11 Healthy Aldi Staples I Always Have on Hand — and You Should Too

Updated on 6/20/2018 at 6:45 AM

POPSUGAR Photography | Hedy Phillips

I never knew the joys of Aldi until very recently. It wasn't a store I frequented growing up, for some reason or another, but now that I've really seen all the ridiculously affordable foods that the store offers, I'm never turning back. Better yet, this store, which keeps its products' prices low by cutting costs elsewhere (like not using shelves but instead keeping food in its boxes), still offers high-quality food. Case in point, the produce section. You can find amazing produce at the lowest of low prices.

It was the produce section that roped me into shopping for my healthy staples at Aldi, but once I ventured down the other aisles, I realized the store was so much more than just some ripe avocados and cheap cherries. From oatmeal to jars of salsa, Aldi truly carries a little bit of everything, including those diet-friendly foods some of us want to keep stocked in our kitchens at all times. For a few of my favorites, keep reading.

Casa Mamita Salsa ($2)

I love to use salsa in a lot of things for extra flavor without a bunch of extra calories. Aldi's salsa selection has a few varieties so you can switch it up based on what you want to eat it with. I love to mix mine in with rice or quinoa and a bunch of veggies for a delicious bowl.

Live Gfree Bars ($2)

I'm not necessarily gluten free, but I try to not eat it too much of it because I find I feel better when I eat it less. These gluten-free bars are a great snack option, especially when I'm tied to my desk all afternoon and can't get up to go get something fresh.

Simply Nature Freeze Dried Fruit ($3)

My favorite thing about these freeze-dried fruit snacks is that the only ingredient literally is fruit. There's no added sugar, but keep in mind that the natural sugar is still there! The pieces are smaller because of the lack of water, so just don't eat too much at a time. (I know, it's hard.)

Millville Steel-Cut Oats ($2)

Steel-cut oats make an awesome breakfast. Whether you've got quick oats or not, it doesn't matter, because either option can be turned into a scrumptious meal that will keep you on your healthy-eating plan.

Friendly Farm Chocolate Cashewmilk ($2)

When it comes to dairy-free milks, I have found that they aren't my favorite unless they're flavored. Aldi has a really inexpensive chocolate cashew milk that I'm actually willing to drink thanks to its rich flavor.

La Croix ($4)

You know, it took me a long time to understand why people love sparkling water so much. If you ask me, it's like it's trying to be pop, because it's carbonated, but it just can't get there because it's not sweetened. I've slowly become a convert, though, thanks to LaCroix, which has no added sweeteners and comes in really delicious flavors.

Friendly Farms Greek Nonfat Yogurt ($3)

Do yourself a favor and pick up this Greek yogurt next time you're in Aldi and use it to make this pasta sauce. The Greek yogurt adds a fullness to the sauce that takes it up a notch. My other favorite use for Greek yogurt is as a sour cream substitute.

Avocados ($1)

Yes, Aldi has avocados for just over $1 each, and they're good avocados. My store also offers them in varying levels of ripeness, so I can pick up three of them in a different stage of readiness and not have to worry about one going bad because I bought too many at once.

Season's Choice Cowgirl Caviar ($2)

I love ready-made foods that I can pack my freezer with. These Cowgirl Caviars, which have a quinoa base and are mixed with a bunch of veggies and spices, make a great side dish with some chicken tacos or something similar.

GT's Living Foods Kombucha ($3)

I truly love kombucha. What I don't love about kombucha is the price tag. I don't buy it often because most stores charge well over $4 for a bottle, but Aldi keeps it at just over $3. This is definitely the place to stock up on it.

Benner Tea ($2)

My tea collection is borderline absurd at this point. But the thing with all the different kinds of tea is that they're good for so many things. I like a cup in the morning to wake me up — instead of coffee — in the afternoon on a chilly day, or at night when I'm getting ready for bed. Aldi has a wide variety to suit all your tea-drinking needs.