Best Kroger Foods to Stock Up On, According to Dietitians
From nutrient-rich freezer staples to tasty snacks, these are the foods at Kroger that nutrition pros are loving.
Kroger is one of the largest grocery chains in the U.S., so plenty of people rely on the company's stores to carry out their food shopping. Thanks to low prices and an extensive selection, Kroger is known as a solid choice for people who want to knock out all of their grocery shopping in one go.
Between the grocery store's generic labels and all of its name-brand items, there's a lot to choose from, and you might save time by scoping out highlights in advance rather than aimlessly wandering the store's aisles. Interested in picking up a few recs before your next grocery run? Below, dietitians — many of them religious Kroger shoppers themselves — share their favorite foods at Kroger.
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Wyman's Frozen Wild Blueberries
Becky Rashidifard M.S., R.D.N., likes adding antioxidant- and fiber-rich wild blueberries to her morning smoothies. "Anthocyanins, an antioxidant found in blueberries, improve brain function and decrease aging," she says. "Wild blueberries have three times more antioxidants than ordinary blueberries."
Annie’s Organic White Cheddar Shells Mac N Cheese Macaroni and Cheese Dinner
Sara Kashlan, M.S., R.D.N., a certified eating disorder specialist, intuitive eating coach, and private practice owner, keeps this mac and cheese on hand for days when she doesn't want to cook an elaborate meal. "I love elevating this white cheddar mac and cheese by sauteing some mushrooms, mixing it into the mac and cheese and placing it onto a casserole dish with bread crumbs sprinkled on top, then broiling in the oven for a couple of minutes," she says. "Those minor additions make this boxed mac and cheese taste like something straight from a restaurant."
Good Karma Unsweetened + Protein Flaxmilk
You'll get more protein from this milk alternative made with flaxseed milk and pea protein than you would from your typical almond or oat milk, points out Juliana Tamayo, M.S., R.D., an editor at Fitness Clone. "It is low in fat, but the fat it does have comes from polyunsaturated fats in the flaxseed, which are mostly omega-3 fatty acids," she says. "These are heart-healthy fats that also reduce cholesterol levels."
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Kroger Wild Caught Boneless Frozen Sockeye Salmon
All salmon is high in omega-3's, which benefit heart and brain health, and wild Alaska sockeye salmon has the highest vitamin D content of all salmon species, says Roxana Ehsani, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., L.D.N., a registered dietitian nutritionist and board-certified sports dietitian, located in Miami, Florida. "Also Bristol Bay, Alaska — the source of most of the world’s sockeye — just had the largest harvest season on record, bringing in a haul of more than 60 million fish (104 percent higher than the 20-year average)," she says. "This means there is plenty of wild, sustainable sockeye salmon in Kroger grocery stores right now at an affordable price."
Just Egg
You can use this egg substitute, made with mung bean protein, when cooking or making baked goods (with the exception of light cakes and meringues). "One serving provides almost the same amount of nutrients as one regular egg," says Rhyan Geiger, R.D.N., owner of Phoenix Vegan Dietician. "Some people tend to stray away from regular eggs because of their cholesterol content, but Just Egg has healthy fats [such as] mono- and polyunsaturated fats that are good for heart health."
Simple Truth Walnut Halves & Pieces
Samantha Cassetty, M.S., R.D., nutrition and wellness expert and co-author of Sugar Shock, keeps walnuts on hand to serve over fruit and yogurt, as a salad topping, or toasted in an air fryer and paired with dark chocolate. Research suggests that regularly snacking on walnuts may help relieve stress, she points out. "Walnuts have unique mix of bioactive nutrients and phytochemicals, and they’re the only nut to provide an excellent source of omega-3 ALA per serving," says Cassetty. "This special nutrient package may be behind their mind-body benefits."
Simple Truth Organic Red lentil Spaghetti
Legume-based pastas are just as easy to cook as the real deal, but they're higher in protein and fiber, according to Whitney Stuart, M.S., R.D.N., dietitian and diabetes educator of Whitness Nutrition. Plus, including a variety of plants in your diet "only benefits the diversity and health of your gut microbiome," she says. This red lentil variety has 14 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving.
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Envy Apples
Apples in general make for an easy portable snack that's rich in fiber and antioxidants, notes Lauren Manaker M.S., R.D.N., L.D., a registered dietitian based in Charleston, South Carolina. "Envy apples are unique because their flesh stays white longer, making them a fantastic addition to snack plates, recipes, and more," she says. "They are perfectly crunchy and they have a balanced taste that pairs well with nut butter for an easy and satiating snack."
Quinn Creamy Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets
If you're partial to crunchy, salty snacks, you won't regret picking up these peanut butter-filled pretzels, which also come in maple almond butter and vegan cheesy flavors. "I like them because Quinn's pretzels are whole grain, unlike most pretzels," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D.N., C.S.S.D. "They are made with sorghum, a naturally gluten-free ancient whole grain. And not only does this ancient grain taste great, but it is a highly drought-tolerant and water-efficient crop, thus more environmentally sustainable than many other grain sources."
Kroger Lower Sodium Traditional Pasta Sauce
Jessie Carpenter, M.A., M.S., R.D., L.D., owner of Nutrition Prescription, LLC, considers this sauce one of the best Kroger foods. "I love that it only has 300mg of sodium per serving, which is saving 170mg if you were to buy [Kroger's] original traditional pasta sauce and potentially even more compared to other brands' sauces," says Carpenter. "It has 3 grams of fiber, which is excellent, and only 2 grams of added sugar, which is low for most sauces."
Zespri Sungold Kiwi
The next time you need to stock up on fruit, don't want to overlook this variety of kiwi. "Unlike traditional kiwis, SunGold kiwis are a bright golden color and less acidic," says Alyssa Wilson, R.D. a metabolic success coach at Signos. All kiwi fruits are high in vitamin C and fiber, and they're unique in that they contain actinidin, a naturally-occurring enzyme that aids in digestion, she says.
Bare Baked Crunchy Cinnamon Apple Chips
These apple chips can knock out your sweet and crunchy cravings, and Taylor Arnold Ph.D., R.D.N., founder and CEO of Growing Intuitive Eaters, considers them one of the top Kroger foods. "These chips are a great source of fiber and have simple ingredients, only apples and cinnamon," says Arnold. "I pair this with a cheese stick or some almonds for balanced snacks."
Kettle & Fire Turmeric Ginger Chicken Bone Broth
Making your own bone broth is doable, but requires 12 or so hours of simmering time. Enter: this ready-made version that's among the foods at Kroger. "Bone broth is a natural source of collagen, glycine, and l-glutamine, nutrients that help support digestion, healthy skin, hair, and nails, as well as the immune system," says Pooja Mahtani, Pharm.D., M.S., C.N.S., L.D.N., a licensed dietitian-nutritionist specializing in functional nutrition. "As an added benefit, bone broth is loaded with protein, which helps keep you feeling fuller for longer."
Kroger Traditional Favorites Frozen Cut Leaf Spinach
Spinach is infamous for how quickly it wilts, so there's an obvious advantage to buying frozen spinach, notes Johna Burdeos, R.D. "Like other leafy greens, spinach is packed with fiber and is a great source of vitamins A, C, and K; folic acid; iron; and calcium," says Burdeos. "Spinach also contains antioxidants that support eye health, fight inflammation, and reduce risk of chronic disease."
Dole Sunflower Crunch Chopped Salad Kit
With a chopped salad kit, you can avoid the effort of assembling ingredients and busting out your salad chopper. "The Dole Sunflower Crunch Chopped Salad Kit makes adding greens to your meal so easy," says Perry Nix, M.S., R.D., L.D., dietitian and writer at Fit Healthy Momma. "The salad kit is packed with lettuce, cabbage, kale, and carrots, making it a great source of vitamin A and vitamin C (which supports a healthy immune system)."
