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Boxes of Amylu chicken meatballs lined up in rows at Costco.
Because I know exactly what I want to buy, I can be in and out of Costco in under 10 minutes.

Jessica Tzikas

  • I make 10-minute weekly Costco runs for protein-heavy, nutritious items for my family of four.
  • The Just Bare breaded-chicken-breast chunks are a great Chick-fil-A dupe.
  • My kids' favorite is the Polly-O string cheese, which is also a sneaky source of protein.

My husband and I have always been Costco shoppers, but after having our two girls, our once-a-month Costco runs turned into once-a-week trips.

With a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old who can empty a strawberry container in no time, we've learned that Costco was our best option for keeping our groceries within a reasonable budget.

Costco has also been ideal in meeting two of our most important dietary requirements: protein-heavy items for my husband and me and dye-free, nutritious items for the kids.

After shopping at the retailer every week for years, I've learned which products are ideal for our lifestyle. In fact, by knowing exactly what I need, I can be in and out of Costco in 10 minutes flat.

Here are the 11 staples I always pick up.

Amylu chicken meatballs are a delicious protein option.
Someone holding up a pack of Amylu chicken meatballs at Costco.
I love the Amylu chicken meatballs.

Jessica Tzikas

Amylu is one of my favorite brands, so I always like to see which products Costco is carrying. The grocer often carries the flavorful Amylu chicken meatballs, which I love to cook with rice or pasta.

There are 17 grams of protein in each serving, which is great for crafting easy, well-balanced meals. If the meatballs aren't there, I'll often pick up sausages or other meats from Amylu — a brand that has yet to steer us wrong.

Nature Valley protein chewy bars are the best-tasting energy bars I’ve found.
Someone holding up a box of Nature Valley protein energy bars in front of stacks of other boxes in Costco.
Out of all Costco's options, the Nature Valley protein chewy bars take the cake for me.

Jessica Tzikas

Most energy bars I've tried don't taste the best, but the Nature Valley protein chewy bars are an exception. Costco has a lot of options when it comes to protein bars. However, these are my favorite by far.

They have 10 grams of protein per bar, and although that may be a bit lower than other options out there, the delicious taste makes up for it.

The chocolate-and-peanut-butter flavor satisfies my sweet tooth, and the bars are filling enough to get me through school pickup and my kids' extracurricular activities.

We’ve relied on the Kirkland Signature fruit-and-vegetable pouches for years.
Someone holding up a box of Kirkland Signature fruit and vegetable pouches in front of a stack of boxes.
Kirkland Signature fruit-and-vegetable pouches are great on-the-go snacks.

Jessica Tzikas

Kirkland Signature fruit-and-vegetable pouches have been a staple in my home since my oldest daughter began eating solid food. Five years later, they're still a great on-the-go snack for both my girls.

The sugar content is low, and they're easy to eat and open, making them an ideal snack for school or when they inevitably get hungry five minutes into a car ride.

The Seeds of Change organic quinoa and brown rice is a delicious item to pair with meat.
Someone holding a box of Seeds of Change organic quinoa and brown rice in front of a shelf with other boxes at Costco.
I throw a Seeds of Change organic quinoa-and-brown-rice packet in the microwave to pair with any meal.

Jessica Tzikas

With so much meat in our cart, it's important to balance it out with some carbs. The Seeds of Change organic quinoa-and-brown-rice packets can be microwaved quickly to elevate any meal.

I pair the rice with chicken or beef and add a balsamic glaze or dressing for a great adult-only meal. Plus, the kids love these rice packets, too — which is always a win in our book.

I always make room in my bag for the Golden Island Korean-barbecue snack bites.
Someone holding up a bag of the Golden Island Korean-barbecue snack bites in front of a shelf with other bags and snacks in Costco.
Golden Island Korean-barbecue snack bites are a protein-filled pantry staple for us.

Jessica Tzikas

As a working mom of two, I don't have much time to get all my protein in during the day. These Golden Island Korean-barbecue snack bites have quickly become a pantry staple for us.

Not only are they delicious and easy to throw in my bag, but they're also a good source of protein.

Bear fruit rolls are a dye-free must-have for my kids.
Someone holding up a box of Bear fruit rolls in front of other boxes of snacks in Costco.
Each Bear fruit-roll pack comes with an animal trading card.

Jessica Tzikas

My kids are huge snackers, but I try to keep their snacks as healthy as possible, particularly avoiding red dye.

My girls have been eating the Bear fruit rolls for years and continue to ask for them all the time. Plus, each pack comes with a little animal trading card, making these healthy, delicious, and fun.

Just Bare breaded-chicken-breast chunks are the perfect Chick-fil-A dupe.
Someone holding up a bag of Just Bare breaded chicken-breast chunks in front of the freezer section in Costco.
My husband loves these Just Bare breaded-chicken-breast chunks.

Jessica Tzikas

If my husband had to pick one item from Costco, it would be these Just Bare breaded-chicken-breast chunks. They taste just like Chick-fil-A nuggets but can be made at home.

One serving of these nuggets has 16 grams of protein and only 6 grams of fat, making them a great option for lunch or dinner.

We often make chicken Caesar wraps with these. I also like to top off our salads with a handful of nuggets to up our protein intake without sacrificing taste.

We love snacking on the two-ingredient That’s It mini fruit bars.
Someone holding up a bag of That's It mini fruit bars in front of shelves with other snacks at Costco.
My kids love all the flavors the That's It mini fruit bars come in.

Jessica Tzikas

The That's It mini fruit bars are the holy grail of kids' snacks. My kids love all three flavors, and the small size of each bar means none of it goes to waste. Plus, they're made with just two fruits — and nothing else.

I throw one of these in their snack bags every day, which makes me feel better knowing they'll have something nutritious to munch on.

Celsius is a must for keeping our energy levels up through bedtime.
Someone holding up a Celsius variety pack box in Costco.
My husband and I grab a can of Celsius to keep us going.

Jessica Tzikas

With two young kids and two full-time jobs, my husband and I are often exhausted. We like to view Celsius as our parenting sidekick.

I personally love to have a can before my 6:30 a.m. Orange Theory class. My husband loves them as a 3 p.m. pick-me-up before the kids get home.

The variety packs at Costco include our favorite flavors, and they usually have two different flavor-pack options to choose from.

Polly-O string cheese is a sneaky source of kid-approved protein.
Someone holding up a bag of Polly-O string cheese in Costco.
My daughters will eat two Polly-O string cheeses a day.

Jessica Tzikas

Just like my husband would choose the Just Bare chicken nuggets as his No. 1 item, my kids would choose the Polly-O string cheese as their favorite.

On an average day, my daughters probably each eat about two of these. We always have one as a bedtime snack.

The convenience of the packaging and the large quantity is ideal for us. Plus, each cheese stick has 7 grams of protein, so my husband and I love them too.

I use the Hillshire Farms turkey breast to make the ultimate sandwich.
Packages of Hillshire Farms turkey breast in a pack in front of the refrigerated section in Costco.
The Hillshire Farms turkey breast makes a great quick snack with a slice of cheese.

Jessica Tzikas

My daughter likes to call my turkey sandwiches the "best sandwich in the world." Although I don't quite agree with her, the Hillshire Farms turkey is a great option for lunch meat.

I use this to make sandwiches and wraps or for a quick snack with a slice of cheese.

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I've perfected my Costco runs to be under 10 minutes. Here are 11 staples I buy…