I'm a dietitian on the Mediterranean diet. Here are 12 things I'm buying at Costco this spring.
- I'm a dietitian on the Mediterranean diet, and I love shopping at Costco in the spring.
- I make sure to stock up on staples such as Dave's Killer Bread, olive oil, and low-sugar granola.
- Burrata, avocados, grapes, and pistachios are also always in my cart when the weather warms up.
I've been following a Mediterranean-style diet for as long as I can remember, thanks to the combination of my chosen profession (registered dietitian) and my heritage (part of my family is from the Mediterranean region). I was eating hummus stateside before it was cool.
The Mediterranean diet is constantly being touted as the best way to eat, and I love that it works for me as someone who doesn't like to cook that much.
Costco isn't my go-to spot for all my staples. But there are some products I'm excited to toss in my grocery cart to help me eat seasonally, especially when spring rolls around.
Here are the 12 things I'm buying at Costco this spring as a registered dietitian who follows the Mediterranean diet.
The Mediterranean diet is all about plant-based proteins and antioxidants. Pistachios fit the bill.
These nuts are one of the few sources of complete plant-based protein and have a high antioxidant capacity.
Grapes are rich in antioxidants, especially polyphenols, making them one of my favorite additions to my springtime diet.
My family loves eating them as is or freezing them for an icy treat.
Dave's Killer Bread is full of whole grains, comes thinly sliced, and tastes lighter than other brands, which appeals to me.
I love it as a base for a hummus-veggie sandwich at lunchtime.
Costco sells packs of two, so I always freeze one to enjoy later in the season.
Avocados go well on top of my springtime salads, sandwiches, and omelets.
The healthy monounsaturated fats found in the fruits make them a superstar addition to the Mediterranean diet.
Nothing screams springtime quite like asparagus, and the bulk packages at Costco provide way more than what we can eat in one sitting.
Thankfully, leftover asparagus is a fantastic addition to a frittata or chilled soup.
I love to top my springtime salads with burrata and shelled pistachios.
I get calcium from the cheese and protein from the nuts to keep me full.
In my family, springtime means the start of swim-team season, which means I need some easy meals to prep for busy school nights.
Cuisine Solutions' sous-vide seared salmon is ready in minutes and tastes divine.
My daughter loves Veggies Made Great's muffins as a part of her after-school snack.
And I love that they help me sneak some veggies into her diet.
Olive oil is a major part of the Mediterranean diet, and Costco has several options at great prices.
I snagged the Pompeian brand this time. But I've also tried the generic Kirkland oil before, and it was just as good.
Japanese barbecue sauce isn't something you'd automatically think to buy when following the Mediterranean diet. But I love that Bachan's is made from quality ingredients.
I like to use it as a marinade, dip, or sauce for all kinds of meals.
Whole grains are a must on the Mediterranean diet. Unfortunately, many store-bought granolas are loaded with added sugar.
But One Degree's sprouted granola at Costco is relatively low in sugar. I love adding it to yogurt parfaits along with some spring fruits and local honey.
I love that the Mediterranean diet allows for sweets in moderation.
Dark chocolate is one of my favorite desserts because it contains antioxidants and is typically lower in added sugar.
The SkinnyDipped cups have 2 grams of added sugar and are free from artificial sweeteners.
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Correction: April 29, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the brand name of the seared salmon. It's from Cuisine Solutions.