If you're in search of individually wrapped nutritious snacks, Costco offers an impressive variety.
The individual portions are perfect for busy individuals, lunchboxes, or whenever you need a quick, convenient treat.
Buying individually wrapped snacks at Costco or other wholesale distributors is by far the most affordable and easiest way to save money on snacks and groceries.
In this guide, we'll explore some of the best individually wrapped snacks available at Costco, so you can stock up on your favorites during your next visit.
How to find the best healthy snacks
As a registered dietitian, I tend to look for certain criteria when choosing healthy snack options.
While not all of the snacks that I choose will meet these guidelines, I try to make make sure that they meet at least one of these values.
Nutritional Labels:
The healthiest snacks have lower levels of saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium and higher levels dietary fiber, protein, and essential nutrients.
Here are some specific criteria that I try to look for in all of my processed snacks.
Fiber: At least 2-3 grams of fiber per serving from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Added Sugar: 6 grams or less of added sugar per serving.
Ingredients: Choose snacks with simple and wholesome ingredients and avoid artificial additives and preservatives. Look for snacks made with real food ingredients and minimal processing.
Sodium: Less than 150mg of sodium per serving to promote heart health.
Ingredient List:
As a rule of thumb, all processed foods and snacks should have a short list of recognizable, whole-food ingredients.
Be cautious of snacks with lengthy ingredient lists filled with artificial additives and preservatives.
Balanced Macronutrients:
A combination of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats can provide sustained energy and keep you feeling full. Nuts, yogurt-based snacks, and whole-grain options are excellent choices.
Top 10 Healthy Costco Snacks (Individually Wrapped)
Bare Apple Chips
These apple chips are made with just one ingredient: apples. They add a great crunch and are the perfect healthy snack that is convenient for road trips or long hikes.
For moms with picky eaters, the Bare Apple Chips are a great way to make to hide fruits into their snacks.
They also are great as a crunchy topping for oatmeal, smoothies, or as a part of a trail mix with other nuts and seeds.
Quaker Rice Chips
If you're looking for a satisfying and crunchy snack, I love the Quaker Rice Chips.
These chips are made from whole-grain brown rice and come in various flavors including cheddar, sweet barbecue, buttermilk ranch, and more.
They are air popped and satisfy all of my savory, crunchy cravings!
That’s it Mini Fruit Bars
The That’s It fruit bars are made simply with real fruits and are my go-to snacks for long road trips.
Each bar is made from dehydrated fruits including apples, mangos, blueberries, and strawberries which make it simple to hit your daily recommended servings of five fruits and vegetables a day.
Unreal Chocolate
These are my favorite dark chocolate bars.
The Unreal Chocolate coconut bars are dark chocolate snacks filled with coconut and are similar to Bounty Bars.
They are my favorite dark chocolate snacks because they are low in added sugars and contain simple ingredients. Compared to the ingredients on most chocolate bars, Unreal uses coconut to add a natural source of fiber and cassava syrup to add sweetness.
I love the convenience of the individually wrapped versions, which allow for portion control and portability.
Babybel and Laughing Cow Cheeses
I love snacking on cheese for an easy and high protein snack.
Costco sells two of my favorite varieties of individually wrapped snacking cheeses: Babybel and Laughing Cow.
Babybel is a solid cheese that I like to bring with me in my lunch bag to snack on throughout the day. It is great on its own or paired with some fresh grapes or apples for a sweet and savory combination.
Laughing cow cheese on the other hand, is a soft, spreadable cheese that is a great spread for crackers or toast.
I love smearing a wedge of laughing cow cheese onto some whole grain crackers or rice cakes along with some seasonings for a delicious and simple snack.
autumn's Gold Grain Free Granola Bar
While these individually wrapped granola bars are on the pricier end, they are worth it for the high quality ingredients and delicious taste.
They are made primarily from seeds and nuts and are sweetened with a hint of maple syrup, which make these gluten-free, vegan, and paleo.
They are perfectly crunchy and the individual portion sizes make convenient for long road trips, afterschool snacks, and post-workout snacks.
Skinny Pop Popcorn
Skinny Pop Popcorn is my go-to popcorn and is a delicious and nutritious snack to have in your pantry.
Popcorn is a great whole-grain snack with an adequate source of fiber to help promote feelings of satiety and fullness.
Another great popcorn option at Costco is the Lesser Evil Popcorn, which is air-popped popcorn that is made with just popcorn, coconut oil, and salt.
Sweet Potato Sticks
If you’re looking for a quick carb source, I love these dried sweet potato sticks that are made from 100% sweet potatoes with no added sugar.
They have a naturally sweet and chewy texture, similar to that of dried fruit.
They would even be a great option as the main carb source for your meal when you don't have the time or energy to cook sweet potatoes.
Power Up Trail Mix
Trail mix is my favorite snack to have for pre-workout because it has a good mix of healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates.
The Power Up brand is lower in added sugars compared to the other brands available at Costco and I like the mixture of nuts and seeds.
When looking for trail mix, be mindful of the added oils and sugars because they are a sneaky place to hide them.
Roasted chestnuts
You'll find these roasted chestnuts at Costco seasonally around the holidays.
Chestnuts are rich in healthy carbohydrates and fiber. They are a good source of fiber, providing about 15% of your daily needs in a serving of 10 roasted chestnuts
These roasted chestnuts have come already pre-roasted, making them a convenient and healthy snack option.
Want to read more about my favorite store-bought products? Check these next posts out:
- The Best All Natural Peanut Butter (Dietitian Tested and Reviewed)
- The Best Gluten-Free Trader Joes Items for 2023 (Dietitian Reviews)
Want to make homemade snacks instead? Check out these recipes.
- Protein Microwave Mug Cake Recipe (NO Protein Powder or Baking Powder)
- Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola RECIPE (4-ingredients)
- Easy Homemade Larabars RECIPE (15 flavors)
- Healthy Heavenly Hunks Oatmeal Dark Chocolate RECIPE
- Easy Strawberry Protein Bars RECIPE (Healthy, Gluten-Free)
- Healthy Pumpkin Oat Bars Recipe
- No-Bake Four Ingredient Protein Bars Healthy Recipe
- Easy 5-Ingredient Vegan Banana Bread Recipe (No-Oil)
- 3 Ingredient Protein Fluff RECIPE
Leave a Reply