I shop at Aldi every 2 weeks and avoid ultra-processed foods. Here are my favorite items to get for lighter, nutritious meals.

<p class="ingestion featured-caption">I like to fill my cart with minimally processed foods when I shop at Aldi.Nina McCollum</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-end-aldi-dinner-items-to-get-from-employee-2024-4">shop at Aldi</a> every other week and avoid ultra-processed foods.</li><li>I like to use cabbage and Specially Selected kalamata olives to make easy dishes.</li></ul><p>I've been <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aldi-cheapest-place-to-buy-groceries-favorite-things-shopping-list-2024-9">shopping at Aldi</a> for over six years, and the store is my go-to for stocking up on groceries that fit my dietary needs.</p><p>I'm in my 50s and try to avoid foods with long ingredient lists and additives I can't identify, so I don't buy <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/some-ultra-processed-foods-may-be-healthier-than-homemade-scientist-2024-6">ultra-processed foods</a> like candy bars and soda. These factory-made foods often contain added salt, sugars, starches, fats, and oils.</p><p><a target="_blank" class href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ultra-processed-foods">Some research</a> even suggests that consuming ultra-processed foods can increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.</p><p>Though it's hard to avoid ultra-processed foods completely, I do my best to buy minimally processed items. Some of the items I buy are also considered processed but not ultra-processed.</p><p>Here are nine of my favorite <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-things-to-get-aldi-baker-shopping-for-two-switzerland-2024-2">things to buy at Aldi</a>.</p>