Some Unhealthy Items at Costco

I have always tended to eat mostly healthy “real foods” but also a lot of dessert. I have never been a big fan of the healthy savory foods (e.g., french fries; chips, fried foods), instead preferring pastas, salads, and fish. However, I have always loved sweets and desserts (e.g., ice cream; baked goods; cakes).

I understand why restaurants and food items have the nutritional information on them. It is important to know how much of different nutrients foods have in them for certain diets and medical conditions. However, sometimes (especially for special desserts), I would prefer not to know. So, not to ruin the “party” (literally if these items would be served at parties… couldn’t resist…) but in case people want to know, I found a list of some of the most unhealthy items at Costco. Here are the listed items, starting with the most unhealthy. (Because this is not even close to an exhaustive list, there are probably many items that are comparably unhealthy).  

1. David’s Cookies Mile High Peanut Butter Cake

One of the most unhealthy items sold at Costco is this cake made by David’s Cookies. Apparently, it is highly caloric and contains a lot of  sugar and fat. The article recommends freezing the cake if not serving it all at once to prevent eating too much at once.

I couldn’t resist looking up this cake on the David’s Cookies website. Apparently, it contains three layers of dark chocolate cake. The two bottom layers are covered in peanut butter mousse made from REESE’S® Peanut Butter Cups. The top layer is covered in dark chocolate fudge frosting. The whole cake is then topped with chocolate brownies and  REESE’S® Peanut Butter cups. Um…wow. The me who used to love desserts with peanut butter and chocolate would have wanted to try this cake. (Before eating only kosher, I used to love the Reese’s peanut butter cup sundae at a local ice cream chain). I now don’t love the combination, but imagine that many would want this cake. I can certainly vouch for the quality of the David’s company items. The cheesecake/chocolate fudge layer cake that we bought many years ago on a “97” (Price endings are not random) is still one of the best desserts I have ever eaten LZiNK. It also did freeze very well. With respect to the peanut butter cake, it is certainly not a surprise that a cake with fudge and peanut butter would be unhealthy! However, anything can fit as a treat.

2. Kirkland Signature Plain Cheesecake

Second on the list of most unhealthy Costco items is the cheesecake, due to the high amounts of calories, fat and sugar. Again, the recommendation is to freeze the cake if there are leftovers.

I have never had the Costco cheesecake but am not surprised that it made the list. Cheesecake is notorious for being unhealthy, due to its richness. In addition, like most desserts, the higher quality ingredients, the more unhealthy the nutritional statistics. Costco doesn’t skimp on the quality ingredients, leading to a very dense cake. Cheesecake may not be healthy, but it sure is delicious. 

3. Kirkland Signature Chicken Bakes

These chicken bakes (sold frozen as well as in the food court) are filled with calories and sodium, making them an unhealthy choice. 

I certainly will not be eating these. I was not even sure what they are made of and learned that they consist of strips of chicken breast, bacon, onions, three cheeses (mozzarella ; provolone; Parmesan), and Caesar dressing inside of a crust. It is easy to understand why these bakes are unhealthy!

4. Marie Callender’s Chicken Pot Pies

These frozen pies are listed as a other unhealthy item sold at Costco, being high in calories, fat, sodium, and additives. 

I have not had one in years but I remember enjoying chicken pot pie as a kid. I’m sure they were very unhealthy, as they consisted of a buttery crust and filled with a creamy sauce. They are likely a comforting, convenient meal that kids will eat but definitely would not be recommended as a regular meal.

5. Foster Farms Jumbo Chicken Corn Dogs

Another frozen item on the list of unhealthy foods are these chicken corn dogs. Apparently, they are full of sodium, sugar, and artificial ingredients. 

I am not surprised that this item is not a healthy food! Anything associated with carnivals is unlikely to make the list of nutrition meals. 

6. Farm Rich French Toast Sticks

A convenient but unhealthy breakfast item are these French toast sticks. They contain high amounts of both sugar and sodium.

I remember eating frozen French sticks as a kid. I actually never really liked them too much because they tasted fried to me and, as mentioned above, I have never carved fried food. I much preferred real French toast, pancakes, or waffles. However, these sticks were definitely easier to make. 

7. Pierre Signatures Angus Cheeseburger

Although somewhat redeemed by their high protein content, these cheeseburgers contain a lot of sodium. 

Hmmm…cheeseburgers are unhealthy? Not really a surprise.

8. Kirkland Signature Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna

Yet another frozen item on the list is this lasagna again mainly due to the high level of sodium. 

I don’t think most people consider lasagna to be a particularly healthy meal, given that it is traditionally made with meat, oil, and cheese. I used to make a version with lasagna noodles, marinara sauce, and a little shredded cheese that was much healthier. I actually loved it because I was able to eat the pasta/sauce/cheese combination in the dense layered shape I like about lasagna. However, it certainly wouldn’t “cut it” as a true lasagna. 

9. Kirkland Supreme Cauliflower Pizza

The article points out that, despite the reputation of foods made with cauliflower as “healthy,” this pizza contains a high amount of sodium. 

I definitely associate most cauliflower-based foods with healthier choices. If not for the health benefits, I cannot imagine choosing a cauliflower crust over traditional dough. 

10. Otis Spunkmeyer Chocolate Chunk Frozen Cookie Dough

This frozen cookie dough makes the list for containing a lot of calories and sugar. 

I have actually never seen this item at Costco. If I did, it would be difficult to resist. I remember that the cafeteria in my high school sold “Spunkies” in stacks of three. I never bought them but loved when my friends bought them and were willing to give me a warm piece of a cookie. I love being able to make one or two cookies at a time and have bought prepackaged dough chunks in the past. It is not a surprise that chocolate chip cookies are not a health food but being able to make a few at a time for portion control vs having an entire batch sitting around helps. 

11. Kirkland Signature Protein Bar

The final item on the list are these protein bars, again due to the high amounts of sodium. 

I have read that “nutrition bars” are often more like candy bars. However, I would not have guessed that a reason for them being unhealthy was the sodium content. 

Are you surprised by any of these items on the list? Do you prefer to know about nutritional information?