Harmful Food Items in Costco, According to Health Experts, that May Cause Harm to Your Body
Costco Unhealthy Foods: Fuel for Occasional Indulgence
Bet you didn't know that Costco, the wholesale paradise filled with a cornucopia of food, drinks, and desserts, also harbors some good ol' eat-'em-sometimes treats. Sure, the variety includes many healthy-ish options, but let's be real, it's those not-so-guilty pleasures that most of us can't resist. Here are seven Costco foods you may want to eat sparingly as they pack a nutritional punch that could leave you feeling sluggish after excessive consumption.
Sugary Cheesecake Heavenly Delight
The Kirkland Signature 12" Cheesecake is a sugary powerhouse, boasting a whopping 6,720 calories in total, and 432 grams of sugar. To serve it according to Costco's recommendation, you'd need to cut it into 16 slices, which can easily result in eating more than you intended. So it's best saved for those special occasions when you want to indulge like a boss.
Croissants: Someone Pass the Calories!
The Kirkland Signature Butter Croissants are popular because, let's face it, who can resist the buttery, flaky goodness? However, each pastry contains 300 calories and isn't precisely brimming with nutrients. Plus, they're ultraprocessed and high in refined carbs—not a great combo for daily snacking.
Pricey Pocket-Sized Pups and Hotdogs
A Costco hot dog tradition certainly has its charm, but the Kirkland Signature Beef Hot Dogs are stuffed with unhealthy additives, such as nitrites and nitrates. If you're a hot dog lover, try to limit your indulgence.
Not Worth the Bacon-ing Up
Precooked bacon can be a lifesaver when you're pressed for time, but the Kirkland Signature Fully-Cooked Bacon is not the best choice because preservatives and other additives give it an off-taste some folks find less than appetizing.
Fake-It-Until-You-Kinda-Make-It Pizza Night
Cauliflower products, like the Kirkland Supreme Cauliflower Pizza, are often marketed as healthier alternatives, but this "better-for-you" pizza contains 900 mg of sodium and doesn't exactly fit the low-carb bill. Carb-conscious folks might want to skip this one.
Corned-Up Chick-a-Dog
Foster Farms Jumbo Chicken Corn Dogs are among the most ultra-processed products Costco offers, along with a high sodium and sugar content. As one savvy shopper put it, "If you're going to make chicken sausage, it needs to go into a gumbo. Chicken wasn't designed for hot dogs."
Chicken Mega-Bakes: Style Points, Taste Points, Nutritional Points — Zero!
The Kirkland Signature Chicken Bakes are calorie and sodium bombs. These high-calorie, high-sodium treats fail to deliver in taste, with fans suggesting they're merely an adequate alternative to the food court's crispy offerings. One unimpressed member even called out the over-the-top sodium content, declaring, "That's over a day's worth of both for me."
In conclusion, while these fatty, sugary, and sodium-laden treats can prove hard to resist, it's crucial to maintain balance in your daily diet and enjoy them occasionally. Hardcore fans might want to stock up on these Costco items for special occasions, or better yet, find healthier alternatives for regular consumption.
Sources:
[1] ConsumerAffairs.com (2022). Costco Groceries. Retrieved from https://www.consumeraffairs.com/shopping/costco/costco_reviews_06212022060209/
- While the Kirkland Signature 12" Cheesecake can be an irresistible indulgence, its high sugar content and excessive calories make it a food best saved for special occasions.
- Despite their popularity, the Kirkland Signature Butter Croissants, being ultraprocessed and high in refined carbs, aren't ideal for daily snacking due to their nutrient deficiency.
- When it comes to hot dogs, the Kirkland Signature Beef Hot Dogs, with their unhealthy additives, should be enjoyed sparingly by those who appreciate their flavor.
- The Kirkland Supreme Cauliflower Pizza, marketed as a healthier alternative, can be misleading, containing high sodium levels and not being suitable for low-carb diets.
