Paleo Archives – Choosing Nutrition

If you've ever been on a long drive, hopped on a flight, or found yourself hungry when you were supposed to be out the door, you probably appreciate nutrition bars. Ready-to-eat bars are a convenient snack that helps keep you feeling satisfied until you get a chance to eat a more substantial meal. If you're on a Paleo diet, it can be a bit more challenging to find Paleo-friendly bars. Costco carries a variety of snack and protein bars. Many of them aren't Paleo because they contain grains, refined sugars, peanut butter, and/or milk ingredients. Fortunately, Costco does offer some paleo bars including Universal Bakery Paleo Bars and Autumn's Gold Grain Free Granola Bar. Other paleo alternatives at Costco include Kirkland Macadamia Nuts and Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers. In this article, we'll discuss the nutritional value of several paleo bars at Costco, as well as several Paleo-friendly bars available through other retailers like Amazon. We'll then highlight several paleo alternatives at Costco. Let's dig in! Are Paleo Bars Healthy? Paleo bars have the potential to be healthier than other bars because they don't contain refined sugars. However, Paleo bars can still contain added sugar in the form of natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup. Paleo bars can be a good source of fiber thanks to the addition of nuts and seeds. They might not be as high in protein compared to non-Paleo bars because they don't contain whey (milk) protein. One of the main intentions of the Paleo diet is to eat more whole, minimally-processed foods. Paleo bars are processed and aren't as healthy as whole foods without added sugars. That doesn't mean they're unhealthy, but you should try not to rely on them as a staple part of your diet and opt for more whole foods. Which Paleo Bar Brands Does Costco Sell? All of the options listed below are available nationwide from Costco.com. Your local Costco warehouse might carry some or all of these Paleo bars as well. It's also important to note that some Paleo-friendly bars might be available at your local Costco but don't show up on Costco.com such Caveman Foods Bars. Most bars available on Costco.com are not Paleo because they contain milk-based ingredients, peanut butter, grains, and/or added refined sugars. Paleo bars at Costco contain nuts, seeds, Paleo-friendly sweeteners like honey and coconut oil as a binder. 1. Universal Bakery Organic Paleo Bars These bars contain Paleo ingredients and are a good source of fiber. They get their protein and healthy fat from nuts and seeds. The second ingredient is honey making them relatively high in added sugars per serving. Ingredients: Organic Whole Almonds Organic Honey Organic Coconut Organic Pumpkin Seeds Organic Coconut Oil Organic Brazil Nuts Organic Pumpkin Seed Protein Organic Chia Seeds Organic Cinnamon Sea Salt Organic Vanilla Flavor Nutritional Information (per one bar): Calories: 230 Total Fat: 19 g Saturated Fat: 9 g Sodium: 45 mg (2% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 14 g Dietary Fiber: 4 g Total Sugars: 9 g Added Sugars: 8 g (16% DV) Protein: 6 g 2. Autumn's Gold Grain Free Granola Bar Like the first option in the list, these Paleo-certified bars contain nuts, seeds, and coconut oil as well as maple syrup and honey as sweeteners. Ingredients: Almonds Pecans Maple Syrup Organic Honey Unsweetened Coconut Pumpkin Seeds Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil Cinnamon Sea Salt Vanilla Extract Nutritional Information (per one bar): Calories: 210 Total Fat: 17 g Saturated Fat: 4.5 g Sodium: 60 mg (2% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 11 g Dietary Fiber: 3 g Total Sugars: 6 g Protein: 5 g 3. Caveman Foods Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut Bars While these are branded as "paleo" (and the brand name couldn't be any more paleo-focused), the ingredients in this bar are far from desirable. This bar is highly processed and contains inflammatory oils such as palm and sunflower oil, as well as various forms of added sugar such as sugar, agave syrup, and honey. Additionally, this bar contains "natural flavors", which are far from primal. Ingredients: Nut and Seed Blend (Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Coconut, Cashews) Tapioca Syrup Dark Cocoa Coating (Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, [Cocoa Processed with Alkali], Sunflower Lecithin Agave Syrup Honey Unsweetened Chocolate High Oleic Sunflower Oil Sea Salt Natural Flavors Nutritional Information (per one bar): Calories: 220 Total Fat: 15 g Saturated Fat: 6 g Sodium: 20 mg (1% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 15 g Dietary Fiber: 3 g Total Sugars: 7 g Added Sugars: 6 g Protein: 5 g Other Paleo Bars NOT Sold at Costco Munk Pack Keto Granola Bar Almond Butter Cocoa Chip These bars are free of added sugar thanks to allulose, a natural sugar that is much lower in calories since it isn't metabolized by your body. Ingredients: Almonds Allulose Almond Butter Coconut Sunflower Seeds Soluble Tapioca Fiber Flaxseeds Vegetable Glycerin Palm Oil Natural Flavor Sea Salt Alkalized Cocoa Powder Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) For Freshness Sunflower Lecithin Monk Fruit Extract Nutritional Information (per one bar): Calories: 140 Total Fat: 12 g Saturated Fat: 3 g Sodium: 60 mg (3% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 12 g Dietary Fiber: 4 g Total Sugars: 1 g Added Sugars: 0 g Allulose: 5.5 g Glycerin: 0.5 g Protein: 5 g YES Bar Dark Chocolate Chip Bars Ingredients: Almonds Maple Syrup Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Coconut Blossom Sugar, Cocoa Butter) Sunflower Seeds Pumpkin Seeds Cashews Coconut Butter Macadamia Nuts Coconut Nectar Pecans Tahini White Chia Seeds Ground Flax Celtic Sea Salt Vanilla Extract Nutritional Information (per one bar): Calories: 220 g Total Fat: 17 g Saturated Fat: 5 g Sodium: 90 mg (4% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 13 g Dietary Fiber: 3 g Total Sugars: 8 g Protein: 5 g Julian Bakery Paleo Thin Protein Bar These Paleo-friendly bars are much higher in protein and fiber compared to other options. Ingredients: Egg White Powder Organic Sunflower Seed Butter Organic Prebiotic Fiber (From Tapioca) Monk Fruit Extract Nutritional Information (per one bar): Calories: 150 Total Fat: 7 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Sodium: 230 mg (10% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 25 g Dietary Fiber: 24 g Total Sugars: 1 g Added Sugars: 0 g Protein: 20 g Thunderbird Paleo Hemp Sunflower Pumpkin Seed These bars are lower in added sugar compared to some other Paleo-friendly bars making them a good choice if you're trying to cut back on your sugar intake. Ingredients: Dates Macadamia Nuts Almonds Pumpkin Seeds Sunflower Seeds Hemp Seeds Macadamia Nut Butter Coconut Shreds Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Cinnamon Himalayan Sea Salt Nutritional Information (per one bar): Calories: 250 Total Fat: 22 g Saturated Fat: 6 g Sodium: 75 mg (3% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 11 g Dietary Fiber: 3 g Total Sugars: 5 g Added Sugars: 0 g Protein: 7 g Blueberry RX Bar Ingredients: Dates Egg Whites Almonds Cashews Blueberries Natural Flavors Nutritional Information (per one bar): Calories: 210 Total Fat: 7 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Sodium: 140 mg (6% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 24 g Dietary Fiber: 4 g Total Sugars: 15 g Added Sugars: 0 g Protein: 12 g Larabar Apple Pie Ingredients: Dates Almonds Unsweetened Apples Walnuts Raisins Cinnamon Nutritional Information (per one bar): Calories: 200 Total Fat: 9 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Sodium: 10 mg (0% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 25 g Dietary Fiber: 4 g Total Sugars: 18 g Added Sugars: 0 g Protein: 4 g Alternatives to Paleo Bars at Costco There are other Paleo-friendly snack options at Costco besides bars. Some of these options are healthier because they're less processed and don't contain as much (if any) added sugar compared to Paleo bars. Further Food Collagen Peptides Powder Most types of protein powder at Costco aren't Paleo because they contain whey which is from milk. Collagen peptides are a great alternative to use as protein powder. Ingredients: Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen Peptides Nutritional Information (per one 8 gram scoop): Calories: 30 Total Fat: 0 g Sodium: 25 mg (1% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 0 g Dietary Fiber: 0 g Protein: 7 g Kirkland Signature Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts Nuts are a healthy snack and are portable and mess-free. Costco's mixed nuts use peanut oil which isn't Paleo. There are plain nuts sold in Costco warehouses like plain almonds and walnuts, but they aren't available to purchase online so aren't included in this list. Ingredients: Macadamia Nuts Sea Salt Nutritional Information (per 12 pieces): Calories: 210 Total Fat: 21 g Saturated Fat: 3.5 g Sodium: 100 mg (4% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 4 g Dietary Fiber: 2 g Total Sugars: 2 g Added Sugars: 0 g Protein: 2 g Simple Mills Almond Flour Sea Salt Crackers These crackers are gluten-free and Paleo-friendly. They even contain a decent amount of protein for crackers. Ingredients: Nut & Seed Flour Blend (Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Flaxseeds) Tapioca Starch Cassava Flour Sea Salt Organic Onion Organic Garlic Rosemary Extract Nutritional Information (per 17 crackers): Calories: 150 Total Fat: 8 g Saturated Fat: 0.5 g Sodium: 230 mg (10% DV) Total Carbohydrates: 18 g Dietary Fiber: 2 g Total Sugars: 0 g Protein: 3 g Made in Nature Organic Dried Mango Many types of dried fruit contain added sugars which aren't necessary since fruit is naturally sweet. This brand doesn't add any sugar and is a source of fiber and potassium. Ingredients: Organic Mangoes Nutritional Information (per 1/2 cup): Calories: 140 Total Fat: 0 g Sodium: 0 mg Total Carbohydrates: 34 g Dietary Fiber: 2 g Total Sugars: 24 g Added Sugars: 0 g Protein: 1 g Related Questions Does Costco sell Paleo-friendly cereal? According to Costco.com, there aren't any Paleo-friendly cereals currently available. However, there are plenty of healthy options you can find at Costco to make a Paleo breakfast such as eggs, meats, vegetables, and almond butter. Costco also sells grain-free flours like almond flour for you to make your own Paleo-friendly breakfast and nutrition bars. Which types of Paleo-friendly fats can I buy at Costco? Costco sells Paleo-friendly oils like extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil. You can buy an extra-large tub of coconut oil at Costco if you go through it quickly. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more cost-effective option than Costco's extra-virgin coconut oil at $15.99 for 84 fluid ounces. Does Costco sell Paleo-friendly baking ingredients? If you want to make Paleo-friendly baked goods and desserts, you're in luck. You can find pure maple syrup, honey, coconut oil, pure vanilla, grain-free flours like almond flour and other grain-free blends, and cocoa powder. You can also buy shelf-stable almond milk and eggs to complete your Paleo baking shopping list. Related Guides Is Muesli Paleo Friendly? Are Cacao Nibs Paleo? Is Popcorn Paleo?