to hard-boil my own if I have time, but in a pinch it can be easy to grab a pack of Costco’s pre-cooked hard-boiled eggs. Eggs are also a source of protein and many B vitamins. If you’re gluten-free, you can even slice your eggs and pair them with Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers or a piece of fruit for the perfect snack!”
10) Kirkland Turkey Jerky
Recommended by Heather Davis, MS, RDN, LDN
“Turkey jerky is another convenient and high-protein snack that you can easily take with you on the go! I love stocking up on a few bags and keeping them at home for whenever I need an afternoon snack. I like pairing them with some berries.”
11) Kirkland Roasted Macadamia Nuts
Recommended by Andrew Sisisky, LDN, CNS
“I love Kirkland’s roasted macadamia nuts with sea salt! As with other nuts we’ve mentioned in this list, macadamia nuts are a great source of healthy monounsaturated fat.
I put them in salads, have a handful as a snack, or throw them in yogurt or cottage cheese. You can even combine these with some other mixed nuts and dried fruits from Costco to make a homemade trail mix!”
12) Organic Pine Nut Roasted Hummus
Recommended by Heather Davis, MS, RDN, LDN
“Organic hummus from Costco is another great snack to keep in your fridge! Just slice up some carrots, cucumber, or other veggies for a satiating, fiber-rich snack. This also makes for a great appetizer if you’re having guests over!”
13) Wholly Guacamole Minis
Recommended by Heather Davis, MS, RDN, LDN
“Avocados are a great source of healthy fats and fiber, and these mini guacamole snack packs are all natural and contain minimal ingredients. I personally always pair these with protein. Keep these on hand with your favorite guacamole dipper—such as veggies of choice.”
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Heather is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN, LDN), subject matter expert, and technical writer, with a master's degree in nutrition science from Bastyr University. She has a specialty in neuroendocrinology and has been working in the field of nutrition—including nutrition research, education, medical writing, and clinical integrative and functional nutrition—for over 15 years.
