When I was pregnant, I would cycle between a few standard cravings: pizza, Panda Express, and cereal. I thought when I delivered my baby that the cravings would settle down and my eating habits would return to normal.
Wow, was I wrong.
Now that I’m nursing, I don’t just crave the occasional burger or milkshake. I eat anything and everything in sight like some sort of gremlin. Although I try my best to eat healthy, I’m more likely to snack on easy-to-eat foods that I can manage with a baby in one arm. As a result, I often opt for pre-prepped treats rather than fruits and veggies that require extra work.
Fortunately, our family has a Costco membership*, so it’s easy to buy diapers, wipes, and (of course) food in bulk. These Costco snacks are not as healthy as they could be, but they’re healthy enough that I don’t mind eating them between meals.
1. Heavenly Hunks
During the first few weeks of nursing, I had an intense craving for oats. I ate lots of overnight baked oatmeal and bowls of Cheerios. And I even made a loaf of oatmeal bread from time to time. But then I stumbled across Heavenly Hunks, and I now keep a steady supply of these bad boys in the fridge at all times.
Heavenly Hunks taste exactly like oatmeal cookie dough. They’re sweet, chewy, and have just the right amount of chocolate chips. They’re made from organic ingredients, and they have lots of fiber. But they are also high in sugar. Their small size makes it far too easy to eat a lot of them. So, I have to exhibit some self control or I’d easily eat a day’s worth of calories in one sitting.
2. Kirkland Nut Bars
After the first few weeks of nursing with my newborn, I realized that part of the reason I ate insane amounts of food was because I didn’t get enough protein in my diet to keep me full. Whenever the hunger pangs struck, my impulse was to reach for the carbs, no matter their shape or form.
Now, I’m starting to strike a better balance between my carbs and my proteins. Kirkland nut bars fit the bill perfectly. They have 5 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. The nut and chocolate combination also satisfy my urge to consume salty and sweet foods in abundance.
If you’re looking for Costco snacks to try, I highly recommend these tasty treats.
3. Organic Fudge Bars
Pregnant, nursing, or neither – no matter what stage of life I’m in, I have a hard time saying, “no” to ice cream. But milkshakes are calorie bombs, and just one scoop never quite seems like enough.
When I want to indulge in ice cream but don’t want to eat an entire day’s worth of calories in one sitting, I opt for Organic Fudge Bars. They’re creamy. They’re chocolatey. And I can’t get enough of their silky smooth texture. They’re easy to eat one-handed while nursing, and they always stay perfectly soft, even when frozen.
Better still, these bars are only 100 calories per serving, and they feature ingredients I actually recognize and understand. I don’t feel guilty eating these Costco snacks throughout the week.
4. Kirkland Peanut Butter Pretzels
I love salty, crunchy potato chips. Few things feel as satisfying as plopping down on the couch with a bag of chips and munching while I watch TV. But give me a whole bag, and I will eat the whole bag. Chips are easy to mindlessly eat, and they have a lot of unnecessary fat.
Fortunately, Kirkland Peanut Butter Pretzels are some of my favorite Costco snacks whenever I’m craving salty, crunchy foods. The peanut butter gives a whopping 15 grams protein, and surprisingly, they have 5 grams fiber per serving.
However, like chips, these are calorie-dense foods. When portioned out correctly, these peanut butter pretzel nuggets make for a nice snack. But when left to my own devices, it’s very easy to eat too many of these tasty treats.
5. Wild Roots Coast Berry Trail Mix
Nursing a baby can feel like running a marathon some days. Feeding a baby every hour on the hour for 20 minutes is exhausting even on a good day. And like marathon runners, moms need to extra fuel to keep going. Trail mix is a great choice for athletes and nursing moms alike because it offers a blend of carbohydrates for immediate fuel and protein for long-term energy.
Although you can find a lot of different trail mix options at Costco, I personally enjoy the Wild Roots Coast Berry Trail mix because it changes things up from the typical chocolate chip, raisin, and peanut combination. Instead, it has a blend of almonds, cashews, yogurt chips, dried cranberries, and blueberries.
As I’m slightly anemic, I like that this trail mix has a bit of iron to give me that extra boost.
What Are Your Favorite Costco Snacks?
As a Costco member, I’m always on the lookout for good deals. The above foods are just a few Costco snacks I purchase on a regular basis, though there are plenty more that I splurge on from time to time.
Do you have a favorite snack that’s not listed here? Please feel free to share your beloved treats in the comment section below. I’d love to add more items to my roster.
Do you prefer healthier options? These are my favorite healthy snacks to buy.
*Note: I am a Costco member, but I do not receive any perks or commissions for recommending Costco to friends. I just like to shop there.
