The following Costco healthy breakfast items are excellent additions to any healthy diet. It is not difficult to find products that are unhealthy in a grocery store. Most other retailers carry a large selection of cheap, convenience food that is filled with preservatives and additives.
Best Healthy Breakfast Foods to Buy at Costco, According to a Dietitian
Start your mornings right with these healthy breakfast finds from Costco.
I love breakfast (check out my favorite breakfast of all time here). I’m a morning person, and after water and coffee (mmmmm, coffee), I pretty much always start my day with breakfast. The key to a good breakfast for me is it has to be satisfying. I don’t want to deal with hanger just an hour later. That means enjoying a balance of protein, healthy fats and fiber most mornings. That might look like oatmeal with nuts and fruit, a yogurt parfait with berries and granola, a smoothie with some peanut butter toast or an egg and cheese sandwich (try these make-ahead high-protein breakfasts for inspiration). One place that never lets me down for all my go-to breakfast grocery needs is Costco. They have a great lineup of foods to help you start your day right. Check out my favorite breakfast foods to pickup at Costco (and if you need inspiration for other meals here are my favorite healthy foods from Costco and my favorite healthy snacks from Costco).
1. Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Flapjack and Waffle Mix
My dad loves making pancakes from scratch, but I need super easy. With Kodiak Cakes all you do is add water. And yet, they’re made with all the ingredients I would use, like whole-wheat flour, oat flour, buttermilk powder and a little bit of sugar (just 2g of added sugar per serving, which is a 1/2 tsp). They do include protein as well, so there’s 14g in a serving of pancakes. I think they taste light and fluffy (and almost as delicious as my dad’s homemade pancakes) but they’ve got a leg up when it comes to nutrients and convenience. The mix is a great price at Costco and comes in a big box with three individually sealed bags inside.
2. Quaker Oats
Yes, it’s possible to eat your way through a 5-lb box of oatmeal. We often make oatmeal for breakfasts (in the microwave on busy mornings, here’s how to cook it). It’s a whole-grain that has heart-healthy fiber. You can add your own flavors by topping these oats with blueberries, banana, apples or more. Overnight oats are another breakfast favorite.
3. Purely Elizabeth Organic Granola
My favorite granola is homemade (and EatingWell has some amazing recipes to try). But when I run out of time to make my own Purely Elizabeth delivers amazing taste and flavor in a store-bought package. It is a little more expensive, but Costco carries a 24-oz bag of Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Granola for $15.99 (which is much less per ounce than you’ll pay for smaller bags at the regular store). It’s made with nuts, seeds and coconut and adds a lovely crunch on top of yogurts or smoothies.
4. Dave’s Killer Bread
I always try to keep a whole-grain bread on hand for quick breakfast sandwiches or toast. Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains and Seeds is made with whole-wheat flour and boasts 5g of fiber and 5g of protein per slice. Those nutrients help fill you up since they take longer to digest. It comes in a 2-pack, so if you don’t go through bread fast you can store it in your freezer and toast as needed. I love topping this with peanut butter and banana slices or eggs and avocado for a satisfying breakfast.
5. Eggs
Eggs are a protein-rich breakfast staple and if you go through them fast in your house—Costco is the place to stock up. You will be buying 2-dozen at a time, but you can get cage-free and organic eggs for a very affordable price. Eggs also deliver the mineral choline and lutein and zeaxanthin, which are carotenoids that are important for healthy eyes (learn more about the health benefits of eggs). Enjoy eggs scrambled, in a sandwich or get inspired with one of our make-ahead egg breakfasts.
6. Frozen Fruit
If you have space in your freezer, grab a bag of frozen fruit the next time you’re at Costco. Frozen fruit is usually more affordable than fresh, and it’s frozen at peak ripeness so it’s just as nutritious. The varieties will vary by store but I usually see mango, berries, cherries and more. They’re all perfect for adding to smoothies, oatmeal or yogurt parfaits for breakfast.
The Best Costco Breakfast Items to Buy Right Now, Say Dietitians
Plus, these items make mornings so easy.
It’s true that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. What you eat in the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day and provides you with fuel to make it to the next meal. Packing a bunch of nutrition into your morning can not only keep you full until lunchtime but also provide you with nutrients that’ll continue to do the work to keep your heart healthy, your brain healthy, and your whole body healthy long after the meal is done.
Costco has a ton of bulk-sized breakfast items throughout the store, from frozen foods to shelf-stable additions to your meal. Though warehouses around the country may differ, you can surely find healthy choices in your local store if you just know what you’re looking for. These are some of the healthiest breakfast items nutrition experts recommend at Costco right now.
1
Nature’s Path Organic Pumpkin Seed + Flax Granola
Nature’s Path granola has pumpkin seeds and flax for a boost of omega-3s to start your day. The granola is ever-so-slightly sweetened for taste, can be eaten with some plain Greek yogurt for extra protein, and will last a while since it comes in a Costco-sized 2+ pound bag for $9.49.
“Eating a granola with nuts and seeds is a great way to boost your intake of healthy fats,” says Ashley Larsen, RDN, owner of Ashley Larsen Nutrition in California. “Our body needs a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids since we do not produce any naturally. Flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds found in this product are a great source of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3, that can help reduce inflammation and prevent chronic disease such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.”
2
Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal
It doesn’t get more comforting than a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios in the morning. Though Kacie Barnes, MCN, RDN, owner of Mama Knows Nutrition, prefers plain Cheerios from a nutrition standpoint, the Honey Nut variety isn’t exactly the worst thing you could eat to start your day.
“As a fortified breakfast cereal, Honey Nut Cheerios can help bridge nutritional gaps if you’re not the best at getting in your daily fruit and veggie servings,” she says. “Plus, it has some fiber to help promote good digestion.”
Larsen notes that the fiber in Cheerios can definitely do you some good, which is why this cereal is a great choice. “A recent review of studies showed that the fiber in oats can help to improve our gut health by improving our immune system’s response to harmful bacteria or viruses,” she shares.
But if you’re concerned about sugar, Barnes points out that original Cheerios have less added sugar, so grab that giant box at Costco instead if you want to watch your sugar intake! (It’s currently on sale for under $8.)
3
Evol Breakfast Burritos
Evol has a selection of frozen breakfast foods that make grab-and-go easier than ever. You can snag the egg and green chile burritos in Costco’s freezer section, and they’re packed with flavor and good-for-you ingredients like cage-free eggs and Hatch green chiles. (Though the sodium content is a bit high, so be aware of that if you’re watching your salt.)
“This on-the-go breakfast item can be great for busy mornings to help fuel you with high-quality protein and plant-based fibers from beans and chiles,” Larsen says. “Breakfast is so important for our energy levels and alertness throughout the day. If you’re struggling with having time for a balanced breakfast in the morning, a quick option like this can easily get the job done.”
4
Red’s Egg’wich Turkey Sausage
Red’s breakfast sandwiches remove bread from the equation for anyone who is watching their carb intake. Like a lot of frozen food, though, the sodium content is what you want to watch out for, but it’s not a deal-breaker!
“I love this breadless option for those wanting a low-carb start to the day,” Barnes says. “Although it’s low in calories at less than 200 calories per serving, the high protein will help keep you full. They are high in sodium, so I’d balance out your day with lower sodium options for lunch and dinner.”
5
Jimmy Dean Delights Turkey Sausage, Egg White & Cheese English Muffin
If you’re someone who absolutely loves to have a hearty breakfast sandwich in the morning and usually stop at McDonald’s or Starbucks to do just that, maybe consider making a healthier change. Jimmy Dean’s breakfast sandwiches are a bit on the healthier side (plus they’ll save you money!).
“These have only 1/3 of the saturated fat content compared to their traditional counterpart,” Barnes says. “I would 100% make the switch from a traditional sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit sandwich to these.” Just as long as you’re watching the sodium count!
Not-to-Be Missed Costco Breakfast Finds — They’re All Ready in 5 Minutes or Less
Heather McClees is a nutritionist and freelance writer from South Carolina who covers health, food, and lifestyle topics for a variety of online publications. She has a B.S. in Nutrition Science and Dietetics and a background in communications and news journalism.
I’m not one of those people who rolls out of bed feeling hungry on a regular basis. But I do make it a point to have, at least, a little something for breakfast every morning. Yogurt, oatmeal, and smoothies are some of my favorites. Of course, I like to mix things up. I’ve even scoured unexpected aisles in the grocery store to find ways to add fresh flavors to my morning staples.
Recently, I visited my local Costco to scope out the best new and returning breakfast options this spring. I also tasked myself with choosing items that required minimal or no prep (read: they all needed to be ready to eat in five minutes or less). Let me tell you — the bulk warehouse did not disappoint. Among the rows of chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and fruit flavored finds, these are the five I’ll be buying all season long.
1. MUSH Vanilla Almond Ready-to-Eat Oats, $12 for 8 (5-ounce) cups
You might have noticed these cups popping up on shelves in refrigerated sections of your local grocery store. The dairy-free, ready-to-eat oats have a similar texture and consistency to homemade overnight oats and come in a wide array of flavors. My favorite, the vanilla almond, is the one you’ll find in bulk at right now at Costco (look next to the yogurts). You get eight perfectly portioned 5-ounce cups, made with nothing but oats, almonds, vanilla, a few dates for natural sweetness, and cinnamon. I enjoy mine with a few fresh berries sprinkled on top!
2. Orgain Organic Protein and Superfoods Café Latte Protein Powder, , $28 for 2.2 pounds
I don’t always have much of an appetite when I wake up, so lighter meals, like shakes, have become a breakfast staple of mine. This new mix by Orgain, the widely popular brand sold at Costco, is a must for coffee-lovers! Made with organic veggies, plant-based protein, and just a hint of organic coffee, it’s super easy to digest, which makes it great for the mornings. It’s also soy-, gluten-, and dairy-free and has zero added sugar. I give one scoop of this powder, along with a frozen banana, one cup of frozen wild blueberries, a handful of frozen spinach, and some unsweetened almond milk, a quick blend in my NutriBullet. It takes just three minutes total prep!
3. Stonyfield Organic Probiotic Strawberry Smoothie, $10 for 12 (6-ounce) smoothies
Stonyfield is one of my favorite organic brands of yogurt, and I love that their products are becoming more widely available at Costco. These smoothies are also great if you want something light and easy on the stomach first thing in the morning — and if you prefer fruit flavors over coffee. Packed with probiotics, they’re are a good source of protein, coming in at six grams (the same as one egg) in a six-ounce container. I like to pair them with a banana on my way out the door. I’ll also have them for a mid-afternoon snack on occasion.
4. Tattooed Chef Organic Açai Bowls, $12 for 6 (5.5-ounce) bowls
These açai bowls have been a popular Costco item for sometime now, and they usually pop up at my local warehouse when the warm weather comes into full swing. They’re vegan, organic, gluten-free, and packed with antioxidants, courtesy of the organic açai and other berries, which are also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. You just have to wait three to five minutes: That’s how long they take to thaw on the counter before they are ready to eat. I also like that the granola is packaged separately, so you don’t have to use any (or all) of it if you don’t want to; I actually prefer them without it.