The Ultimate Guide to Healthy Grocery Shopping at Costco

Introduction

Costco is known for its vast selection of foods and bulk items, but not all products are created equal when it comes to health. In this guide, we'll explore which Costco foods to avoid due to their hidden sugars, lectins, and unhealthy oils, and what healthier alternatives you can choose instead. Our goal is to help you protect your gut health, waistline, and energy levels as you navigate the aisles.

1. Bagged Salads and Kits

The greens in bagged salads may look appealing, but the accompanying dressings can be loaded with unhealthy seed oils and sugars. Toppings like croutons and tortilla strips can introduce gluten and lectins into your diet.

What to Look For:

Soy, cottonseed oil, canola oil, and sugar listed early on the label
Croutons, tortilla strips, or beans

Healthier Swaps:

Organic arugula or spring mix
Top with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar
Include avocados, olives, or wild salmon

2. Dried Fruits

Dried fruits may seem like a healthy snack, but they are often high in sugar and can lead to fat production in the liver.

Healthier Swaps:

Fresh seasonal fruit
Organic berries or freeze-dried berries
Pomegranate seeds

3. Hummus

Store-bought hummus often contains chickpeas that are high in lectins and are not pressure cooked, making them potentially harmful.

Healthier Swaps:

Avocado guacamole
Homemade hummus with pressure-cooked chickpeas

4. Protein Powders

Many protein powders contain dairy, soy, or pea isolates which are high in lectins and may irritate the gut.

Healthier Swaps:

Hemp-based protein powder
Gundry MD Pro Plant

5. Protein and Granola Bars

These bars are often disguised as healthy snacks but are usually filled with grains and sugars.

Healthier Swaps:

Unreal dark chocolate coconut bars

6. Rotisserie Chicken

While convenient, rotisserie chickens often contain preservatives and are fed an inflammatory diet.

Healthier Swaps:

Plain whole chicken, ideally pasture-raised
Roasted at home with herbs and olive oil

7. Yogurts and Dairy

Many yogurts labeled as Greek or keto can still contain gut-irritating dairy.

Healthier Swaps:

Plain goat or sheep yogurt
Top with cinnamon and walnuts

8. Industrial Animal Fish Proteins

Processed meats often have higher levels of unhealthy fats and additives.

Healthier Swaps:

100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef
Pasture-raised chicken and eggs
Wild-caught seafood like sardines or sockeye salmon

9. Oat and Almond Milks

These milks often contain emulsifiers and sugar, raising glycemic load.

Healthier Swaps:

Unsweetened coconut milk

10. Plant-Based Meats and Snacks

These foods are ultra-processed and often contain lectins and unhealthy oils.

Healthier Swaps:

Mushroom steaks or portobello mushrooms
Seaweed snacks
Kale chips made at home

11. Kombucha and Sweetened Drinks

Most store-bought kombuchas are loaded with sugar.

Healthier Swaps:

Low-sugar kombucha options
Unsweetened tea drinks

Conclusion

When shopping at Costco, being a smart consumer is crucial. Avoid items with a health halo and read labels carefully. Focus on whole, real foods and prioritize ingredients you can understand. By making informed choices, you can build a healthier diet that supports your gut health and overall well-being.