I'm a dietitian, and my husband is a personal trainer. Here are 10 of our favorite things to buy at Aldi.
As a registered dietitian with a partner who's a personal trainer, we're particular about what we buy at Aldi, where we've shopped for 10 years.
Jasmine Westbrooks
- I'm a registered dietitian who married a personal trainer, and we go to Aldi for grocery staples.
- The budget chain is a great spot for frozen berries, salad kits, and canned goods.
- We also like picking up some plant-based meat alternatives and Greek yogurt for protein.
Aldi is the fastest-growing grocery chain in the US — and for good reason. When I think of great quality food and affordable prices, I instantly imagine my shopping experiences at Aldi.
As a dietitian, I was on the hunt for a grocery store that could provide me with a variety of nutritious products that also tasted good. My then-boyfriend, now-husband has similar goals as a personal trainer.
Aldi took the crown — we've been shopping there for over 10 years.
We're always looking for nutritionally dense foods that support our workout regimen and recovery. But as busy business owners, we're also looking for quick, healthy meals.
Here are 10 of our favorite things to buy at Aldi.
Jasmine Westbrooks
I think salads are best when there are themes to the flavor profiles — that's what encourages us to go back for more.
The Little Salad Bar kits come with specialized dressings and toppings that are great on their own or added to another leafy green to bulk them up.
Each variety has a good amount of fiber and a little protein — either from nuts, seeds, or bacon pieces. But we'll often add a cooked protein like chicken.
Jasmine Westbrooks
We typically roast miniature potatoes in a little avocado or olive oil. Then, we sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
They're the perfect size for making diced breakfast potatoes. Sometimes we'll top the roasted potatoes with cheese and salsa for a very satisfying source of fiber.
Jasmine Westbrooks
My husband is always looking for the most convenient source of protein, and we found it with Aldi's mixed nuts.
The sea-salt variety from Southern Grove is super versatile — we use it in breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts.
I love using these in desserts. I layer frozen fruit, whipped cream, and mixed nuts for a salty and sweet flavor profile.
Jasmine Westbrooks
With our busy schedules, mini sweet peppers help us meet our vegetable intake when we're on a road trip or commuting to work.
We usually pack the peppers with a dipping sauce or just eat them plain — especially if we don't have time or energy to roast vegetables in the evening.
Jasmine Westbrooks
Even though we don't eat vegan, we often substitute animal protein for more plant-based protein to support our heart health.
The Earth Grown Vegan plant-based burrito bowls are convenient for making tacos, burritos, pasta, and chili. Our favorite is the Southwest pack with chipotle peppers.
Jasmine Westbrooks
Smoothies are our go-to at least three days a week. Mixing Aldi's berry blend with almond milk and protein gives me a brighter start to the day.
The frozen fruit here is much cheaper than what I find at other grocery stores. At Aldi, I pay around $6 or $7 for a 32-ounce bag.
Jasmine Westbrooks
Legumes are a great source of protein and fiber, which keeps us full until the next meal or snack.
One of our favorite meals is black-eyed peas in a crockpot with collard greens, onions, garlic, spices, and herbs.
Jasmine Westbrooks
We love Friendly Farms' nonfat strawberry Greek yogurt and low-sugar vanilla Greek yogurt.
Mixing Greek yogurt and frozen berries helps us have a protein-packed breakfast. The yogurt also comes in handy when we need a quick snack before bed to satisfy our sugar cravings.
Jasmine Westbrooks
Eating a variety of pasta dishes is our love language, and creating chunky tomato sauces with Happy Harvest's basil, garlic, and oregano blend of diced tomatoes takes them to another level.
Plus, the cans don't have a ton of salt, so they can keep things low-sodium while still being flavorful.
Jasmine Westbrooks
We believe all foods (in moderation) can fit within a healthy eating pattern. We usually eat 80% high-nutrient foods and 20% fun foods.
On Friday nights, when we don't want to go out for dinner, we pop a frozen pizza in the oven. We add mushrooms, bell peppers, and diced tomatoes to increase the fiber and vitamins.
It's our way of creating a pizza that still provides us with health benefits.