I'm a busy mom who shops at Costco. Here are 12 things I buy for quick and healthy meals and snacks.

The Made Good bars are great for filling my snack cabinet. I also put these in my bag or the kids' soccer bags when on the go.

They're common-allergen-free — which is perfect for my kids' school — and made with gluten-free oats and vegetable extracts.

Sesame Snaps are nostalgic for me — I grew up eating these sweet, seedy treats.

But they're actually a great low-calorie snack that's perfect for a burst of energy before a soccer or hockey game.

I like to take collagen daily to help strengthen my hair, skin, nails, joints, bones, and muscles.

Organika's collagen powder is tasteless, so I mix it in my coffee. Plus, Costco sells it in a 1-kilogram tub, so I rarely run out.

Gone are the days when beef jerky was just a gas-station food. Jack Link's tastes amazing, and my kids love it.

It's perfect as an added protein for lunches, recess breaks, or weekend road trips since there are 9 grams in one serving.

Almond butter is so versatile as an ingredient. I use it when I make waffles, smoothies, nut-butter cups, cookies, and even homemade dog treats.

It's high in protein and essential fats, and it's a great-tasting staple to have at home (since my kids can't take almond products to school).

For the longest time, my kids wouldn't eat cheese and crackers. But my son loves the RW Garcia sweet-potato crackers, so they've stuck around.

They taste great, provide some fiber and essential minerals, and go with anything. I like to eat them with yogurt dips or on their own.

Heavenly Hunks are a bit of a guilty pleasure for me and my family. When the demand for dessert is high, especially on a school night, these are a solid pick.

The "hunks" are made with oatmeal, dark chocolate, and coconut, and they fill my craving for something sweet. I keep them at home and at the office.

Greenfield makes the best turkey sausages I've ever had.

I pop them in the air fryer on weekday mornings and serve them with whole-grain toast and a side of fruit for a simple (and extremely fast) breakfast.

I've also used them in soups to add some heartiness.

On weekday mornings I almost never have time to eat breakfast. By the time I get to work, my hunger pangs kick in, so I keep some breakfast wraps there.

All I need to do is microwave a wrap on high for one minute 30 seconds. Then I add some hot sauce for a fulfilling breakfast with 10 grams of protein that's under 300 calories.

I actually love to cook, but my time is limited on weeknights. I use Better Than Bouillon veggie base to flavor meat dishes, stews, sauces, and even rice.

It's a great hack for tasty food without having to season or marinate anything in advance.

BoomChickaPop is, in my opinion, the best store-bought popcorn. It's low-calorie, nongreasy, and airy.

I skip the microwave variety and keep this on hand for after-school snacks, to fill the kids' bento-box lunch compartments, or to grab when I need a late-night snack.

Though I would prefer my kids eat homemade oatmeal, they only agree to have the Quaker instant version.

The variety box from Costco has the three best flavors: apple cinnamon, cinnamon and spice, and maple brown sugar. It's an easy school-day breakfast.

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.