Costco Canada's food court is favored by many families for its affordability and tasty offerings. However, dietitian Michelle Jaelin describes the food as "decidedly not health food," noting that it tends to be high in sodium. She mentioned in a 2025 interview with Yahoo Canada that while some fast food options include healthier choices, the smaller menu at Costco limits those alternatives.

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If patrons opt for popular items like the hot dogs or poutine, it’s essential to understand their nutritional content. Here are five items identified as the worst choices:

1. **All Beef or Polish Sausage Hot Dog**

- Calories: 505 (Polish sausage) / 580 (all beef)

- Total fat: 33g (Polish sausage) / 34.5g (all beef)

- Sodium: 1790mg (Polish sausage) / 1620mg (all beef)

- Protein: 21g (Polish sausage) / 23g (all beef)

Jaelin states that while hot dogs aren't health foods, toppings like onions can add some nutritional value.

2. **Pizza Slice**

- Calories: 650 (pepperoni) / 710 (cheese)

- Total fat: 24g (pepperoni) / 28g (cheese)

- Sodium: 1740mg (pepperoni) / 1780mg (cheese)

- Protein: 34g (pepperoni) / 41g (cheese)

Costco’s pizza slices are thick and indulgent, with cheese pizza having slightly more sodium than pepperoni.

3. **Chicken Strips and Fries**

- Calories: 1430

- Total fat: 85g

- Sodium: 3400mg

- Protein: 47g

Jaelin remarks on the large portion sizes, suggesting sharing to manage calorie intake.

4. **Poutine**

- Calories: 1290

- Total fat: 58g

- Sodium: 3530mg

- Protein: 26g

Jaelin advises that omitting cheese curds can help lower saturated fat.

5. **Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich**

- Calories: 630

- Total fat: 37g

- Sodium: 2080mg

- Protein: 39g

Back on the menu in mid-2025, this sandwich is high in sodium, though the accompanying pickle adds some nutrition.

When dining at Costco, Jaelin recommends considering a diet soda or mixing sugary drinks with soda water to reduce sugar intake. Although the food court isn’t known for healthy options, enjoying a hot dog or pizza on occasion can fit within a balanced diet, especially if the rest of the day includes healthier choices.

Costco's affordability is appealing, particularly with rising grocery costs. According to 2025’s Food Price Report, the average family will spend approximately $16,833.67 on groceries annually, reflecting an $801.56 increase from the previous year. At prices ranging from $1.50 for a hot dog and drink to $12.99 for an 18-inch pizza, Costco’s food court remains a budget-friendly dining option.

Ultimately, while Costco’s food may not excel in nutrition or variety, it can still have a place in a balanced diet when consumed occasionally. Jaelin emphasizes the importance of variety in diet and notes that all food can serve a purpose, including satisfying hunger.