I try to follow a Mediterranean-style diet. Here are 14 things I pick up at Costco and how I use them.

• I follow a Mediterranean-inspired diet and shop at Costco for fresh and frozen staples.
• Kirkland Signature salmon fillets, frozen berry blends, and stuffed peppers are essentials for me.
• I usually stock up on organic feta, pita chips, and hummus at Costco.

When I visited Spain and Greece a few years ago, I fell in love with the gorgeous landscapes, the variety of cultures, and, of course, the incredible food.

After I returned to the US, I tried to incorporate elements of my trip into my daily life, and one way I did so was by adopting a Mediterranean-style diet.

To do so, I prioritize eating fresh produce, healthy fats, and whole grains while limiting my intake of processed foods, red meat, and refined sugars.

Fortunately, eating this way hasn’t been too difficult, especially since I have a Costco membership. At the wholesale retailer, it’s easy for me to stock up on a variety of fresh, frozen, and ready-made foods that help me stick to my diet without overspending.

Here are a few things I often get at Costco and how I use them.

I put pesto on everything, from pasta to salmon.

Pesto has become my go-to sauce for adding flavor to basic dishes because it’s endlessly versatile. I mix it into salads, pour it on salmon, and toss it with pasta and sundried tomatoes.

Kirkland Signature’s 22-ounce jar of it is the perfect size if you use pesto as often as I do.

My freezer is stocked with frozen berries for smoothies and quick breakfasts.

I keep a bag of Costco’s Kirkland Signature three-berry blend of blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries in my freezer at all times.

Berries are my fruit of choice on a daily basis, whether I’m making a sweet dessert or topping a salad with them. I also use the antioxidant-rich berries in smoothies and on oatmeal or yogurt bowls.

I stick with Greek-imported feta cheese since it doesn’t upset my stomach.

When I was in the Mediterranean, I was able to eat cheese and gelato without getting an upset stomach, something I hadn’t been able to do in over a decade in the US.

This might have to do with the varying ingredient guidelines and food standards in those countries. Now, I only buy imported cheese.

When I do, I look for the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) seal, which certifies that a food was produced in the geographic region it claims to come from.

Kirkland Signature organic feta has that seal to confirm it’s produced in Greece. The block of cheese is great to have on hand for adding protein and flavor to most dishes.

I buy produce in bulk at Costco so I can prep simple salads.

At Costco, I buy fresh produce in bulk so I never run out of fruits and veggies.

Lately, I’ve been buying a lot of cherry tomatoes and crunchy organic cucumbers to use in one of my go-to salad recipes. It pairs well with just about anything.

To make it, combine 2 cups of cherry tomatoes (halved), one cucumber (sliced in quarters), ½ cup of Greek-imported feta (crumbled or cubed), 2 tablespoons of basil pesto, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Kirkland Signature sliced peaches are always in my Costco cart.

Though I buy lots of fresh fruit, I also enjoy picking up jars of Kirkland Signature sliced peaches.

When I’m craving something sweet, I’ll snack on them straight from the reusable glass jar. I also use them as a fruity topping on yogurt or bake them into desserts.

Hummus adds fiber and flavor to so many of my dishes.

The 34-ounce tub of Kirkland Signature organic roasted-pine-nut hummus is a great value for me, since I use it on so many dishes, from sandwiches to salads.

When paired with red bell pepper or pita chips, hummus is also one of my go-to protein-rich snacks. It’s also tasty spread on toast with a sprinkle of feta cheese on top.

I always have salmon in my cart.

High in protein and omega-3s, salmon has become a star on my weekly menu. Fortunately, Costco makes it easy to have fresh and frozen options on hand for easy meals.

I usually go for the fresher salmon fillets topped with basil-pesto butter or frozen wild-caught Alaska salmon burgers. Both pair nicely with roasted veggies and a little goat cheese.

Frozen vegetables help me quickly upgrade my meals.

One of the most delicious frozen vegetable blends I’ve found is the fire-roasted bell pepper, zucchini, squash, red onions, and broccoli mix from PuraVida.

Since they’re already cooked and seasoned, the vegetables are a quick and easy way for me to have a healthy side dish in just a few minutes.

Typically, I roast them with a drizzle of olive oil and pair them with salmon or lamb.

I only eat lamb occasionally, but it feels like a treat.

I don’t eat red meat often, but lamb is my favorite. Sometimes I’ll buy a cut of it at Costco, cook some that day, and then freeze the rest for a special occasion.

Lamb works well in many Mediterranean-inspired dishes, like gyros, and eating it always takes me back to a cooking class I once took in Athens.

The Kirkland Signature lamb loin pairs especially well with couscous, grilled peaches, or a salad.

High-fiber tortillas are perfect for wraps.

I grab a pack of Olé Mexican Foods Xtreme Wellness spinach-and-herb wraps whenever I can find them at Costco.

Since I avoid most processed breads, these low-carb, high-fiber tortillas are my lunchtime staple for veggie-packed or gyro-style wraps.

They come in a pack of 16, so I usually keep half in the fridge and freeze the rest so they last longer.

I reach for pita chips when I want something crunchy but not too heavy.

Whenever I’m craving a salty, crunchy snack, I reach for Stacy’s baked pita chips and pair them with hummus.

The pita chips aren’t too heavy or greasy, and I feel full after eating a few of them. Meanwhile, I could eat a whole bag of classic potato chips in one sitting and still not be satisfied.

These chips are also great for crumbing into salads for extra texture.

On busy mornings, I grab a Happy Roots breakfast wrap.

I heat up a frozen Happy Roots wrap with spinach, feta, and egg whites whenever I’m tempted to skip breakfast on busier days.

The premade wraps have 15 grams of protein per serving and remind me of something I could get at Starbucks, except they’re way more convenient and affordable. I can get six wraps for about $16.

I eat stuffed bell peppers when I don’t have time to meal prep.

Kirkland Signature’s stuffed peppers with ground beef and rice are one of my favorite quick dinners when I’m in a rush or forgot to prepare a meal in advance.

The peppers already have fresh produce and protein, but I make them more Mediterranean-style by sprinkling them with feta as they bake.

I love having spanakopita in the freezer for a quick snack.

I keep Cuisine Adventures’ frozen spanakopita on hand because sometimes I just want to end my night with a few flaky pastries that remind me of my time in Greece.

The little spinach-and-feta pies are light, flaky, and full of flavor. Plus, they’re easy to heat up in an air fryer.

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