7 Trendy, Healthy New Grocery Finds We Spotted at Costco This Month
Costco is one of my favorite places to stock up on everyday healthy plant-based foods, including frozen fruits and veggies, fresh produce, non-dairy milk, and pantry staples like whole-grain oats and almond butter. But aside from the common staples we all know and have seen before, I also like to keep an eye out for anything new and healthy to try every time I go. You just never know what you’ll find at Costco!
Some of my favorite new finds from 2018 included steamed beets, avocado mash, blueberry dark chocolate, coconut snacks, wild blueberry jam, and a variety of frozen fruit blends. And so far, 2019 is proving to be another year of great Costco finds as well.
Here are some of the trendiest grocery finds I spotted at Costco this month!
1. The Good Bean Chickpea Snacks
Chickpeas are having a major moment right now. These nutrient-dense legumes are packed with protein, iron, B vitamins, fiber, and even have some healthy fats. Now you can find trendy chickpeas in the snack aisle at Costco, thanks to The Good Bean. These are a healthier alternative to potato chips, with 6 grams of protein per serving. They’re certainly a much better option if you want something salty, crunchy, crispy, and satisfying!
2. Kirkland Ancient Grain Granola, $7 for two pounds
Ancient grains are also really hot right now, and for good reason: they offer more fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than refined grains and are super tasty and filling! For a healthier granola option, Costco’s Kirkland brand now has its own version of ancient grain granola made with KAMUT wheat, quinoa, spelt, and amaranth. It’s made by Nature’s Path (and marketed by Costco), so it’s also organic and non-GMO.
This vegan granola is a great way to boost your nutrient intake in the morning without taking in refined sugar (it’s sweetened with molasses), and it’s free of trans fats and refined grains. Plus, it comes with the high-quality promise of Costco’s Kirkland brand. Breakfast just got better!
3. Kirkland Organic Seaweed Snacks, $9 for a pack of 10
Seaweed snacks have been out for some time now, but I’ve yet to see them at Costco until now. At least not from Kirkland! Now you can have a salty, savory, 20-calorie snack on the cheap. Keep a pack of these around if you want a low-calorie alternative to chips that’s still crunchy, salty, and savory. Or, crunch these up and sprinkle the pieces on top of salads.
4. Made in Nature Mango Pops and Date Pops, from $7 for 1.25 pounds
I’m a huge fan of everything by Made in Nature, and these new treats are no exception. First up is their new Mango Pops, which have become by new favorite because they’re oh-so sweet and chewy! I also love the new Date Pops with Mixed Berries — made with quinoa crisps for additional plant protein. Pop one or two of these when you’re craving something sugary and feel good about taking in extra fiber, vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats!
5. Foods with Purpose Ancient Grain ‘n’ Rice Blend, $7 for 34 servings
I love healthy whole grains and am always looking out for different, unique options at any store I go to, so I was super excited to see this new ancient grain blend available at Costco. It features wheat berries, red rice, and heart-healthy grains such as barley, oats, and quinoa. This blend is also organic and cooks up in just 10 minutes, making it a breeze to add more whole grains to your diet in just minutes!
6. Unrefined Avocado Oil, from $8 for one liter
Move over, coconut oil! While olive oil has been seen as the most popular healthy option for some time now and coconut oil had its moment, avocado is the new “it” oil and Costco is not without options. I recently spotted two brands at my local Costco, including one by Ottavia and another by Chosen Foods. One plus for avocado oil is it’s extremely high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and is also able to withstand high cooking temps. Try it in salad dressings for sure.
7. Autumn’s Gold Grain-Free Granola Bars
In contrast to ancient grains, grain-free products are also popping up all over the place. Options I saw included granolas and granola bars like these by Autumn Gold brand. Although these are made with honey (which I don’t consume), I like that they offer real food ingredients, are non-GMO, have heart-healthy nuts and seeds, and are made with natural sweeteners instead of refined sugars. They’re also a much better alternative than the mixed variety box of candy bars I saw sitting right next to these on the shelf!
What’s your favorite new Costco find you’ve seen so far in 2019?
