The Costco food court is always there when you need it, ready to serve pizza and hot dogs to fuel you through home depot holiday hours a day of shopping. And while it might’ve changed a bit the last year, the beloved food court is back. But the warehouse chain’s affordable food isn’t the best for your body. Those quarter-pound hot dogs and pepperoni pizza slices are loaded with fat and sodium, and drinks like the cold brew mocha freeze are brimming with sugar.
That said, sometimes you might find yourself at the Costco food court, whether by choice or because you just need some fuel to get through the day. To help you make an informed decision next time you’re there, we asked RDs and nutritionists to share their top picks at the Costco food court, and which foods they’d steer clear of at all costs. (As a note, you might not see all of these menu options at your local food court. Costco had reduced its menu during the pandemic, and the most recent nutrition PDF the warehouse could provide us was from 2018.
“In terms of calories and sodium, the Italian sausage is the better option,” says Mary-Catherine Stockman, MPH, RD, LDN, owner of Busy Babes Nutrition, LLC. “It also provides 24 grams of protein. However, processed meats like sausage, ham, and pepperoni are linked to a higher risk of cancer. They also tend to be extremely high in sodium, contributing to bloat and water retention. With no veggies in this sandwich, there is minimal fiber, making this a less-than-desirable ‘best’ option.”
When Costco’s full menu returns, we’re hoping the chicken bake will still be on the list. “With the lowest amount of saturated fat and highest protein content, the chicken bake is the best option,” says Mascha Davis MPH, RDN, Private Practice Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, founder of NomadistaNutrition.com and author of the newly released book Eat Your Vitamins.
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