Nutritionist Identifies Specific Items to Avoid at Costco

A nutritionist, who shops for a two-person household, has shared specific items she opts not to buy at Costco, citing both health and practical considerations. While she values the wholesale retailer for certain bulk purchases, other popular products do not make her grocery list.

Among the items she avoids are bulk quantities of fresh produce, with the exception of long-lasting fruits like oranges and apples. For a small household, large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables can lead to waste before they can be consumed. Similarly, bulk spices are skipped as they tend to lose their flavor and potency over time, making large containers impractical for home cooks.

Premade meals like frozen breakfast sandwiches, skillets, and burritos, along with many premade soups, are also excluded due to their high sodium content. The nutritionist aims to keep her daily sodium intake to no more than 1,500 milligrams, aligning with American Heart Association recommendations for most adults. She prefers preparing her own balanced meals to manage sodium levels.

She also chooses whole eggs over cartons of egg whites, favoring the comprehensive nutritional benefits, including protein, amino acids, iron, and various vitamins, found in whole eggs. Additionally, she does not purchase vitamin supplements for herself, as her diverse diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains makes them unnecessary. However, she notes that supplements might be appropriate for others if recommended by a healthcare provider.

Candy is another category she avoids, except for occasions like Halloween, to minimize daily temptations in her pantry. Despite these exclusions, she frequently shops at Costco for items such as frozen fruit, whole eggs, and pantry staples, including olive oil, unsweetened nuts, and mixed-nut butter.

(Source: Business Insider)