What does a Personal Trainer buy at ALDI?
/My Mom is obsessed with ALDI.
My sister’s finance is obsessed with ALDI.
I have clients that are obsessed with ALDI.
In fact… a LOT of people are obsessed with ALDI. I find that the middle ground is murky when it comes to ALDI. People either love it, or they (think) they hate it.
At this point in my life, I land a little more towards the middle. I used to be way more obsessed, but things change a bit when you have tiny humans in your life.
So I’ll start with the cons:
They don’t have everything
What they do have can change from week to week
They generally only have one or maybe two choices when it comes to most items
That being said, those same things can be considered pros as well. Since they don’t have tons of selection of the same item not only is the store smaller and easier to get in and out quick, but you won’t get trapped in “which brand do I buy” land.
The biggest drawback for me is since they don’t have everything, it’s not a one stop shop. Before tiny humans, that was fine. I could make it my first stop and then hit the other grocery store(s) as needed. But now between time and getting said tiny human(s) in and out of car seats, it’s easier to go to a store than I know I can get everything I need in one stop.
But I still go to ALDI.
If I have the time and/or ability I still go to ALDI, and there are certain things that I will make a special plan to stop at ALDI when I need them or I know I’m running low.
Since my Costco list was a hit, I’ve also been asked to provide an ALDI list. Below are some of the things I purchase, or have purchased regularly in the past.
ALDI BUYS (a non-exhaustive list)
Avocados
Organic Greens: That big spring mix box is a steal! Costco and Aldi are the best places to get this
Organic Fruits and Veggies: ALDI is starting to carry more and more organics, I always check the produce for quality and price when I’m in the store. Sometimes you can get a good deal, but I generally skip most of their produce when looking at quality and price
Salsa: I love the Simply Nature Organic Thick & Chunky Salsa
Beans: They’ve generally got a good selection of organics, but either way; black beans, garbanzo beans, northern white beans, etc. This is where I keep my pantry stocked up in the bean category!
Canned Tomatoes
Diced Green Chilies
Spices: Just like at a regular grocery store, they have a couple of quality options (for some spices, anyway). I’ll buy the Simply Nature in the glass jars but fair warning, they don’t have many choices.
Almond Extract: I love using almond in my baking, and it’s a staple in my Freezer Muffins
Other Baking Items: Powdered sugar, sliced almonds, granulated sugar, brown sugar… this is a great place to get your holiday and/or birthday baking items (if you do that…)
Oils: Organic Coconut Oil for the win. Also, check out the price on the Extra Virgin Olive Oil as well, though if Costco has it in a glass container, that’s generally a better buy if you use a lot like I do
Dark Chocolate: I particularly like the Moser Roth Chili as well as the Sea Salt varieties. Yum.
Grass-Fed Ground Beef
Wild Caught Frozen Shrimp: I buy MULTIPLE bags of these at a time. I will go out of my way to go to ALDI when I need to stock up
Smaller bags of Organic Frozen Fruits and Veggies: Costco is my go-to, but these are great for smaller amounts or if I haven’t made it to Costco recently
Here Today Gone Tomorrow groceries: I like to look through this section for deals. I generally skip the overly processed package stuff, but if you’re looking for a spiral cut ham for the holidays or something else of that nature, you may be surprised by the amazing deals you can find. Just… pick them up when you see them, they’re not joking about the “gone tomorrow” part!
Seasonal Items: If you have the time, check out this section. I’ve found some steals for everything like silicone baking mats to
This is definitely a non-exhaustive list as I don’t shop as regularly at ALDI anymore. Not only that- but if you have the time to look around a bit, there always seem to be gems and special finds. (As I mentioned in my list, check out the seasonal and here today, gone tomorrow items if you can!) However, if you’ve got an ALDI that’s close by I would highly recommend that you check it out!
One final note about ALDI-that could easily frustrate a new customer is their bag, bagging, and cart situation. To get a shopping cart, you’ll need a quarter (or a one Euro coin if you’re in Europe). The quarter will be returned to you when you return the cart to the appropriate location, so you’re not actually paying to use the cart. This is actually so common in Belgium (I can’t speak for other European countries, as I don’t have the experience), that many people carry around a plastic “pog” the size of a Euro so they don’t spend it and always have something on hand for the cart.
As for the bags, you’ll need to bring your own bags or purchase them at the store. You can purchase regular paper or plastic bags right at the checkout, or bring your own from home. I always use reusable bags, so it’s not a problem for me. However, if it’s new to you, I highly recommend keeping the bags in your car. Once you unload the groceries either put the bags back in the car, or put them in a place where you will have to grab them the next time you go out to the car (I hang mine on the door to the garage!). You’ll also be bagging your own groceries, so don’t be surprised when you’ve got a cart of un-bagged groceries when you finish paying. There’s an area just past the checkout where you can do your bagging. However, just like at a warehouse store (like Costco!), you can sometimes get boxes if you need a little something extra to contain your groceries.
So there you are you. These are the things I look for and purchase at ALDI. There are less items on this list than there used to be since I buy more of the items I use to stock up at Costco. But it’s a store that still worth the stop (and DEFINATELY worth the stop if you don’t have a Costco to stock up at!)
What about you? Do you shop ALDI? If so, any favorite finds that I’ve missed?
BONUS RESOURCES
What Does a Personal Trainer Buy at Costco?
Ham and Swiss Quiche (You can get ALL these ingredients at ALDI!)
Stocked Kitchen Checklist [Free Download!}