It’s Costco coupon time and they’ve got some exciting deals lined up for you! This month’s coupons are valid through July 21st—but don’t dilly dally! You never know how quickly some of these goodies will sell out. So without delay, here are our healthy hot summer deal picks to keep you hydrated and energized—whether you’re hitting the beach or the campground or just need something to get you through your work day.
Titan Crush-Resistant Expandable Lunch Pack
$14.99 each, limit of 5
There’s nothing worse than working all morning and anticipating the amazing, healthy lunch you’ve packed only to find it all mushed, limp and soggy. Enter the Titan Crush-Resistant Expandable Lunch Pack. It features technology-driven insulation and microbe-busting capabilities to keep your food safe and cold until lunchtime. Opening one of the zippers expands the pack, allowing more room for snacks. It’s got two built-in compartments that hold two (included) ice packs, which means your food will stay cold even if you don’t have a refrigerator to store it in. And with its two padded handles and adjustable shoulder strap, there will be no more juggling acts walking into school or work. Oh, and have I mentioned it comes with crush-proof, leak-proof containers to store your food? Buh bye squashed sandwiches and leaking salad dressings!
Liquid I.V.
$8 off Energy Multiplier and/or Hydration Multiplier, limit 4 each
Whether you’re working or playing in the summer heat, there’s a good chance that water alone will not be enough to keep you well-hydrated. When you sweat you lose electrolytes that must be replaced (as a side note, it’s super important to know the signs of heat-related illness, as it can quickly become a medical emergency). And let’s face it. Sometimes it’s just so dang hot that food isn’t very appealing. That’s where Liquid I.V. comes in.
Each box of Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier and Energy Multiplier contains packets of flavored powder that replace some of the electrolytes you’ve lost—including sodium and potassium. They also provide B vitamins to help your body produce energy. Unless it says “sugar-free,” Liquid I.V. is sweetened with cane sugar. The sugar-free Liquid I.V. is sweetened with allulose, a “rare sugar” found naturally in foods that have almost no calories. Liquid I.V. Energy Multiplier has everything the Hydration Multiplier has with the addition of caffeine—about the amount you get in 1-2 cups of coffee—for a boost of energy. I like that there is nothing artificial in Liquid I.V.—and it tastes great!
The flavors on sale this month include the Energy Multiplier Yuzu Pineapple (24 count) and the Hydration Multiplier Strawberry/Golden Cherry Variety Pack (30 count), the Sugar-Free Variety Pack (26 count) and the Firecracker (reminiscent of the Firecracker popsicles, 30 count).
Vita Coco Coconut Water
$5.50 off an 18-pack, limit 10
Staying on the electrolyte and hydration theme, Costco has Vita Coco Coconut Water on sale too. Coconut water—what some refer to as the coconut’s juice—comes from the inside of young coconuts. It’s “cloudy-clear” with a slightly sweet taste and naturally contains electrolytes—including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It’s important to note that some companies that market coconut water dilute pure coconut water with plain water. This is not the case with Vita Coco. You get nothing but actual coconut water with the addition of just 1 gram of added sugar and some vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid to help maintain the freshness of the product. Because it naturally contains electrolytes, coconut water can be a great fluid replacement when you need extra hydration. You can also use coconut water in cocktails and smoothies, like our Pineapple-Grapefruit Detox Smoothie.
Noosa Yoghurt
$3.30 off a 12-count variety pack of 4 oz. cups
Here at EatingWell, we love our yogurt—or in this case, yoghurt, since Noosa originated from Down Under. Yogurt is a great source of calcium and protein. And thanks to the live active cultures—aka probiotics—yogurt is gut health-friendly.
It can sometimes be difficult to find whole milk yogurt, which is one reason I love Noosa. They use only whole milk, which produces an incredibly creamy Greek-style yogurt that’s just the right thickness. The little extra fat from the whole milk can also help sustain you longer than reduced- or nonfat yogurt. And there’s nothing artificial in these cups. They use real fruit puree and sweeten with cane sugar and wildflower honey. If I had one request regarding Noosa, it would be that they reduce the amount of sugar just a skosh. Each of the 4-ounce cups in this variety pack provides about 25% of your day’s worth of added sugar, so unless you’re getting no other added sugar in your diet, stick to one or two of the 4 oz. cups per day.
Late July Snacks Organic Multigrain Sea Salt Tortilla Chips
$2 off 28 oz. bag, limit 10
Despite its name, Late July Snacks are great any time of the year and their Organic Multigrain Sea Salt Tortilla Chips just happen to be on our list. These tortilla chips are an amazing fusion of ground corn, brown rice, flax, millet, amaranth and chia seeds. And while you might think all those different grains would result in more fiber and protein, the given nutritional values are almost identical to their regular tortilla chips—2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein per serving. So the difference really lies in the taste, which is a little heartier and nuttier than a traditional tortilla chip. These chips would go great with any one of our dips, including our Chicken Parmesan Dip, Lobster Roll Dip and Loaded Black Bean Dip.
Gourmet Nut Power Up Mega Omega Trail Mix
$3 off 26 oz. bag, limit 10
You’ll go nuts over this heart-healthy mix of almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries and mango. This plant-based protein-packed snack would go great tossed into the Noosa yoghurt for a satiating snack that will get you to your next meal. I love that it’s a snack I can take on the go and not worry about it melting (although I have been known to add a little bit of dark chocolate to my mix). Dried mango isn’t something you find very often in trail mix, and it really adds a nice pop of color and tropical fruitiness—along with some antioxidants. This fruit-and-nut combo also provides some fiber, making it an all-around good-for-you snack. Eat it as is, over yogurt, or toss it into homemade granola or granola bars.
Aidells Smoked Chicken & Apple Sausage—Regular & Organic
$4.30 off a 3 lb. package of Smoked Chicken & Apple Sausage and/or 2.5 lb. package of Organic Smoked Chicken & Apple Sausage
Rounding out our Costco picks this month are Aidells Smoked Chicken & Apple Sausages—regular and organic. I love that these sausages have only the necessary ingredients with the first three being chicken, apples and apple juice. Since they’re made with chicken, they have a little less saturated fat than pork sausage. These protein-packed, fully-cooked chicken sausages are smoky, tender and juicy—and perfect for grilling. Load them up with grilled or sautéed onions and bell peppers for an antioxidant and fiber boost. Or slice them up and toss them into scrambled eggs. Serve them with whole-grain toast topped with a quick homemade chia berry jam for breakfast or with a simple green salad for dinner.