Maintaining muscle flexibility and health requires adequate intake of protein, which is also an essential nutrient for the body. However, high-quality protein foods are generally expensive. But members of the U.S. warehousing chain store Costco can enjoy affordable high-quality protein products.
As daily grocery costs continue to rise and modern individuals are almost always in a busy state, many people who also engage in fitness find it essential to supplement their daily protein intake. Generally, the recommended daily protein intake for adults is approximately “0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.” For example, for a weight of 50 kilograms, one should consume at least about 40 grams of protein per day.
There is a wide variety of protein-rich foods available on the market. For savvy consumers, Costco is beloved for its low-cost, high-quality food products, discounted gasoline, and extremely inexpensive food court. People’s love for Costco is completely understandable, as Costco has become one of the top choices for finding products with high cost performance. Currently, Costco has over 800 stores worldwide and more than 100 million members.
Costco offers a variety of foods for sale, including a range of protein-rich deli, meat, canned foods, and even snacks. However, members particularly favor 7 protein-rich foods at Costco for their value and cost-saving benefits.
Here are 7 high-protein foods from Costco.
Safe Catch’s wild yellowfin tuna has a delicious taste and extremely high protein content.
“The Safe Catch yellowfin tuna canned is great. A pack of 6 cans is priced at $13, with each can containing 42 grams of protein. Paired with some salty crackers, it makes for a simple and quick meal,” said a Reddit user.
“I mix some corn, egg yolk sauce, red onions, and lemon juice with Mary’s Gone Crackers (also from Costco), and it tastes delicious. It’s also great as a snack or lunch,” another user added.
Protein bars are a quick and convenient way to increase protein intake in the body. Most protein bars are thick, dense, and chewy, but Costco’s Built Puff protein bars are different. They have a unique marshmallow-like density, but with a chewy texture. They come in coconut and chocolate brownie flavors.
How do Costco members rate this puff protein bar? “140 calories/17 grams of protein, a different texture compared to most protein bars, and the coconut flavor is delicious. They are a great dessert option,” commented a member.
These protein bars are great for breakfast, pre-workout snacks, or light lunches. Since they are individually wrapped, they can be easily stored in a gym bag, wallet, or backpack.
However, some members point out that this snack is sweetened and the coating is very sweet, which is a downside.
Among Costco’s best value for money hot foods, roasted chicken is a favorite! A juicy and crispy whole roasted chicken costs around $5.
This roasted chicken is the top choice for consumers looking for a healthy, whole-food protein source.
DealNews consumer analyst Julie Ramhold told GOBankingRates.com, “All you have to do is cut it open and add some sides… Even better, if your family has only two to three people, you can eat the juicy parts, like the thighs and legs, and use the chicken breast for something else, like chicken salad.”
Chinese netizens also share that Costco roasted chicken can be utilized in three ways: besides the methods mentioned by Ramhold, the uneaten chicken bones can be used to make delicious and nutritious chicken soup.
“I always carry vacuum-sealed white roasted chicken meat packs. This meal is simple and clean,” one member said.
Another user commented, “In terms of price and quality, nothing beats the roasted chicken. It’s fresh, not canned or processed.”
Costco’s own brand Greek yogurt is another protein-rich snack that is favored by health-conscious consumers, with some members saying full-fat yogurt is better.
A Costco employee once mentioned that adding some fruits to skimmed Greek yogurt is a good way to enjoy it, as the yogurt is gluten-free and a good source of calcium.
Registered dietitian-nutritionist Lauren Harris-Pincus told NBC that substituting sour cream with yogurt can help in reducing fat intake. This yogurt can also be added to smoothies to boost protein, or used as a sour cream substitute in main dishes.
Costco members love these Italian-style beef meatballs, which are fully cooked and ready to eat. Each serving of meatballs contains 12 grams of protein.
“For a while, my son only ate these meatballs and chicken nuggets as his protein source. We’ve gone through many bags of these meatballs. He got a bit tired of them later on, but we always have a bag of these meatballs in our fridge. They go great with quick Italian pasta dishes,” one review stated.
Kirkland Signature’s oven-roasted turkey breast, from Costco’s own brand products, is another popular product among members, who appreciate the 12 grams of protein per serving.
“I love this. I cut it into four portions and freeze them,” one member commented.
“This is much better than any sliced meat from Costco. Real breast meat, with minimal ingredients, easy to slice…