Just diagnosed with gestational diabetes?
Take the 60-second quiz and see your personalized GD meal plan — built for your trimester, your tastes, and your glucose targets.
$99 once for your whole pregnancy · 14-day money-back guarantee · no subscription
Costco membership pays for itself quickly when you have gestational diabetes. Between the rotisserie chicken you'll shred into six different meals, the 48-ounce tub of Greek yogurt you'll polish off in a week, and the five-pound bag of almonds that becomes your daily snack — bulk buying at Costco is one of the smartest strategies for managing GD without blowing your budget. This guide walks you through exactly what to grab.
Top 10 Must-Buy Items at Costco for GD
- Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken ($4.99) — 0g carbs, ~25g protein per serving
- Kirkland Organic Greek Yogurt, Plain (48oz) (~$6.99) — 7g carbs, 18g protein per cup
- Kirkland Signature Mixed Nuts (~$16.99/3lb) — 5g net carbs, 6g protein per oz
- Organic Eggs (2-dozen pack) (~$9.99) — 0g carbs, 6g protein each
- Kirkland Chicken Breasts (6.5lb) (~$22.99) — 0g carbs, 26g protein per 4oz
- Mission Carb Balance Tortillas (~$9.99 for 24) — 4g net carbs per tortilla
- Dave's Killer Bread Thin-Sliced (~$6.99) — 12g carbs per slice with 3g fiber
- Chobani Less Sugar Greek Yogurt (multipack) (~$14.99) — 9–11g carbs per cup
- The Only Bean Sriracha Edamame (~$9.99) — 8g carbs, 13g protein per serving
- Kirkland Frozen Salmon Portions (~$22.99) — 0g carbs, 23g protein per fillet
Produce at Costco
Costco's produce section offers bulk bags of GD-friendly vegetables at excellent prices. The key is buying only what you'll use before it spoils — or choosing items that freeze well.
- Organic Baby Spinach (1lb bag) (~$5.99): Use within a week. Best for salads, smoothies, and omelets.
- Organic Broccoli Florets (2lb bag) (~$6.99): 6g carbs per cup. Roast or steam for side dishes all week.
- Organic Frozen Broccoli (~$8.99 for 4lb): Buy frozen for longer shelf life with identical nutrition.
- Kirkland Riced Cauliflower (6 x 12oz bags) (~$9.99): 5g carbs per cup. Stock the freezer.
- Strawberries (4lb) (~$7.99 in season): 9g carbs per cup. Freeze excess for smoothies.
- Blueberries (3lb) (~$9.99): 9g carbs per half cup. Buy frozen if fresh aren't available.
- Avocados (bag of 5–6) (~$6.99): 3g net carbs each. Buy firm and ripen at home.
- Mini Persian Cucumbers (~$4.99): 2g carbs each. Excellent daily snack vehicle.
- Organic Cherry Tomatoes (2lb) (~$6.99): 6g carbs per cup. Snack, salad, or roast.
Proteins
This is where Costco truly shines for GD. Buying proteins in bulk and meal prepping on Sunday is the most efficient strategy for the week ahead.
- Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken ($4.99): The single best GD purchase at Costco. Shred it and use all week in salads, tacos, soups, and bowls. Zero carbs, ~25g protein per cup.
- Kirkland Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (6.5lb) (~$22.99): Batch-bake on Sunday for 5 days of lunches. $0.88/oz protein.
- Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Portions (3lb) (~$22.99): 0g carbs, omega-3 rich. Freeze individually.
- Kirkland Organic Ground Turkey (4lb) (~$18.99): 0g carbs. Make taco meat, turkey burgers, or meatballs in bulk.
- Organic Hard-Boiled Eggs (2-pack trays) (~$8.99): Ready to eat. 0g carbs, 6g protein each.
- Real Good Foods Chicken Nuggets (~$14.99): 3g carbs, 23g protein per serving. Kids love them too.
- Spinach & Red Pepper Meatballs (~$13.99): 15g protein per serving with minimal carbs. Great over zucchini noodles.
- Kirkland Canned Tuna (8-pack) (~$14.99): 0g carbs, 22g protein per can. Budget protein for salads and wraps.
Dairy and Refrigerated
- Kirkland Organic Greek Yogurt, Plain (48oz) (~$6.99): Your breakfast cornerstone. 7g carbs, 18g protein per cup.
- Chobani Less Sugar Greek Yogurt (multipack, ~$14.99): 9–11g carbs per cup with real fruit — much better than regular flavored yogurt.
- Organic String Cheese (36-count, ~$13.99): 1g carbs, 8g protein per stick. Great daily snack.
- Oikos Triple Zero Yogurt (multipack, ~$13.99): 0g added sugar, 15g protein per cup. Sweetened with stevia.
- Kirkland Cottage Cheese (5lb) (~$9.99): 4g carbs per half cup, 13g protein. Use as a side or in recipes.
- Fairlife Milk (3-pack, 52oz each) (~$19.99): 6g carbs vs. 12g in regular milk, plus 13g protein. Better choice for GD.
- Organic Shredded Cheddar (5-cup bags) (~$8.99): 0g carbs. Add to omelets, bowls, and soups.
Frozen Section
- Kirkland Riced Cauliflower (6-pack) (~$9.99): The ultimate rice swap. 5g carbs vs. 45g in regular rice.
- Organic Edamame in the Shell (~$8.99 for 4lb): 8g net carbs per cup, 17g protein. Steam from frozen in 5 minutes.
- Aidells Chicken Apple Sausage (3lb, ~$12.99): 3g carbs per link, 14g protein. Quick protein for any meal.
- Don Lee Farms Plant-Based Bowls: 25–30g carbs per bowl with 12g+ protein — decent for occasional meals.
Pantry and Snacks
- Kirkland Mixed Nuts (3lb) (~$16.99): 5g net carbs per oz. Measure 1-oz portions into snack bags.
- The Only Bean Sriracha Edamame (~$9.99): 8g carbs, 5g fiber, 13g protein — one of the best GD snacks sold anywhere.
- Innofoods Dark Chocolate Keto Nuggets (~$12.99): 9g carbs per serving, 13g fat. Satisfy chocolate cravings responsibly.
- Skinny Dipped Peanut Butter Cups (~$10.99): 6g carbs per cup, 3g fiber, dark chocolate. Dessert that won't spike glucose.
- Crisp Power Protein Pretzels (~$11.99): 3g net carbs, 15g protein per serving. A revelation for pretzel lovers.
- Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers (~$10.99 for 3-pack): 17g carbs per 18 crackers with fiber and protein — better than regular crackers.
- Kirkland Organic Olive Oil (2L) (~$16.99): 0g carbs. Your primary cooking fat.
What to Skip at Costco
- Kirkland Trail Mix: Loaded with raisins and M&Ms — 26g carbs per quarter cup
- Costco Muffins: 50-80g carbs each, almost no fiber
- Naked Juice or any bottled smoothies: 50g+ carbs per bottle
- Costco Pizza (deli): 80g carbs per slice
- Bear Naked Granola: 38g carbs per half cup
- Kirkland Fruit Strips: 22g carbs per strip, minimal fiber
Sample 7-Day Meal Plan Using Costco Products
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Greek yogurt + blueberries + mixed nuts | Rotisserie chicken salad + avocado | Baked salmon + riced cauliflower + broccoli |
| Tue | 2 hard-boiled eggs + string cheese + tomatoes | Turkey taco bowl with Mission tortilla | Chicken breasts + spinach + shredded cheddar |
| Wed | Oikos Triple Zero + strawberries | Tuna salad lettuce wraps | Aidells sausage + cauliflower rice + zucchini |
| Thu | 3-egg omelet + cheddar + spinach | Chicken breast bowl + roasted broccoli | Ground turkey stir-fry + riced cauliflower |
| Fri | Cottage cheese + cucumber + almonds | Rotisserie chicken soup with spinach | Salmon + edamame + cherry tomato salad |
| Sat | Greek yogurt parfait + raspberries | Turkey burger + lettuce wrap + avocado | Meatballs + zucchini noodles + marinara |
| Sun | Fairlife smoothie + protein powder | Leftover chicken + Dave's Killer Bread toast | Batch cook: chicken breasts + roasted vegetables |
Budget Tips for Costco GD Shopping
- Warehouse cost math: A 48oz Greek yogurt at Costco ($6.99) vs. 32oz at a regular store ($5.49) — Costco is 35% cheaper per ounce.
- Freeze in portions: Divide bulk proteins into meal-sized bags before freezing to avoid waste.
- Buy frozen over fresh for most vegetables — identical nutrition, much longer shelf life, and lower cost.
- Rotate snacks: Buy 1-2 snack items per trip to avoid getting bored with the same flavors.
- Check Costco's app: Digital coupons update monthly and often cover items like Greek yogurt, nuts, and salmon.
For more GD shopping strategies, see our complete gestational diabetes grocery list and our guide to bedtime snacks for gestational diabetes.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized guidance.
Ready to stop guessing what to eat?
Take the 60-second quiz and see your personalized GD meal plan — built for your trimester, your tastes, and your glucose targets.
$99 once for your whole pregnancy · 14-day money-back guarantee · no subscription