Ok I have some of my usual digs at costco or TJ but Im sure I'm overlooking some great finds and Protein opportunities. What's your "must haves"? Here's mine:

Costco:

Tortilla Crusted Tilapia (frozen. 18g pro. So good!!)

Chobani or Dannon Greek yogurt packs

Fage yogurt

Light babybel

Premier Protein

Persian cucumbers (my new "chips")

Turkey meatballs (frozen. 2 fill me up)

King crab legs (expensive but my fav food)

Ceviche

Mozzarella cheese

The El Torito salad kit

TJ

vanilla yogurt

No Pudge Brownie Mix

Stuffed bell peppers. (So tasty)

Black bean Indian spiced veg patties

Frozen fruit mix

I also recommend the salmon burgers. I bake them too. The other day I made them and loved it (can fit about 1 patty in but feel very full).

I'd my nut recommended veggie burgers. costco has the Morningstar chipotle black bean burgers--which I love. I sometimes use them with eggs and make a scramble for Breakfast.

Another one...Kirkland canned chicken. Now I will be honest before surgery you would have never caught me eating canned chicken. Now, I love to cook with it! Use it with some low sodium taco seasoning and a side of refried Beans and its "Mexican" night. Or I cook it up with some peppers and onions add a little Water down teriyaki sauce and its "Chinese" food night.

Last but not least, ground turkey. My Costco (don't know about others around the country) has the cheapest ground turkey in town so we are always grabbing some when we go.

Costco:

Aidell's chicken teriyaki meatballs -- YUMBO! (I cook a few with some hoisin sauce drizzled on top and it is a great easy meal)

New to my costco -- Legal Seafood Gumbo (OMG DELISH! Only 160 calories per cup! Very filling and tasty meal!)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Can't imagine life w/o Stacy's Pita chips as "croutons" for soup

As already mentioned, I'm a big fan of the Steak Strips too (totally addicted to them)

And may I just say I luurrve the Costco Buffet on the weekends? By the time I'm done shopping and taking samples I'm usually stuffed!

Trader Joe's:

Baked Joe's O's (when I need a crunchy snack)

Sunflower seed butter is an awesome PB substitute

Frozen brown rice. Super easy and fast to nuke and use in stir fries!

Costco:

Aidell's chicken teriyaki meatballs -- YUMBO! (I cook a few with some hoisin sauce drizzled on top and it is a great easy meal)

New to my costco -- Legal Seafood Gumbo (OMG DELISH! Only 160 calories per cup! Very filling and tasty meal!)

Chicken Tortilla soup

Can't imagine life w/o Stacy's Pita chips as "croutons" for soup

As already mentioned' date=' I'm a big fan of the Steak Strips too (totally addicted to them)

And may I just say I luurrve the Costco Buffet on the weekends? By the time I'm done shopping and taking samples I'm usually stuffed!

Trader Joe's:

Baked Joe's O's (when I need a crunchy snack)

Sunflower seed butter is an awesome PB substitute

Frozen brown rice. Super easy and fast to nuke and use in stir fries![/quote']

The costco meatballs are awesome! I am going to look for the seafood gumbo as I love seafood.

Awesome ideas. Are the steak strips in the frozen section?

Awesome ideas. Are the steak strips in the frozen section?

They are in the refrigerated section by the fresh fish and chicken.

Awesome ideas. Are the steak strips in the frozen section?

The steak strips I was referring to are the costco version of beef Jerky (I believe the actual title is Kirkland Signature Steak Strips). They're sold with the beef jerky in the Snacks section of the store (in my store that's right up front near the cash registers). They are way better than the other beef jerky brands Costco sells.

Oh, btw, Trader Joe's sells jerky too, and their flavors are pretty good, but not as good (IMHO) as the Costco steak strips.

The steak strips I was referring to are the costco version of beef jerky (I believe the actual title is Kirkland Signature Steak Strips). They're sold with the beef jerky in the Snacks section of the store (in my store that's right up front near the cash registers). They are way better than the other beef jerky brands Costco sells.

Oh' date=' btw, Trader Joe's sells jerky too, and their flavors are pretty good, but not as good (IMHO) as the Costco steak strips.[/quote']

I find Oberto to be quite salty. So much, in fact, that I can't eat it. How do these compare?

I agree the costco Jerky strips are so good. Not too salty at all and breakdown easier than tough jerky.

I want to try to chicken meatballs and seafood gumbo!

The steak strips I was referring to are the costco version of beef jerky (I believe the actual title is Kirkland Signature Steak Strips). They're sold with the beef jerky in the Snacks section of the store (in my store that's right up front near the cash registers). They are way better than the other beef jerky brands Costco sells.

What's the sodium per serving on those? I love jerky but the sodium in them is a killer so I save it for a rare treat.

Lots of great ideas in this thread, thanks everyone!

What's the sodium per serving on those? I love jerky but the sodium in them is a killer so I save it for a rare treat.

Lots of great ideas in this thread' date=' thanks everyone![/quote']

These have 330mg of sodium per serving.

The steak strips I was referring to are the costco version of beef jerky (I believe the actual title is Kirkland Signature Steak Strips). They're sold with the beef jerky in the Snacks section of the store (in my store that's right up front near the cash registers). They are way better than the other beef jerky brands Costco sells.

Oh' date=' btw, Trader Joe's sells jerky too, and their flavors are pretty good, but not as good (IMHO) as the Costco steak strips.[/quote']

These Costco strips are WAY too good. I ended up munching and munching on this for my afternoon snack today and got too stuffed ( the dreaded stuck feeling. Oh how I thought we parted ways months ago). Must...have...self...control. actually surprised at eating way past satisfied level to the point of not liking it any more at the moment. Can you say trigger food for me? i was like wow, this is so good until I slimed. And then months of sliming memories came back and I quickly reminded myself - not worth it! I cannot let myself fall into lax habits of eating out of taste rather than fuel because if not careful, it will hurt, even though going on 8 months post op. Restriction reduced alot between 5-6 months for me so have to be constantly aware of portions at this time. Not a portion nazi like before month 6 (food scale, measure cups, etc), but thoughtful moderation ( not like this experience for sure!). My eyes usually do a pretty good job at measuring after using food scale and measure cups for 6+ months.

Jerky had been a tricky food for me. Not in the sense that I can't eat it, but that I CAN! Old habits reemerged when there's a big bag nearby. Scary

I don't have a costco membership anymore, but I do have a Bjs one, and they have a nine pack of 100 calorie Jack Links jerky for $12, which is cheaper than Amazon. So far, so good with that vs. getting a big bag.

I just renewed at Bjs, but now I'm wondering if Costco is better.

Jerky had been a tricky food for me. Not in the sense that I can't eat it' date=' but that I CAN! Old habits reemerged when there's a big bag nearby. Scary

I don't have a costco membership anymore, but I do have a Bjs one, and they have a nine pack of 100 calorie Jack Links jerky for 12, which is cheaper than Amazon. So far, so good with that vs. getting a big bag.

I just renewed at Bjs, but now I'm wondering if Costco is better.[/quote']

Costco membership is definitely helpful to have when buying Protein foods. There are so many good choices and because most stuff is bulk, it usually lasts for a good 2-3 weeks. Plus you can get free meals on the weekend! Just be selective about the choices you make because they often demo Cookies and crackers. Aim for the free ham, beef and chicken samples.

costco membership is definitely helpful to have when buying Protein foods. There are so many good choices and because most stuff is bulk' date=' it usually lasts for a good 2-3 weeks. Plus you can get free meals on the weekend! Just be selective about the choices you make because they often demo Cookies and crackers. Aim for the free ham, beef and chicken samples.[/quote']

Hehe had lunch there last week salmon, tilapia,

Sausage.... We didn't have a card for about 5 years (let it lapse) but after surgery I'd say its a must for me!

Oh and looking good Fiddleman

Oh and the basil lemon tilapia is great! And easy!!

Hehe had lunch there last week salmon' date=' tilapia,

Sausage.... We didn't have a card for about 5 years (let it lapse) but after surgery I'd say its a must for me!

Oh and looking good Fiddleman [/quote']

Thanks Laura. I have to say the same about you. Love your new profile picture.