The #1 Snack to Buy at Costco for Weight Loss

If you think you need to avoid snacking to lose weight, we have great news. You don’t! Eating balanced meals and snacks can help support stable blood sugar, prevent cravings and help you feel full and satisfied. And guess what? Costco—everyone’s favorite buy-it-in-bulk store—has one of the best snacks for weight loss. 

So, we won’t beat around the bush. Chomps Original Beef Sticks are the best snack for weight loss at Costco. If you want to know why, keep reading to learn what makes Chomps so great, plus our simple, balanced snack formula. 

How Beef Sticks Can Help with Weight Loss

High in Protein

Grabbing a protein-rich snack can be a helpful move for weight loss. Why? Protein promotes satiety and can help you maintain calorie-burning muscle. With 10 grams of high-quality protein from 100% grass-fed beef per stick, Chomps is a winner! 

How much protein do you need? Technically speaking, the recommended dietary allowance for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight for adults 18 and older (roughly 0.36 grams of protein for every pound you weigh). However, research shows that eating a diet that is higher in protein than the RDA may decrease body weight and increase fat-free mass.

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight in the past, you know that hunger between meals is real. “I love these as a snack for weight loss because they are nonperishable, so they can be left in a bag or purse for a snack emergency—when you need something but don’t have other options,” says Christina Lombardi, M.S., RD, a registered dietitian and owner of Functional Nutrition Rx.

“They are high in protein, which will help keep you fuller longer between meals and prevent grazing.” 

Lombardi recommends pairing them with fruit, like an apple or banana. In return, you’ll get a balanced snack with a good mix of protein, fiber, healthy carbs and fats that has the power to satisfy you and provide long-lasting energy for a healthy body weight and overall well-being. 

Low in Calories

While we are certainly not encouraging you to follow a low-calorie diet or count calories, balanced snacks that are low in calories can be helpful if you’re trying to manage your weight. 

That’s because weight loss requires eating fewer calories than your body burns for energy. So, moderation can help.

 Chomps beef sticks are low in calories, with only 100 calories per stick. Add a medium-size apple for roughly 120 calories and 4 grams of fiber, and you have a healthy, balanced snack.

Low in Sugar

Some beef jerky and meat sticks contain added sugars, especially flavored varieties. That can spell trouble, as eating too much added sugar has been linked to overweight and obesity, not to mention heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Conversely, limiting the amount of added sugar you consume is important for health and can also aid in weight management. Chomps contains 0 grams of sugar, making it a great option if you’re trying to make choices that support a healthy weight. 

Strategies to Select a Healthy Snack for Weight Loss

Snacking gets a bad rap. So, you may be surprised to hear that eating balanced snacks can actually help your weight-loss efforts, not hinder them. 

Focusing too much on calorie restriction and skipping meals and snacks can be harmful to your health and prevent you from reaching your goals. Instead, “tune into hunger and fullness cues, and focus on adding more nutritious, satisfying foods to improve your relationship with food and support a healthy weight,” says Texas-based registered dietitian Cayleigh McKenna, RD, LDN. When those between-meal hunger pangs hit, try this simple, balanced formula: protein plus fiber equals a filling and satisfying snack for weight loss.

Pick a Protein

Protein is slowly digested and helps keep energy and blood sugar levels stable. As a result, it may prevent cravings that can sometimes lead to less-than-healthy choices. Pairing protein with fiber and healthy fats can be especially helpful for blunting those hunger-inducing blood sugar spikes.

Protein also provides the building blocks for muscle, so eating protein throughout the day may help prevent muscle loss and promote lean body mass. Aim for snacks with at least 7 grams of protein. 

Focus on Fiber 

A fiber-containing snack has many health benefits, including healthy weight loss. Research shows that increasing dietary fiber may result in weight loss regardless of which specific type of diet you follow. Fiber doesn’t just fill you up. Because we can’t break down fiber for energy, it provides negligible calories. 

That’s not all. A diet that includes plenty of fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer, says Sheri Gaw, RDN, CDCES, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for Dietitian Insights. If you’re wondering how much to aim for, 3 grams of fiber per snack is a good ballpark. 

Limit Added Sugar

Sugar makes food taste great. However, it’s not very satiating, making it easy to overeat lots of empty calories without realizing it. Choosing snacks that are low in added sugar and provide more protein and fiber is a more effective way to support your weight-loss goals. How much is OK? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting added sugars to a maximum of 10% of total calories. That’s roughly 12 teaspoons, or 50 grams, for someone who eats 2,000 calories a day.

Watch Saturated Fat

If you’re wondering if fat makes you gain weight, the answer is yes and no. Yes, fat does pack more calories than protein or carbs. However, when it comes to weight management, the type of fat you eat matters. Specifically, research has found that saturated fat promotes weight gain more than heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. 

Choosing snacks that are low in saturated fat is good for your heart health and your weight-loss goals. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to less than 6% of your daily calories, which equals about 13 grams per day for a 2,000-calorie diet.

The Bottom Line

There are plenty of weight-loss-friendly snacks at Costco. But our favorite is Chomps Original Beef Sticks. They’re high in protein, have zero sugars and are low in calories. So, be sure to toss a box (or two!) into your cart on your next Costco run. Of course, a healthy snack for weight management isn’t only about protein. Fiber helps, too. So, pair your beef sticks with fiber-rich fruits or veggies. 

And remember, weight is only one indicator of health. Focus on sustainable, health-promoting behaviors, like eating a balanced diet with a variety of nutrients, getting adequate sleep and physical activity and managing stress. Together, these can help you become the best version of yourself and help you settle into a weight that’s healthiest for you.