Any of us are spoiled for choice when it comes to where to shop for meal prep staples, but it's rarely Aldi's healthy product options. So much so that more and more supermarkets of different nationalities are opening in our country.
Aldi is definitely one of the many supermarket options in Spain, and this German-founded retailer is becoming increasingly popular: it is slated to become the third largest supermarket chain in the United States by 2022.
The supermarket has several unique brands to suit a variety of different eating plans, so we've taken a look at exactly what to buy at Aldi, whether you're shopping for the first time or looking for new products to add to your pantry.
Healthy food of animal origin
Fitness nutrition should be based on good quality source protein. In this case, animal products have a greater contribution of nutrients. At Aldi you can find very interesting versions of dairy, meat and supplements.
Simply Nature Plain Whole Milk Yogurt
Whether you're downing your morning yogurt with fiber-rich granola or keeping recipes simple with berries and a drizzle of honey, Aldi's Plain Whole Milk Yogurt is a must.
Organic yogurt is creamy, high in protein, and packed with important nutrients like calcium. Plus, this container is much cheaper than buying single-serve yogurts, saving you more money in the long run.
And the probiotic content of yogurt is similarly pretty impressive: regularly enjoying probiotic-rich foods (like yogurt) is linked to increased innate immunity and improved gut-associated immunity.
Nutrition information per serving (3/4 cup): 120 calories, 6 grams of fat (3.5 grams of saturated fat), 80 milligrams of sodium, 10 grams of carbohydrates (0 grams of fiber, 10 grams of sugar), 6 grams of protein.
Price: €2.
Simply Nature 100% Organic Ground Beef
Ideal for meatballs or burgers, Aldi's grass-fed beef is raised and prepared without antibiotics, hormones, preservatives or nitrates. I advise you to take the time to check your labels carefully. Grass-fed doesn't guarantee products are lean or low in sodium, so don't ignore the Nutrition Facts label. However, these meat quality indicators are another factor to consider when developing a healthy diet.
Nutrition information per serving (4 4-ounce servings): 240 calories, 17 grams of fat (6 grams of saturated fat), 75 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbohydrates (0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar), 21 grams of protein.
Price: €5 per kilo.
Dehesa heifer burgers
Finding good quality burgers is not so easy. Among Aldi's healthy products we could not leave out this beef burger. It contains 95% beef, salt, olive oil and some vegetables and spices to give it texture and flavor. It is a good option for red meat, as long as we cook it in a healthy way and consume it on time.
It is recommended to take it out of the fridge a few minutes before cooking it. We will prepare the grill, griddle or frying pan with a little oil and put it on high heat. Only two minutes on each side will suffice for it to be done, or four minutes for it to be done. However, it is not recommended to consume raw.
Price: €3 for both units.
GutBio plain yogurt
Natural yogurts are always a great option to take care of our diet, which is why we have included them in this compilation of Aldi healthy products. Among Aldi's healthy products we find the GutBio brand. On this occasion, the ingredients they provide are only yogurt (3,8% milk fat) from organic farming. We assume that the only ingredients are milk and the ferments necessary to turn it into yogurt.
It is a 150-gram plastic jar, which gives us the opportunity to buy several and eat them individually, betting on a different recipe each time. We can mix it with seeds, with fruits, add honey or Stevia to sweeten it, grated dark chocolate, crushed nuts, etc.
We recommend individual yogurts for hygiene, or to be very meticulous, and instead of eating directly from the yogurt pot, pour it into a bowl or bowl. As much as we say "only we are going to eat them", the spoon goes back and forth from the jar to the mouth and we can release food remains that contaminate the product and put our health at risk.
The important thing is to have a natural yogurt a day, also, it is one of the best desserts for dinner, since dairy products help to fall asleep. Of course, as long as we respect the time between dinner and sleep, which must be at least an hour and a half.
Price: €0.
Weider Vegan Protein
It is a vegan protein of the highest quality and delicious vanilla flavor. It is made up of pea protein, and thanks to its excellent composition of amino acids, it is the best vegetable protein that we can use, offering a nutritional value comparable to whey protein. Vegan Protein's main protein is pea isolate that has been enriched with rice protein. By combining the protein of a legume with that of a cereal, we obtain a protein of high biological value and easy digestion.
It is aimed at all those people who need an extra supply of protein and are concerned about their health, such as athletes, older adults and people with high physical exhaustion. Vegan Protein is ideal for all those who want to consume clean, safe and naturally lactose, gluten and cholesterol free vegetable proteins. It is also perfect for all those people who, although they are not vegetarians, want to reduce their consumption of animal proteins without reducing the quality of the proteins in their diet.
Price: €14.
Healthy plant-based foods
For vegetarians, vegans or those who want to complement their diet with healthy foods of plant origin, at Aldi it is easy to find an endless number of products.
frozen and fresh vegetables
They have many varieties of frozen organic vegetables, including spinach, broccoli, green beans, squash, and more. It has fantastic prices, and frozen vegetables are frozen at the peak of their ripeness, which means they tend to have even more nutrients than fresh ones. We will only make sure to get the varieties where the only ingredient is the vegetable. Some of their sauces don't have the best ingredients.
There are also fresh organic vegetables, although the variety is not incredibly extensive, but there are some very nice options, including this zucchini.
Simply Nature Chia Seeds
If you're looking to give your salads, smoothies, or oatmeal a nutrition-packed punch, chia seeds are packed with heart-healthy fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Since chia seeds are high in plant-based protein, they can easily be added to tasty appetizers and dessert dishes to boost consumption. The fiber, fat, and protein will help you feel full without affecting your blood sugar. This is the main reason why yes or yes it had to appear among these Aldi healthy products.
Nutrition information per serving (2 tablespoons): 150 calories, 10 grams of fat (1 gram of saturated fat), 0 milligrams of sodium, 10 grams of carbohydrates (10 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar), 6 grams of protein.
Price: €3 per bag
Simply Nature Flax Seeds
Just like chia seeds, it's also recommended to grab some flaxseeds at Aldi because they pack an impressive amount of fiber and omega-3s. Ground flaxseeds are a versatile plant-based protein source that you can easily add to anything from oatmeal to smoothies without affecting the flavor.
Additionally, adding these seeds to your daily diet is linked to a lower risk of developing certain diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, according to a January 2014 study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology.
Nutrition information per serving (4 tablespoons): 170 calories, 12 grams of fat (1 gram of saturated fat), 20 milligrams of sodium, 10 grams of carbohydrates (7 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar), 6 grams of protein.
Price: €2 per bag
Bread with 7 sprouted grains from Simply Nature
This sliced bread is made with sprouted grains and costs about 50 percent less than other brands, which is why we've made it onto Aldi's list of healthy items. If you love Ezekiel bread, Aldi's version is sure to become your wallet's new favorite. Contains minimal ingredients while providing a healthy helping of fiber for just €2 per loaf.
The nutrients in sprouted grains are more bioavailable than those in traditional whole grains, while providing healthy fiber with minimal ingredients. One slice has just 70 calories, 3 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein.
If you're looking for inspiration for easy cooking, I recommend using sprouted grain bread to make a delicious avocado toast for breakfast or making a sandwich with chickpea hummus, which is packed with delicious flavor and 21 grams of protein.
Nutrition information per serving (1 slice): 70 calories, 0 grams of fat (0 grams of saturated fat), 70 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates (3 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar), 3 grams of protein.
Guacamole
So far it is the best guacamole on the market. Guaranteed to contain a 97% avocado and the remaining 3% corresponds to other ingredients such as garlic, onion, dried coriander and pepper. In addition, the production is created in the factories of Natural Tropic SL, a natural company from Vélez-Málaga. Therefore, it is considered a sustainable product.
This guacamole is available in a 250 gram tub at such an affordable price of 1,99 euros. As expected from its components, for every 100 grams of product it provides 159 kilocalories, 14,1 grams of fat, 3,1 grams of carbohydrates and 1,7 grams of protein.
Crispy Quinoa Veggie Burger
Aldi's Veggie Burgers are a great option for your next lunch or dinner as they are fairly low in calories and come with a minimal list of ingredients. We can buy and consume these hamburgers, whether we are vegetarians and vegans, or not. They are prepared like a normal hamburger, with bread, vegetables, cheese and sauces.
The veggie burgers we've added to Aldi's list of healthy items contain quinoa, a solid source of heart-healthy fiber. Most of the fiber is insoluble, which can help relieve constipation, according to a January 2015 study published in Food Chemistry.
Nutrition information per serving (1 burger): 180 calories, 10 grams of fat (1 gram of saturated fat), 290 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates (6 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar), 4 grams of protein.
Price: €3 per box
Simply Nature Classic Hummus
Aldi's creamy hummus is good for both your health and your wallet: it contains 70 calories per serving and we can find it for less than €3. Hummus can be used as a dip with vegetables or whole grain crackers or as a spread on sandwiches.
However you decide to apply it, there's no denying that eating chickpeas, the main ingredient in hummus, is good for you. People who eat chickpeas regularly tend to have higher nutrient intakes of dietary fiber, vitamins A, C and E, folate, iron and magnesium, suggests a December 2016 study published in the journal Nutrients.
The researchers add that eating chickpea-rich foods like hummus is linked to helping prevent (or offset) the development and progression of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, making it only right to spread this good stuff in everything.
Nutrition information per serving (2 tablespoons): 70 calories, 5 grams of fat (1 gram of saturated fat), 125 milligrams of sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates (1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar), 2 grams of protein.
Price: €2
Frozen blueberries
Frozen blueberries could not be missing from this list of healthy Aldi products. They can be added to smoothies or made into homemade low-sugar jams. And even though these bagged berries are frozen, you don't compromise on their amazing health benefits.
Frozen fruit tends to maintain the same nutrition as fresh fruit, but the best part is that it doesn't go bad as quickly as fresh. Since these are plain organic blueberries, they only have 70 calories per serving and tons of plant-based nutrition.
Additionally, blueberries are relatively low in calories and are linked to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasoprotective effects in the body, according to a July 2019 study published in the journal Advances in Nutrition. This makes them ideal for a quick snack or a nutritious breakfast when combined with plain yogurt.
Nutritional information per serving (1 cup):
70 calories, 1 gram of fat (0 grams of saturated fat), 0 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates (4 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar), less than 1 gram of protein.
Price: €2.
Golden Bridge oat flakes
Whole grain oat flakes are a healthy option to introduce into your diet. You can make different recipes such as pancakes, porridge, granola or cookies, which will give a special touch to your meals. In addition, it is a satiating food due to its high fiber content, so it is indicated for people who want to regulate their intestinal transit and lose weight.
The good thing about oatmeal is its pourability, since you can make a multitude of recipes with it and there is no age limit, since the dough for cookies and pancakes can be made for adults and children. We can add the bananas that are getting poky and that we know no one is going to eat, and in a matter of 3 minutes we have created a delicious breakfast or snack for the whole family, as well as being healthy.
Later, if we decorate it with pure dark chocolate, then we are already creating a work of art that we are going to enjoy a lot. We can also add nuts apart from chocolate, or create almond cream, or spread peanut butter. The important thing is to create a complete and healthy food, moving away from refined sugar, which are just empty fats that accumulate in our body and do us no good.
All this healthy eating should be consistent with a healthy lifestyle that includes more or less intense sports at least 3 times a week, depending on our age, state of health, physical condition, etc.
Price: €0.
avocado vinaigrette
This product is ideal for dressing sandwiches, seafood, salads, fruits and everything that comes to mind. If we are bored of always using wine vinegar, this can be a different and healthy alternative.
However, it must be borne in mind that it has a fatty content that is not found in grape or apple vinegar. This does not imply that we should not consume it, but as with avocado oil, we must moderate its consumption.
Price: €0 the pot.
Bread Mix, paleo bread from Gutbio
The main difference between the paleo diet and other types of healthy diets is the absence of whole grains and legumes. It is not that they are not recommended foods, but that they were not accessible in the Paleolithic. Unfortunately, you miss out on good sources of fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients.
In this case, Aldi's paleo bread seeks to enter this type of diet thanks to the type of preparation. In other words, being a product that we have to shape and cook, it can be considered "artisan". And since it has ingredients from sustainable and organic farming, this paleo bread can be consumed without much regret.
It really is a healthy option, beyond being a type of bread allowed in the Paleo diet. It is vegan and gluten free, so it is also perfect to introduce into these eating plans. In addition, it does not contain added sugar and the protein present is mainly provided by oats and chickpeas, two good sources of this macronutrient. The result of GutBio is a bread mix with a high protein intake and easy to make in our kitchen moments.
Price: €2.
Keto Benton Cookies
They are not really healthier than other cookies, but they are healthier than the famous and ultra-processed cookies. Making them with almond flour instead of wheat flour helps stabilize blood sugar.
It also has a good healthy fat from coconut oil, great protein from collagen and egg whites, and 0 grams of added sugar! According to the reviews, it's easy to be tempted to eat the whole bag at once, so be careful.
Acai powder
The açai is a difficult fruit to find in Spain. It is normally imported in a powdered form, since keeping it fresh during long trips would be practically impossible. A powder format is available at Aldi, under its Gutbio brand. As we know, it is a very low-calorie fruit, rich in healthy fats and protein. It is usually used in ice creams or fruit shakes to give it a purple and sweet touch.
It is not a product that is usually found in the store, but there are seasons in which Aldi relaunches its most successful products. In the hot season it is more feasible to find this type of açai.
Price: €7.
Keto protein pizza base
A perfect base for us to prepare our favorite pizza whenever we want. The KETO PROTEIN base pizza is a low-carb option that will help us boost fat burning on the keto diet.
By also having a low sugar content, it allows you to regulate blood glucose levels and also control anxiety and appetite. This pizza base contains triple the protein of a traditional base, which makes it a great ally for the recovery, maintenance and growth of muscles. It is also a great source of fiber.
Each base contains 12,5 grams of protein and only 8,3 grams of carbohydrates. A healthy meal without giving up all its flavor.
Price: €3