15 Healthy Costco Food Items Perfect for Solo Retirees on a Fixed Budget

Eating well on a fixed income doesn't mean cooking everything from scratch or giving up on favorite snacks. For retirees, the real challenge is finding nutritious, portion-friendly food that doesn't lead to waste or blow the budget.

Costco's bulk pricing lets you unlock the true value of your membership when you choose items that store well or come pre-portioned, like the 15 healthy food finds below.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $21.99

Nuts are one of the best foods to snack on. Packed with healthy fats, protein, and heart-healthy nutrients, these KS nuts come in 30 individual pouches, easy to enjoy without overdoing calories.

Single-serve nut packs can be expensive, so it's worth buying three pounds of pre-portioned peanuts, almonds, and cashews for under $25.

Price: $39.99

You may wonder why include a dessert, so let's see what shoppers have to say about this four-pound box of walnut, almond, and pistachio baklavas.

"It has a use-by sticker 3 months away, so there is plenty of time to enjoy it. If you like baklava that is drenched in sugary syrup, this is not for you. It's fresh, flaky, brimming with nuts, with a subtle taste of rose water," writes reviewer FrequentOnlineShopper.

Price: $22.46

Tilapia is one of the easiest seafood proteins to work into healthy, simple meals. It delivers minimal fat and calories, lots of protein, and three pounds of individually wrapped loins.

Just nine ounces of frozen seasoned tilapia cost $9.99 at Target, or over $50 for the same amount.

Price: $41.99

Single-serve coffee pods eliminate coffee waste and give you portion control. If you drink one cup of coffee per day, you'll reap the cognitive benefits, such as mental clarity, and have enough pods to last you 72 days.

And with six varieties to choose from, you'll thank yourself for adding this pack to your cart.

Price: $14.63

Three packs of 11 ounces of roasted turkey breast can last a while, especially since they freeze well. Turkey breast is low-fat, high in protein, and doesn't add many calories to your daily diet.

To make things better, the Hillshire Farm turkey has no artificial ingredients or added nitrates.

Price: $13.61

This frozen four-pound bag of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries offers the best vitamins and minerals for healthy aging. Berries are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, with minimal sugar and calorie content.

It's a better choice than Walmart's Great Value triple berry blend, which includes strawberries — richer in sugar — and only delivers three pounds for $11.28.

Price: $12.99

While creamers don't offer much in terms of nutrition, they're convenient if you enjoy a cuppa daily. With 180 creamers, you're set for months and can control the amount that goes into your coffee.

You'll also reduce waste compared to buying a large, spoilage-prone bottle.

Price: $13.99

Snacking on potato chips isn't ideal, so try these organic sweet potato sticks instead. They're a simple, whole-food snack with just one ingredient and no added sugar, oil, or preservatives.

At Costco, you get six 2.82-ounce individually packed snacks priced better than the $18.49 you'd pay at Walmart for the same quantity.

Price: $11.99

Chicken stock is a basic cooking ingredient, especially for retirees who enjoy simple soups, rice, or vegetables. These six 32-ounce packs of stock are low in calories and sodium, but delicious and wholesome.

They're also more than $7 cheaper than buying six 32-ounce packs of Swanson's chicken cooking stock at Target.

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Price: $12.59

Soft, chewy granola bars are an easy treat that provides an energy lift between meals without unnecessary calories.

The small size of each of the 64 bars and the combination of oats and real chocolate make them a solid choice for a snack that won't spike blood sugar as quickly as sugary candy or pastries.

Price: $17.58

These eight "eggwhiches" are breadless, high in protein, and lower in carbs, making them a good option for retirees managing blood sugar at breakfast. They're fully cooked, making breakfast a breeze.

Each eggwich is 30 cents cheaper than Walmart's offering.

Price: $14.74

A two-pound pre-sliced cheese tray is easy to refrigerate. It's equally suited to snacking and quick sandwiches. Cheese provides calcium, protein, and healthy fats that support satiety and bone health, which is especially important for older adults.

Just one pack of aged cheddar, Gouda, Havarti, or Jarlsberg cheese costs 40 cents more per ounce at Target.

Price: $10.09

Made from organic green cabbage, sea salt, and organic garlic, this sauerkraut is a whole-food addition to the pantry. Its main benefit is its fermentation process, which produces natural probiotics that help digestion.

With 50 ounces per jar, it's way better than regular sauerkraut, which includes preservatives and artificial colors.

Price: $13.69

Oatmeal is a fiber-rich, heart-healthy food that supports digestion and cholesterol management.

This variety pack offers 52 pouches of maple and brown sugar, apple and cinnamon, and cinnamon and spice oatmeal, ideal if you don't want to cook each breakfast.

Price: $8.39

Specialty nut and seed butters often carry premium prices at grocery stores. This 27-ounce jar combines almonds, cashews, chia, and flax seeds.

It's packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber without setting you back more than $20, like the Haddar Mixed Nut Butter from Walmart.

Costco isn't just for big families. With the right approach, it can be the ideal shopping destination for retirees living alone on a fixed budget. It's also a great way to save money on essentials with strong nutritional value and long shelf or freezer life.

To make the most of it, separate bulk items into smaller freezer or pantry portions, and choose products that can be used over multiple meals so nothing goes to waste.