Making smart grocery choices at Costco can transform your kitchen and your health! Discover which foods nutritionists say to avoid for a healthier lifestyle.
Healthy lifestyle changes start in the kitchen—and typically, what starts in the kitchen actually starts in the grocery store. Making smart choices while grocery shopping is one crucial step towards your best self, but it can be difficult to know exactly what to choose and what to avoid. While warehouse stores like Costco offer plenty of nutritious options, they’re also packed with highly processed foods in bulk quantities that can be detrimental to your health.
Nutritionist Karin Adoni Ben-David (@karinadoninutrition on TikTok) recently shared a video highlighting several Costco foods that she advises against, warning about high sugar content, artificial ingredients, and unhealthy oils. From breakfast staples to snacks that appear healthier than they really are, here are eight foods to avoid next time you’re shopping at Costco.
1. Avoid Vegetable Oil & Canola Oil
Vegetable oils are staples in many American households, but they're unfortunately highly processed and not ideal for your overall health. "Unless you use it for the engine in your car, please don’t consume vegetable oil and canola oil," Adoni Ben-David warns. These oils are often extracted using methods that strip away nutrients and introduce harmful compounds. Replace them with healthier oils, such as avocado oil and olive oil, whenever possible! These oils not only support heart health but also add rich flavors to your favorite dishes.
2. Skip Cheetos for a Healthier Snack
Who doesn't love a cheesy snack? Cheetos might be a particularly nostalgic favorite when you're craving something crunchy, but their artificial ingredients and processed cheese powder make them a poor choice for your health. "The snack that leaves all the color on your hands should go to the garbage," Adoni Ben-David says. Instead, consider opting for snacks with natural ingredients, like Kettle Brand potato chips or air-fried vegetable snacks, which offer crunch without the harmful additives.
3. Ditch Coffee Mate French Vanilla Creamer
And we get it—black coffee doesn't taste the best to everyone. Unfortunately, though, flavored coffee creamers often contain artificial additives and unhealthy fats, which can do a number on your wellbeing. Adoni Ben-David questions their impact, saying, "Are you still putting poison in your coffee every day? Maybe it’s time to stop." Instead of Coffee Mate French Vanilla Creamer, consider switching to natural creamers like Nutpods or even oat milk for a delightful, healthier twist on your morning brew.
4. No More Froot Loops for Breakfast
This colorful cereal is loaded with sugar and artificial dyes that can negatively affect children’s behavior and learning abilities, according to Adoni Ben-David. "Are you still giving your kids breakfast that will make them hyperactive, aggressive, and will impair their learning? Froot Loops needs to go to the garbage." Opt for healthier alternatives such as Cheerios or Kashi Go Lean cereals that offer whole grains without unnecessary sugars and artificial ingredients.
5. Don’t Buy Nutella Thinking It’s Healthy
Although Nutella is marketed as a hazelnut spread, its main ingredients are sugar and palm oil—both of which, according to Adoni Ben-David, are no-gos for your health. "Are you still consuming a spread that is 40% sugar, 40% oil, and 10% cocoa powder? And you actually think it’s healthy?" she scolds. Instead, try natural nut butters like Justin's Almond Butter or Teddie Peanut Butter, which provide healthy fats and protein without the added sugars.
6. Mott’s Fruit Snacks Aren't Real Fruit
Whole fruits are a great addition to your diet—but Mott’s Fruit Snacks are another story. They're mostly sugar with artificial flavors. Adoni Ben-David says you should avoid "things that look like real fruits and vegetables but are just pure sugar and artificial flavors." Focus on real fruit or healthy dried fruit options like Bare Snacks to satisfy those sweet cravings without the guilt.
7. Say No to Made Good Granola Minis
Many snacks that seem nutritious are actually quite unhealthy for you. This includes Costco's Made Good Granola Minis. These granola bites contain multiple types of sugar, Adoni Ben-David tells viewers. "Who can guess how many different types of sugar this product contains? Four. This is not healthy. It’s a no-go." Instead, look for snacks that genuinely contain whole grains and minimal added sugars, such as Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, which pack a nutrition punch without the unnecessary extras.
8. Avoid Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars
Fig bars may seem like a safe bet for your health, but the nutrition label on these Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars prove otherwise. Like the granola bites, they're loaded with sugar. "It’s called Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar. It looks so healthy, and it has five different kinds of sugar. This is not a good choice." For a healthier alternative, try LÄRABAR, which boasts a short ingredient list of nuts and fruits and keeps sugar content low.
Next time you’re at Costco, take a closer look at the ingredient labels before adding items to your cart. While convenience and bulk savings are appealing, prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods can help you make healthier choices for you and your family. Luckily, there are many healthy options at Costco. It's never too late to start making better choices in the grocery aisle, setting your family on the path to better health.