Nine Costco Treats Laden with Hidden Sugar Content
High Sugar Content in Popular Costco Snacks: Be Aware of What You Eat
A registered dietitian, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, has raised concerns about some snacks available at Costco that may contain unexpectedly high levels of sugar.
One such snack is the Yogurt-Covered Pretzels, which might seem like a balanced choice but contain over 18 grams of added sugar per serving. The 'yogurt' coating, surprisingly, contains more sugar than dairy.
Kirkland Soft & Chewy Granola Bars are another culprit, with about 12–14 grams of sugar per bar. The sweetness often comes from added corn syrup and brown sugar, making these bars more akin to candy than a healthy breakfast option.
Nature's Bakery Fig Bars also make the list of sugary snacks.
Acai Superfruit Packets contain 11-13 grams of sugar per packet, primarily from cane sugar. Dried mango slices sold at Costco can have 24-28 grams of sugar per serving, half or more from added sugar.
Welch's Fruit Snacks have 11-12 grams of sugar per pouch, mostly from corn syrup. Quaker Instant Oatmeal Packets (Flavored Varieties) contain 12-14 grams of sugar per packet, much of it added before milk or fruit.
Trail Mix with M&Ms or Yogurt Chips at Costco can have 20+ grams of sugar per 1/2 cup. Kodiak Cakes Protein Muffins contain 15-18 grams of sugar, thanks to brown sugar and chocolate chips.
Lastly, Nature's Bakery Fig Bars contain 19 grams of sugar per pack, mostly from concentrated fruit and added cane sugar.
These examples serve as a reminder that not all snacks at Costco are as healthy as they may appear. Consumers should be aware of the sugar content in their purchases and make informed decisions about their dietary choices.
- In light of Tara Collingwood's concerns, it's essential to examine the sugar content in apparently healthy snack choices, like Nature's Bakery Fig Bars, which contain 19 grams of sugar per pack.
- Despite seeming like a balanced option, Yogurt-Covered Pretzels actually contain over 18 grams of added sugar per serving, with the 'yogurt' coating containing more sugar than dairy.
- A more sugary surprise comes from Kirkland Soft & Chewy Granola Bars, with about 12–14 grams of sugar per bar, often derived from added corn syrup and brown sugar.
- The Acai Superfruit Packets and dried mango slices sold at Costco contain 11-13 grams of sugar per packet and serving, respectively, mainly from cane sugar and corn syrup.
- Welch's Fruit Snacks, Quaker Instant Oatmeal Packets (Flavored Varieties), and Trail Mix with M&Ms or Yogurt Chips also have high sugar content, with up to 28 grams of sugar per serving.
- Incorporating a more informed approach to our health-and-wellness lifestyle, food-and-drink choices, and fitness-and-exercise routines, along with healthy-cooking practices and weight-management strategies, can help us make better decisions about our organic diet and overall nutrition.
