The purpose of a snack is to give your body fuel between meals right? Most “snack foods” do that poorly. Snacks like rice cakes, crackers, healthy looking popcorn and granola bars may be low in calories but are also low in nutrients and do not provide your body with the energy you need.
Here are some Costco finds to up your snack game that will satisfy your tummy AND taste buds while giving you the fuel you need to power through your day.
simplyFUEL Protein Balls
A complete snack on their own AND they have chocolate? Sign me up. simplyFUEL is actually founded by a fellow Registered Dietitian, who started making these protein balls for the professional athletes she worked with. Another bonus is the added probiotics for gut health. Sometimes I grab a couple of these for breakfast along with the next find…
Chobani Complete Shakes
We always recommend these shakes for our clients as an easy grab n go option so it was awesome to see them in Costco. What sets them apart: 20g of protein and no artificial sweeteners. I also really like Siggi’s yogurt shakes (most grocery stores carry both). If you’re looking for recommendations on ready to drink shakes that aren’t yogurt based, check out our post The Best Ready to Drink Protein Shakes (According to a Dietitian).
GoRaw Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds
These are great as a snack straight out of the bag or as a topper for salads, oatmeal, yogurt and soup. Pumpkin seeds are loaded with magnesium, zinc, and hearty healthy fats to send your brain that satisfaction signal. Pumpkin seeds are also a good plant-based source of iron and protein. Here is a list of more vegan high protein foods.
RXBAR Protein Bars
Lots of protein and energy bars have loads of crap ingredients and aren’t much better for you than a candy bar. RXBars are probably the simplest protein bars on the market with no BS ingredients. My personal favorite flavor is the Chocolate Sea Salt and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate. Want more bar recommendations? Check out our post: The Best (and Worst) Protein Bars
Kirkland Seasoned Almonds
Omg these are so good! I love adding them to my charcuterie boards or having them as a snack along with a sliced apple or pear. A handful of fruit, handful of these almonds, and a couple pieces of fancy cheese and I am in snack heaven!
Almonds are good sources of fiber, manganese, magnesium, healthy fats, and protein. They pack a big nutritional punch in a tiny package.
Kirkland Brazil Nuts
Did you know that eating just one Brazil nut per day ensures you meet your daily selenium requirement? Selenium is essential for your immune system and thyroid. Low selenium intake can lead to cellular damage, reduced thyroid activity, and autoimmune disorders.
Brazil nuts also have healthy fats, protein, vitamin E and fiber.
That’s it Mini Fruit Bars
I always recommend my clients have a fruit OR a veggie with each meal or snack to meet their micronutrient needs, but sometimes grabbing a banana or an apple just isn’t an option. These bars, however, are shelf stable and can be carried anywhere. They truly are what the label says, just fruit and that’s it! For a complete snack, pair one or 2 of these bars with the pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, or almonds above.
Chomps Beef Sticks
Confession time: In high school, every day after school and before softball practice, I would walk to the convenience store and buy a Slim Jim and fruit snacks. My dietitian heart cringes at this, but now we know better and have better options available! Think of these like the way better for you, adult version of Slim Jims.
Health Warrior Oatmeal
Oatmeal as a snack? Heck yeah, when it’s this convenient! I usually steer people clear of oatmeal packets (they’re usually full of sugar) but these ones have whole oats and added sunflower, pumpkin, flax and chia seeds for healthy fat, protein, and staying power. These were a go-to for me postpartum as a quick, low stress meal or snack. I recommend adding cows milk or a plant-based milk with protein, like Ripple.
Seven Sundays Granola
A perfect topper for your yogurt or just an eat straight from the bag kinda thing.
Super simple ingredients (the best I’ve ever seen in granola!): almonds, coconut, sunflower seeds, dates, pecans, pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, flax and chia, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, raspberries, vanilla extract, and sea salt.
I hope you enjoy these healthy snacks I found at Costco! Let me know if there’s any you think I missed.
We were not paid to review any of the above products. All opinions are our own. This post may contain affiliate links.
About the author: Megan Poczekaj, RDN, LD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist in Orlando, FL. She owns the private practice, Nutrition Awareness, where she teaches other entrepreneurs how to maximize their productivity and performance with nutrition. She is the author of the book The Optimized Life: A Nutrition Guide for Entrepreneurs and co-host of the Nutrition Awareness Podcast.
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