Costco offers a wide range of products, with its food section standing out in particular. Whether you’re filling your cart with delicious frozen meals or enjoying the well-known hot dog combo from the food court, you’ll find plenty of tempting options. However, not all items win everyone over.
Regular customers note that some frozen and pre-packaged goods are worth skipping. We’ve gathered a list of eight items that enthusiasts, nutritionists, and everyday shoppers suggest avoiding due to their quality. A discussion on the Costco subreddit asked, “In your opinion, what is the single worst prepared food that Costco sells?” and shoppers were quick to share their opinions. Here are a few prepared foods (along with other recommendations from experts) that many advise steering clear of and the reasons why.
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Costco Fans And Health Experts Reveal 8 Prepared And Frozen Food Items They Never Purchase—And Why
1. Jimmy Dean Croissant Sandwich
Here's one popular frozen food you're better off leaving out of your cart. Fitness trainer Patricia Johnson of Pedal Lovers warns that Jimmy Dean Croissant Sandwiches, although tasty and convenient, should be avoided as a regular breakfast option. "The Jimmy Dean Croissant Sandwich looks deceptively healthy, but has 580 mg of sodium per serving," she says. "Always check the label before you commit!" she reminds us.
Luckily, there are plenty of healthy breakfasts to replace this meal with.
2. Kirkland Signature Protein Bars
Protein bars may seem like a perfectly healthy food. Unfortunately, this is oftentimes not the case, especially when it comes to Kirkland Signature Protein Bars. "While Kirkland Signature Protein Bars may seem like a convenient and nutritious snack option, it's crucial to be aware of their ingredients. The inclusion of erythritol, a sugar alcohol, might raise some concerns. Erythritol is known to cause digestive issues in certain individuals, including stomach discomfort, bloating, and gas," Jessie Hulsey RD, an Atlanta-based registered dietitian, told Eat This, Not That.
3. Hot Pockets
Similarly, Hot Pockets are another major no-go for your health. "Certain foods are best left in the freezer section," registered dietitian Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, of Balance One Supplements chimes in. "One food in particular is Nestle's Hot and Lean Pockets," she says, pointing to the food's high fat and sodium content, as well as high caloric value. "Frozen Pockets offer little in the way of essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals and are significantly dense in calories and fat," she warns. Say it ain't so!
4. Totino's Pizza Rolls
Totino's Pizza Rolls are undeniably delicious (not to mention so easy to make). However, although Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet, acknowledges that they're "cheap, filling, and easy," she warns that they are not "a viable food option."
"You will consume 230 calories off only 6 pizza rolls—and no one stops at just six," she notes. "They're loaded with sodium, saturated fat, and preservatives. Their nutrient content is nearly void and their processed nature makes them a highly inflammatory food. You may save money on food, but you'll make up for it and more in healthcare costs if this is a staple in your freezer." Yikes! Try a healthy snack instead.
5. Prepared Potato Salad
Potato salad is often hit or miss. And if you're picky about this beloved side dish, you may want to steer clear of Costco's variety. "The big container of potato salad used to be my favorite, and now it is trash," one commenter on Reddit lamented. "I don't know what happened to it, but it is definitely not the same!" Others agreed. "I got some bacon potato salad like two years ago and it was so bad. I returned it and it gave me a whole perspective of what not to buy at Costco," someone else wrote. Noted!
6. Macaroni and Cheese
It's hard to go wrong with macaroni and cheese—or at least that's what we thought. According to Redditors, the mac & cheese at Costco is incredibly disappointing due to a lack of flavor. Say it ain't so! "It's BLAND!" one comment complained. Someone pointed out a bit of irony: "But to your surprise, it’s still really high in sodium!" When you consider the health risks of all that sodium, bland macaroni and cheese definitely isn't worth the risk. We'll stick to making our own at home, or even microwaving some Easy Mac.
7. Chicken Pot Pie
If you ask us, chicken pot pie is just about the comfort food to end all comfort foods. But it sounds like Costco's take on this tasty dish just doesn't meet the mark flavor-wise. "They use those stupid flavorless baby carrots and somehow find a way to put rubbery cubes of chicken in there. It’s gross," says one comment. "Totally agree that they are awful," someone else replied. "The crust is cardboard, the flavor is not there and it's hard to get past all the sodium. I've been spoiled all my life with good homemade chicken pot pie, so that may be part of the problem, but damn, so bad!"
8. Sandwiches & Wraps
Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a big sandwich. But if that's what you're craving, Costco shoppers say you're better off finding it elsewhere. "Their premade sandwiches are awful," one person wrote, with many people backing up this sentiment."Used to love the turkey and cheese croissants with Ceasar salad when I was growing up. Fast forward 20 years, I recently picked it for the nostalgia and the quality is nowhere near what it used to be," says another comment. Shoppers noted that wraps are a similar story. "Those are even worse. If that’s even possible," someone complained. "I bought smoked salmon wraps that sounded good, but they were all soggy and gross by the time we ate them."
The Bottom Line
Costco boasts a fantastic variety of frozen, pre-made, and bakery products. However, dedicated shoppers and experts alike suggest steering clear of certain options. On your next visit, you might find it prudent to stick to your tried-and-true favorites instead of venturing into unknown territory. Unless, of course, you feel adventurous enough to give these eight items a try yourself.
