I'm a dietitian, and my husband is a personal trainer. Here are 10 of our favorite things to buy at Aldi.
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.
Potatoes are perfect for a quick source of energy.
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.
The chain has a nice selection of mixed nuts.
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.
Mini sweet peppers are the perfect on-the-go snack.
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.
We're not vegan, but we love Aldi's plant-based meat alternatives.
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.
We get plenty of smoothies out of the Season's Choice frozen berry medley.
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.
I always leave with some Dakota's Pride canned beans.
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.
We usually double up on Greek yogurt.
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.
Happy Harvest diced tomatoes are great for sauces.
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.
Yes, a dietitian and personal trainer still eat pizza.
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.
Click to keep reading Aldi diaries like this one.
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