Costco is my JAM.
I’d hang out here every day if I could. The people that work there are smiley and super nice, the food selection is amazing, and there’s almost always free samples. You could seriously go there around dinner time and pretty much eat a 7-course meal in samples alone. (Don’t challenge me on this. I’ve tried it.)
These days, I hit Costco about once a month. A couple of years ago, I used to live like 5 minutes away from one… and I was there basically once a week. Yeah. Not kidding.
I have a pretty standard haul that I get about once a month, and then I supplement this with a smaller run sometime to Trader Joe’s during off weeks. (TJ’s is a fav of mine too)
Here’s what I normally pick up from Costco whenever I go:
- apples
- seasonal fruit (whatever looks really good)
- Power Greens
- pre-mix salad (has all the stuff in one bag)
- avocados
- bell peppers
- sweet potatoes
- tomatoes
- eggs (organic and cage free, if possible)
- sparkling water
- coffee (something local, organic if possible)
- nuts (always try to rotate between almonds, cashews, or a mix)
Of course I grab other items from time to time — stuff that looks good, is seasonal, or is some sort of snack that I can throw in my work bag. But this is the standard bulk of what I get pretty much every time I’m there.
I realize that this all looks super healthy. And it is. It’s a lot of friggen whole, real, healthy food. This doesn’t mean I sit and gnaw on carrots all day, every day. I’m a human being, not a robot. I eat well when I’m at home and prioritize fueling my body well with good food because I care about feeling good and performing well — be that at my job, or in my workouts. Eating well is an act of self-care. I like to eat in a way, that says “hey girl — I actually give a shit about you.”
I eat well when I’m at home, and then I don’t worry about eating whatever the heck I want when I’m out to eat. If I’m out with my friends, I’m going to eat pizza and beer. Or I’m going to order the burger, and I’m not going to get it on a friggen lettuce bun. (No shade if that’s your jam — it’s just that eating an amazing burger without an actual bun is not, personally, enjoyable for me). If I’m out to eat, I’m gonna eat what I really want and not stress about it. Remember— enjoying your food, especially in the presence of friends, family (or even random strangers!) is taking care of your social and emotional health. It’s good for your SOUL. So hey— this is my balance. Prioritizing good, wholesome food and cooking when I’m at home, and eating what I want and refusing to stress out about it when I’m out to eat. Doesn’t mean that this is the right balance for everyone — I’m just saying that this is what works well for me.
So find YOUR balance. Find the right sweet spot for YOU, where you make eating well and nourishing yourself a priority, but that you also can thoroughly enjoy all the other amazing, more indulgent food that’s out there too. A balance that makes you both feel great and perform great. Who cares what everyone else is doing? Find what works for you, and chuck the rest.
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Costco questions I get all the time:
(1) “You buy all that food, it’s even in bulk, AND you’re able to eat it all yourself?”
Yes. When I’m home, I eat a lot of whole food and I cook a decent amount. Most of this stuff will last you at least two weeks (with maybe the exception of greens).
(2) “Is the membership fee worth it?”
Yes, especially if you’re actually going to shop there. The standard membership is $60, and you can put another person who lives in your house on the account too. And if you’re shopping for more than one human — you’ll definitely eat the stuff.
(3) “When is the best time to hit Costco?”
ANY TIME OTHER THAN SATURDAY OR SUNDAY. If you like going to Costco on the weekends, I’m sorry — you’re a maniac. It’s a zoo there. Like a literal zoo. I can’t even hang — and I’M A PRETTY HIGH ENERGY HUMAN.
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So that’s what I got folks. Half of eating healthy is knowing how and what to what to shop for. For me, having a kick-ass grocery store where I can get all the good food I need, at great prices is something I really value. And that’s why I’m a super big fan of Costco. <3
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