I’m a nutritionist who loves to shop at Costco — but there are 11 things I never buy there

Some people may prefer eating only egg whites — they contain fewer calories and less cholesterol than the yolks — but I’d rather use whole eggs and also get the benefits of the yolk.

Whole eggs are an excellent source of protein, amino acids, iron, and vitamins A, B6, B12, and D. Luckily, Costco also sells cartons of eggs in bulk for a reasonable price.

Starting the day with a frozen breakfast sandwich, skillet, or burrito that contains more than half of my ideal daily sodium intake is not for me. 

I like to keep my sodium intake to no more than 1,500 milligrams per day, which is what the American Heart Association says is ideal for most adults. Doing so can have benefits, such as reducing one’s risk of high blood pressure. 

One way I keep my intake low is by avoiding premade breakfasts. Instead, I try to have a balanced meal with whole grains, nut butter, and fruit in the morning. The Kirkland Signature mixed-nut butter is one of my favorites.

I’m all for eating as many fresh vegetables and fruits as you can, but the bulk Costco quantities are often too much for my husband and me. 

At Costco, I only buy oranges and apples that can last several weeks in the fridge.

Otherwise, I opt to pick up frozen fruits and vegetables that are ready to use whenever I need them. Fortunately, Costco has a great selection of frozen produce.

There are a lot of Kirkland Signature soups that sound delicious, but I still haven’t found one that meets my strict sodium requirements.

For example, I won’t buy any soup that contains more than 20% of the daily recommended value of sodium per serving, as listed on the label.

Instead, I make my own soup using homemade broth, which can be made with water and veggie scraps.

Likely in part because I eat a diverse diet with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, I haven’t needed to buy multivitamins or special supplements. 

But that’s just me — if your healthcare provider recommends a supplement or multivitamin, Costco might be the place to stock up. 

Spices are wonderful for adding a flavor explosion to your meals and can be a healthier alternative to added salt.

However, those giant canisters I see at Costco are just too big for most home cooks, since many seasonings lose potency over time.

For example, I love cinnamon and use it regularly, but I don’t even get through a small bottle before it expires or starts to lose flavor. I certainly wouldn’t purchase a massive container of it.

Costco can be a great place to buy bulk bags of candy for trick-or-treaters around Halloween. Unless it’s October, though, I avoid having tasty candy bars like Kit-Kats in my pantry to tempt me. 

As much as I love a good snack, I prefer to pick up a single chocolate bar when I have a craving.

I know not everyone is so lucky, but I live in an area with safe, clean drinking water.

I also have more reusable water bottles in my cupboard than I need, so I have no reason to waste money or resources on bottled water.

Costco’s selection of cereal is certainly impressive. However, as I mentioned, I prefer to make my own breakfast. This helps me control my sodium and sugar intake — many cereals contain more sugar than I’d prefer to have at the start of my day.

Instead, I stock up on other breakfast essentials at Costco, like whole-grain bread, oats, and eggs. I only buy smaller boxes of cereal when I’m craving it. 

Cauliflower crusts can be great for those who are avoiding gluten or monitoring their carb intake, but I love a classic pizza.

As a nutritionist, I know how important balance is, and sometimes that means satisfying cravings. So when I want pizza, I opt for the real deal with a doughy, bready crust, which you can also find at Costco.

I’ll happily eat my cauliflower (or other veggie of choice) on the side to balance out my meal.

Between the dough, cheese, and meat toppings, pizza can get pretty high in sodium, so I like to add veggies on top and serve it with a salad. 

Costco has a wide selection of protein powders, shakes, and bars, which can be great for those who need them. However, I try to get my protein from simpler sources, like eggs, nuts, or hummus.

Throughout my work, I’ve also learned that many American adults actually reach or exceed their daily protein requirements. When this is the case, there’s usually no need to worry about getting extra protein boosts.

It’s worth checking in with a healthcare provider or professional to see if you even need additional protein in your diet before committing to such bulk buys.

This story was originally published on June 6, 2022, and most recently updated on June 17, 2026.