I shop at Aldi every 2 weeks and avoid ultra-processed foods. Here are my favorite items to get for lighter, nutritious meals.
- I shop at Aldi every other week and avoid ultra-processed foods.
- I like to use cabbage and Specially Selected kalamata olives to make easy dishes.
I've been shopping at Aldi for over six years, and the store is my go-to for stocking up on groceries that fit my dietary needs.
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 ultra-processed foods like candy bars and soda. These factory-made foods often contain added salt, sugars, starches, fats, and oils.
Some research even suggests that consuming ultra-processed foods can increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
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.
Here are nine of my favorite things to buy at Aldi.
A head of cabbage is essential for tasty coleslaw.
My favorite way to use cabbage is in garlic coleslaw, which is a simple but delicious side dish for picnics and barbecues.
I shred the cabbage in a food processor and add generous amounts of high-quality olive oil, apple-cider vinegar, salt, white pepper, and garlic powder.
The Millville old-fashioned rolled oats are a hearty, filling breakfast.
I like to make oatmeal for breakfast during the colder months.
I mix the Millville old-fashioned rolled oats with water and microwave them for 90 seconds. Then, I add unsweetened peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit, and a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup for a high-protein, high-fiber breakfast.
The Emporium Selection presliced mozzarella is delicious in tons of meals.
I love the Emporium Selection presliced mozzarella's creamy, neutral flavor profile and versatility.
I enjoy it in caprese salads or with fruit like strawberries in balsamic vinegar.
The Friendly Farms whole-milk plain Greek yogurt is another breakfast staple.
I love having yogurt for breakfast, especially when it's hot out.
To keep things simple, I add walnuts, honey, and dried or fresh fruit to my yogurt, which I also use for smoothies.
When I want fish, I opt for the Northern Catch wild Alaska pink salmon.
Salmon patties are a staple in my house, so I always grab a few cans of the Northern Catch wild-caught salmon.
When I first opened a can, it almost seemed like there was an entire fish inside — one is enough for four good-sized patties.
In my opinion, iceberg lettuce is an underrated salad necessity.
Iceberg lettuce gets a bad rap, but I unabashedly love its simplicity and crunch. I also like that it has a high water content because I can easily get dehydrated due to a gastrointestinal disease.
I finely chop the lettuce and dress it with salt, pepper, oregano, good olive oil, and lemon juice.
The Specially Selected kalamata olives taste great.
Sometimes, I like to pick up a jar of my favorite Specially Selected kalamata olives at Aldi. I eat them in salads, on pizza, or with baked chicken and potatoes.
I always pick up the Dakota's Pride cannellini beans.
Buttery cannellini beans are a favorite of mine. They're great in a tuna-pasta salad and make an excellent side dish.
I like to sauté chopped onion and garlic in olive oil and add fresh cherry tomatoes, cannellini beans, herbs, and spices.
Multicolored bell peppers are great raw or cooked.
Peppers have a million uses, the simplest of which is to slice them up and eat them raw.
I like to cut them into strips, toss them with a generous amount of olive oil, and roast them until they're soft. Then, I put the roasted peppers in a salad, sandwich, or casserole.
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