"Maybe it’s because I am a registered dietitian by day, or perhaps it’s just because of who I am as a person, but grocery shopping is one of those necessary tasks I simply love to do. When I walk down the aisles, I feel inspired to create healthy meals that will leave me feeling satisfied without sacrificing flavor. I started doing my grocery shopping at Aldi in college, when budgeting was of utmost importance. Now that I am well into adulthood, I continue to choose Aldi as my go-to grocery store because I know I can find most everything I need without overspending.
panic packing? I don't know her.
When it comes to groceries, my weekly budget fluctuates depending on what I need to stock up on. At Aldi, I try to grab all my staples for the week for $75 or less. That way, I still have some wiggle room to spend money on niche grocery items at a different retailer without breaking the bank. Keep reading for my typical Aldi shopping list with a $75 weekly budget.
1. Protein Bars ($4.49)
I like to think of these Elevation Maxx bars as knock-off RX bars (which I also love). I’ve tried all three flavors from Aldi, and none of them disappoint. These bars are an auto-buy for me because I know I can easily toss one in my work bag without a second thought and have a high-protein snack to grab later in the day.
2. Avocado Oil ($6.59)
Avocado oil is a staple in my household—I use it for cooking eggs, sautéing vegetables, and even baking! It has a high smoke point, meaning you can cook with it at up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit without it burning, making it very versatile to use in at-home cooking. I’ll admit, it can get pricey, so I make sure to add it to my Aldi shopping list when I’m running low since I use it so often.
3. Peanut Butter ($4.85)
Aldi’s Simply Nature line offers a variety of affordable organic products across the store. When it comes to choosing nut butters, I aim to purchase ones with the fewest ingredients possible, and Aldi’s Simply Nature organic peanut butter fits the bill.
4. Greek Yogurt ($3.35)
In my humble opinion, plain Greek yogurt is underrated. I recognize eating it on its own is not for everyone, but I love adding fruit and granola to sweeten it up for a midday snack. Aside from yogurt parfaits, it works great for baking, as a substitute for sour cream, or as an additional protein boost in your morning smoothie. Needless to say, I always have this in my fridge.
5. Spinach ($1.55)
Speaking of smoothies, Aldi’s bagged spinach is another product I don’t pass up. I am all about adding extra vegetables to meals when I can, so having a washed and ready produce item on hand makes it super easy. I like to toss handfuls of spinach into a smoothie or incorporate it into an egg scramble.
6. Salad Kit ($3.29)
If you haven’t noticed, I’m a fan of having convenient options at home to take the stress out of meal prep. Salad kits are the perfect addition to a weeknight meal or an easy grab-and-go lunch option. I’m not picky when it comes to choosing one of the many flavors Aldi offers, but recently, I’ve been gravitating toward the sunflower chopped salad kit since the edamame, sunflower seeds, and quinoa mix offer a crunchy, plant-based protein topping.
7. Mini Avocados ($3.25)
I’ll admit it: Despite the great prices, sometimes Aldi produce can be hit or miss. One thing that stays consistent, however, is their avocados. Like most millennials, I love avocado toast for breakfast, so I tend to grab a bag of mini ones to use for the week.
8. Sprouted Bread ($4.09)
You can’t have avocado toast without bread, and this sprouted seven-grain bread is my current favorite. Since it is a little bit more expensive than some of their other bread offerings (and I don’t go through it that quickly), I put my loaf in the freezer once I get home to ensure a longer shelf life.
9. Kombucha ($3.58)
If you’re not familiar, kombucha is a carbonated, fermented tea beverage. Due to the fermentation process, kombucha contains good bacteria (similar to yogurt) and can help support gut health. This brand and flavor happen to be my favorite, so I usually snag one or two bottles to have with lunch or dinner.
10. Hummus ($2.85)
If you shop at Aldi often, you’re probably familiar with their extensive variety of dips. While I have tried my fair share of the options, I always come back to hummus. Roasted red pepper is my favorite flavor, and I always pick it up for an easy snack I can dip carrots, bell peppers, or crackers in.
11. Tikka Masala Sauce ($3.55)
One of my favorite dinners involves four main ingredients: chickpeas, whatever veggies I need to use up, rice, and this sauce. For an easy weeknight meal, I sauté the chickpeas and vegetables together, add a jar of this sauce, and serve over rice. It’s simple yet delicious and helps me spend less on takeout from my favorite Indian restaurant.
12. Brown Rice ($3.85)
Aldi is a great place to stock up on pantry items, particularly easy-to-prepare grains. I usually rotate between quinoa, brown rice, and jasmine rice on my grocery runs. This week, I decided to pick up basmati brown rice to use with a variety of meals for the week.
13. Chicken Sausage ($3.19)
Let’s be honest: Sometimes, you just don’t have the energy at the end of the day to cook meat (or, if you’re like me, you forget to thaw frozen meat the night before). That’s where having a pre-cooked protein source comes in. I like to use these chicken sausages for a sheet pan meal with veggies.
14. Oatmeal ($2.75)
Oatmeal is one of my go-to breakfasts. I often buy the bulk container of oats, but I love that these individual packets also contain flax for some heart-healthy fats. Since I am almost always running late in the morning, having something that I can take with me is a must.
15. Frozen Chicken ($8.49)
Having frozen chicken in my freezer for weekly meal prep has been a game-changer. Lately, I have been throwing chicken into a slow cooker on Sundays with my favorite seasonings and letting it cook on low during the day. Once done, I shred it and pair it with a salad kit for easy lunches throughout the week.
16. Frozen Berries ($6.79)
Living in the Midwest, berries can be hard to come by depending on the season. I know I can always count on Aldi for their frozen fruit selection and make sure to always grab a bag of mixed berries or one of their other frozen fruit varieties to use in smoothies.
17. Tuna ($0.85)
I know tuna is not a crowd favorite, but I personally love a good tuna salad sandwich. Ringing in as the cheapest item on my Aldi shopping list, this canned tuna usually gets me two meals. Talk about a budget-friendly item!
18. Chia Seeds ($3.95)
Chia seeds were on sale this week, so I had to snag a bag. If you’re trying to sneak in extra fiber throughout your day, chia seeds are the way to go. I sprinkle them on practically everything, though paired with yogurt or oatmeal are my favorite ways to enjoy them.
Total Spent: $71.31
Morgan Tarmann, Ms, RD, LDN, Registered Dietician and Contributing Wellness Writer
Morgan is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in Nutrition and Wellness from Bradley University. She currently works as a food service dietitian in a university setting assisting students with their individual dietary needs. As a Contributing Wellness Writer, she works to provide relatable, evidence-based pieces to readers that are both educational and engaging.
Feature graphic images credited to: ALDI, Lembergvector | Adobe Stock