The 7 Best Foods to Buy at Costco If You Have High Cholesterol

Ten percent of American adults have high cholesterol. If you are one of them, that may put you at greater risk of heart disease. Of course, other risk factors for high cholesterol, such as family history and age, may be out of your control. However, there are steps you can take, such as staying physically active and eating a heart-healthy diet, that can lower those numbers.

If you’re a Costco customer trying to control your cholesterol, you’ll be happy to know that Costco has many foods that can help. Many require little prep work and can be included throughout the day to support heart health. That’s why we’re sharing the best foods you can buy at Costco for high cholesterol, along with easy tips to incorporate into your day.

How to Choose Foods for Good Cholesterol

Whether you have high cholesterol or just want to keep it at bay, the American Heart Association recommends eating more fiber-rich foods and replacing saturated fat with healthy unsaturated fats.

Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains is a great way to add fiber to your day. Nuts and seeds are also a great source of fiber and provide plant-based protein and heart-healthy unsaturated fats.

To reduce excess fat, choose lean proteins such as beans, tofu, lentils and white meat chicken. It also helps to cook with a liquid vegetable oil like canola or olive oil instead of a solid fat like butter or lard. Eating a few servings of fish each week is also a good step, as fish are low in fat. And fatty fish, such as salmon, are an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

7 Foods You Can Buy at Costco If You Have High Cholesterol

Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Unsalted Mixed Nuts

Nuts are one of the best foods for cholesterol and heart health. Studies show that high consumption of nuts is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. So, it’s no surprise that the AHA recommends nuts as part of a heart-healthy eating plan. Eating just 56 grams (about 2 ounces) of nuts per day has been shown to lower total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol.

To add nuts to your day, eat them as a snack, throw them into a trail mix, or sprinkle them on oatmeal or yogurt. Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Unsalted Mixed Nuts is a great place to start. They have a delicious mix of cashews, almonds, pistachios and pecans. And they’re full of heart-healthy fats, fiber and plant-based protein.

Kirkland Signature Whole Grain Rolled Oats

Oats are our No. 1 food. 1 of our favorites for lowering cholesterol. They contain a special type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which flushes cholesterol out of your body when you pee. That in turn hinders your body’s ability to synthesize cholesterol.

Kirkland Signature Whole Grain Rolled Oats has one simple ingredient: Oats. All of these grains provide 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving. It’s a breeze to make overnight oats, add to smoothies or, of course, hot cereal. Add mixed nuts to one of these oat-based dishes for extra cholesterol-lowering action.

Goya Black Beans

Pulses, including black beans, are full of cholesterol-lowering fiber. But that’s just the beginning. Regular consumption of pulses, such as beans, has also been shown to reduce blood pressure, triglycerides and inflammation. ,

That’s why we’re big fans of canned Goya Black Beans. Each ½-cup serving contains 6 grams of fiber and 8 grams of plant protein, but is low in fat. Plus, they don’t need to be cooked, so they save busy weekdays.

Kirkland Signature Frozen Farmed Atlantic Salmon

The AHA recommends eating fatty fish like salmon twice a week for its beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. These heart-supporting unsaturated fats have been shown to help reduce inflammation and cholesterol.

There’s another bonus to keeping Kirkland Signature Frozen Farmed Atlantic Salmon on hand. You can prepare your own salmon without worrying that the fresh salmon will spoil in your refrigerator before you have a chance to cook it. The fillets are individually wrapped, so all you have to do is thaw and cook. Try them in our 5-Ingredient Miso-Glazed Salmon (only takes 15 minutes to make!).

Imperial Garden Organic Edamame

A large body of research finds that soy products like edamame can help lower cholesterol, thanks to heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats and powerful plant compounds called isoflavones. It’s so effective that eating 25 grams of soy protein per day is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.

The next time you’re in the freezer section, throw a bag of Imperial Garden Organic Edamame into your shopping cart. It’s great for a quick snack and an easy way to pump up the protein in stir-fries and rice dishes. Each serving contains 4 grams of fiber and 12 grams of plant protein.

Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranates are full of fiber and powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Studies show that eating pomegranates can reduce bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol. In addition, it has been shown to reduce blood pressure. So, grab a bottle (or two!) of Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice to drink with breakfast or use in a delicious mocktail to end the day.

Kirkland Signature Organic Chunky Guacamole

Avocados are high in fiber, unsaturated fats and antioxidants. So, it’s a great way to reduce your risk of heart disease. They are so helpful that one study found that eating an avocado every day helped lower LDL and total cholesterol.

Kirkland Signature Organic Chunky Guacamole is a great way to get the health benefits of avocados whenever you want. It is made with Hass avocados, which makes it a very easy food for healthy cholesterol. And each prepackaged cup boasts 4 grams of fiber. No more waiting for the avocado to slowly arrive!

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re trying to lower your cholesterol or just want to be active, Costco has an array of foods that can help. From mixed nuts to prepared guacamole to black beans and more, you’ll find foods full of antioxidants, fiber and unsaturated fats. So, the next time you’re at Costco, bring a list of these foods to save. They are easy to include throughout the day, from breakfast to your dinner!