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Buying healthy food choices in bulk at Sam's Club is a great way to stay on track with good eating in the New Year!
Hi everyone!
Are you recovered from the overload of family, food and festivities yet? More importantly, have you eaten your last Christmas cookie? <-- It's ok if the answer is no! 🙂 I'm still working on it too!
As we turn our attention to New Year's goals, it's time to re-set our eating habits and come back around from the dark side. I enjoy New Year's so much because it's a time to really work on bettering yourself for the upcoming year.
One goal I have this year is to continue to eat healthy, while keeping a grocery store budget. I've been an avid Sam's Club Member for years and in recent years, I've been so impressed by the number of healthy clean-eating products they keep on their shelves. Sam's Club offers everything I need to stay healthy on a holistic level. They even have free health screenings, optical, hearing and of course some great food items. If you know what you are looking for, you can find some real gems!
One place I always look when I'm in Sam's Club is the produce department. They have great deals on fresh avocado, vegetables and I love their oranges!
And you can fresh healthy greens for days! Yummy!
I also go by the frozen department and stock up on frozen fish. I look for the plain, flash frozen kind that isn't breaded or sauced. I prefer to add my own healthier toppings. I've always been a big fan of their frozen salmon. You can't beat the taste and price.
Spices and pantry staples are also healthy finds. There are some spices I use ALL the time, so I buy those here.
I've also been buying organic grains like freekah and quinoa.
And my Sam's Club even carries organic flax and chia seeds.
Finally I stop by the toiletries department and check out their protein products. You can find great deals on protein powder and bars. Just make sure to check the labels to get the type that fits your lifestyle best. These can be very high in calories if you aren't doing really hard workouts, but can be great for muscle recovery if you are.
The Pharmacy is nearby so I stop and fill up my prescriptions. It's so convenient to have my prescriptions filled while shopping and it's one less thing I have to worry about later. Sam's Club also has a Free, $4, or $10 program for certain medications. You can find out more about Sam's Club pharmacy here.
I also love checking out their healthy lifestyle magazine Healthy Living Made Simple. This month I really enjoyed the article on 5 Healthy Meat-free protein sources and Benefits of Drinking Cold-Brew Coffee!
By the time I'm done, my cart often looks like this! Chocked full of healthy goodies I can feel good eating.
Since it's the New Year's and I love you'll so much, I thought I'd make a list of some of the healthiest items I have bought from Sam's Club. This should take the guess work out of your next big shopping trip!
The Ultimate Healthy Sam's Club Shopping List
Pantry Staples
- Organic Coconut Oil
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Organic Coconut Flour
- Organic Chia Seeds
- Organic Flax
- Spices
- Honey
- Agave Nectar
- Dried Beans
- Organic Freekah
- Organic Quinoa
- Plain Quick Cooking Oats
- Canned Diced Tomatoes
- Organic Pasta
- Organic Tomato Sauce
- Canned Tuna
- Powdered Peanut Butter
- Peanut Butter- use in moderation
- Chocolate Hazelnut Spread- use in moderation too 🙂
- Organic Green Tea Bags
- Organic Whole Almonds
- Plain Nuts
- Plain Popcorn
Produce Department
- Fresh Fruit- apples, berries, oranges, mango, papaya, etc.
- Fresh Vegetables- bell pepper, avocado, cucumbers, tomato, squash, etc.
- Fresh Greens - spinach, kale, romaine hearts, eto.
- Pre-packaged Salads - watch sugar content in dressings
- Juices - watch sugar content
Dairy
- Eggs- great source of protein
- Plain Greek Yogurt
- Unsweetened Almond Milk
Frozen
- Frozen Black Bean Burgers
- Frozen Fruit- for smoothies!
- Plain Frozen Seafood - salmon, tilapia, tuna, shrimp, etc.
- Plain Frozen Vegetables- corn, edamane, green beans, etc.
Toiletries/Pharmacy Department
- Protein Bars- watch for fat/carb/protein content for the best bar for your level of exercise and fitness. These can be a lot of calories, but can also be great for muscle recovery post hard workout!
- Vitamins
- Perscriptions
Meat
Note: I don't eat or purchase meat, but I know you can get fresh lean meat at Sam's Club. Choose types without breading or sauce already added. If that is part of your diet, please add it to your list in moderation!
Happy Shopping!
Be sure to check out more great healthy living tips with Sam's Club Healthy Living Made Simple Magazine online! It's free and has great information.
Thanks for stopping by today! Come back tomorrow for the 2nd Best of the Blogs linkup! Drop your favorite/ most viewed post of the month or a roundup of the best posts of the month from your site. For bloggers and non-bloggers it's a great place to read the best the blogs have to offer in spot! Last month was a huge success, so come by to keep this linkup growing.
I’m linking up with Meatless Monday, Wild Workout Wednesday , Fitness Friday, Full Plate Thursday and Weekend Potluck.
Your turn!
What healthy living goals are you taking into 2016?
Do you buy anything healthy in bulk?
Matt Gates says
I like Sam's for many of the items you've posted. The best deals are the premixed and washed vegetables and the meats. You can't beat the prices anywhere, sale or no sale. I was a little confused when you said you bought fish there and then turned around and said you don't purchase or consume meat. So which is it? Do you eat fish, or do you not eat meat?
JulieWunder says
Hi Matt! I'm a pescatarian. I eat mainly plant-based food but I do occasionally eat seafood. I don't eat any other type of meat. 🙂
Hydee says
I have always wondered about coconut flour and how you use it in place of all purpose to be healthier and if it changes the taste.
JulieWunder says
Hi Hydee-- That is definitely not my expertise, but I found this article for you that might help! http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2013/10/01/how-to-bake-grain-free-with-coconut-flour/
Best of luck.
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
they do really have a nice selection of things..i used to go there a lot but now i live so far away, Trader Joe's or Whole Foods is my go to now.
JulieWunder says
So many good choices! Great to see you today!
Sarah says
We don't have a Sam's Club membership, but I do go there from time to time with my mom, but we do have Costco and love it! We get so many of our healthy whole food staples there! I am a little bummed that there are a couple things we would like in bulk going over to Sam's, although I know the same is true the other way around as well, so I already called my mom and told her I'm going to run with her the next time she's in town. Both are great options for eating healthy and sticking with a budget, especially for families. Although we have been known to spend more money sometimes going to Costco. 😉
JulieWunder says
Haha! Yes-- they always get me with something cool
Sarah @ BucketListTummy says
This is a great list, Thanks Julie! Sam's Club is a great shop to get everything you need in bulk, even medicines!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Sarah! I totally agree!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I don't usually buy my veggies there because they are so big! They do have lots of choices though
JulieWunder says
They are big! I get some staples I know I will use each week.
Cailee says
This is awesome! I love Sam's Club!! So much great stuff! Way to go buying healthy in bulk!
JulieWunder says
Totally Cailee! Great to see you today!
Miz Helen says
We do love our Sams Club and they do have awesome produce! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and Happy New Year!
Miz Helen
JulieWunder says
Thanks Miz Helen! They have the best stuff!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
I love shopping in bulk. We don't have Sam's, but we have Costco and I love that place!
JulieWunder says
I bet you go though a lot of bulk with your two boys!
Farrah says
I look forward to one day living in a place that has bulk shopping centers again! *-*
JulieWunder says
Haha! Living the dream 🙂 Hope you had a great New Year!
Tami says
I'm back and forth on getting a membership. I do need to start shopping healthier regardless.
JulieWunder says
It's a great place to stock up on many items! I've used mine for years.
Pam says
Looks like you can buy so many healthy foods at Sam's Club, We don't have one really close to us so I have never been. It is great that they have the pharmacy there also and that makes it very convenient.
JulieWunder says
It does! It's nice to fill up on healthy bulk items!
Mary Beth Jackson says
I haven't been to a Sam's club in years but shopped there when my family was younger. We need a store like that close by!
JulieWunder says
They are awesome to have around! I find stuff to buy even with my family of 2!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
I haven't been to a Sam's in a while but know my Mom really loves their meat department. I don't know if you call 3 lbs of tomatoes or 10 lbs of potatoes bulk, but that's how I buy them.
JulieWunder says
haha! That's how I buy them too. Lot's of good stuff at Sam's Club!
chastity says
We stock up on meats at Sam's! My fitness goal for 2016 is getting into a set routine - makes it easier for me and my family when I know exactly what days I plan on working out.
JulieWunder says
That's a great goal. When you have to plan around others, a schedule helps even more.
Beth @ Sublimely Fit says
I am so in love with Costco. I regularly stock up on healthy foods in the frozen section, produce, and they even have awesome shelf-stable goodies like dried tart cherries. The only problem is finding space to store it all until we eat it! 🙂
JulieWunder says
It is hard to find the storage, but I always make it work! I am so impressed by Sam's Club organic and healthy selections lately.
Jess @hellotofit says
We switched from Sam's to Costco once the Costco in our city opened up, but both locations have great selections!! The organic food items have really grown in the past five years.
JulieWunder says
Yes! Sam's Club has really upped their game in my opinion!
Gingermommy says
Healthy eating starts with Healthy shopping! I have not been to a Sam's club in years but loved them when we had them here
JulieWunder says
I could not agree more! Thanks for stopping by today!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Get ready for this: I've never shopped at a bulk market. Ever. I've been inside a Costco once. I've also never used a crockpot, even though I have one. Life goals, maybe?
JulieWunder says
Haha! Consider these are things I do weekly, I am baffled :-))) Try the Crock Pot-- it's awesome. :-))
Heather@hungryforbalance says
I LOVE Sam's and buy lots of those same things!! Their coconut oil and coconut flour is the best!!
JulieWunder says
I could not agree more!
Heather Johnson says
I am a newer Sam's Club shopper. I love that I can buy my favorite foods and save so much money at the same time!
JulieWunder says
Me too! Thanks Heather!
Annmarie says
They did away with our Sam's Club here, made me so sad 🙁
JulieWunder says
That is sad! I get so much stuff there!
Blane Sherer says
I've never been one for New Years reslolutions per se
but I do certainly think of things to emphasize going
forward in a new year ( like healthy eating etc. ).
JulieWunder says
That's a great way to do it!