Costco’s smoothie selection offers customers nutrient-rich blended drinks using various fruit and vegetable combinations. With the rising popularity of plant-based diets and dairy allergies, an important question for many shoppers is: Are Costco smoothies dairy free? The quick answer is that standard Costco smoothies are not dairy free, as they contain yogurt or ice cream as a key ingredient. However, Costco does offer dairy-free smoothie options, containing plant-based yogurt alternatives instead. Keep reading for an in-depth look at the ingredients and nutritional information of Costco’s smoothie offerings.
Overview of Costco Smoothie Selection
Costco offers a wide variety of smoothie options at its food courts and freezer sections. Here is a brief overview of some of their most popular smoothies:
Food Court Smoothies
The Costco food court allows customers to customize their own smoothie creation. Some of the base options include:
- Strawberry Banana
- Mixed Berry
- Mango Pineapple
- Peach Pear
Customers can then select add-ins like whey protein, yogurt, granola, and chocolate chips.
Kirkland Signature Smoothies
In the freezer section, Costco sells pre-made smoothies under their Kirkland Signature brand. Flavors include:
- Berry Blend – Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
- Tropical Blend – Mango, pineapple, and passionfruit.
- Green Blend – Kale, spinach, pineapple, mango, and banana.
- Protein Shake – Cocoa powder, milk protein concentrates, Greek yogurt, and probiotics.
Aloha Smoothies
Costco also carries a selection of Aloha brand pre-made smoothies featuring Hawaiian flavors like pineapple, mango, and coconut.
Are the Standard Smoothies Dairy Free?
The quick answer is no – most regular Costco smoothies are not dairy free due to containing yogurt, ice cream or milk ingredients.
For example, the ingredient lists for Costco’s food court fruit smoothies reveal they are blended with fat free vanilla yogurt. The protein shake smoothie contains milk protein concentrates and Greek yogurt.
The pre-made Kirkland Signature smoothies also contain dairy ingredients like milk and yogurt. The Protein Shake smoothie has milk protein concentrates, Greek yogurt powder, and lactose. The Berry, Tropical, and Green smoothie blends contain yogurt powder.
So if you have a milk allergy or dairy sensitivity, the standard Costco smoothies should typically be avoided.
Does Costco Offer Non-Dairy and Vegan Smoothie Options?
The good news is Costco does provide some dairy-free and vegan smoothie alternatives:
Custom Food Court Smoothies
When customizing a food court smoothie, you can ask for non-dairy yogurt substitutes like:
- Soy yogurt
- Almond milk yogurt
- Coconut milk yogurt
This allows you to create a dairy-free smoothie bowl by pairing the plant-based yogurt with your choice of fruit and other fixings.
Naked Smoothies
In the refrigerated health drink section, Costco sells a variety of Naked Juice Green Machine smoothies. These are 100% vegan and dairy free, made from apple juice, kale, parsley, broccoli, cucumber, and lemon.
Evolution Fresh Cold Pressed Juices
You can also find Evolution Fresh brand cold pressed, HPP treated juices at Costco. These are 100% vegan and dairy-free smoothies made from pure vegetable and fruit juices. Flavors include Sweet Greens, Berry Green, and Orange Pineapple.
So while Costco’s standard smoothie options contain dairy, they do offer plant-based and non-dairy smoothies for those avoiding milk products. Just look for the dairy-free designations on labels or customize a food court smoothie with non-dairy yogurt.
Nutritional Profile of Costco Smoothies
Here is a nutritional comparison of Costco’s dairy and non-dairy smoothies:
Dairy-Based Smoothies
| Smoothie | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Mixed Berry | 210 | 5g | 2g | 44g |
| Kirkland Tropical | 260 | 5g | 2.5g | 58g |
| Kirkland Protein Shake | 220 | 15g | 3.5g | 36g |
Non-Dairy Smoothies
| Smoothie | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naked Green Machine | 140 | 2g | 0g | 33g |
| Evolution Orange Pineapple | 210 | 2g | 0g | 48g |
As shown, the dairy-free smoothies tend to be lower in protein and fat compared to the dairy-based options, since they do not contain yogurt or milk. However, the carb content is similar.
So if you require higher protein, the Kirkland protein shake smoothie is a good choice at 15g per serving. But the dairy-free smoothies can provide a lighter nutrient profile focused on natural fruit and vegetable juices.
Cost Analysis of Costco Smoothies
Here is a cost comparison between some top selling Costco smoothies:
| Smoothie | Serving Size | Price | Price Per Ounce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Mixed Berry | 11.5 oz | $4.49 | $0.39 |
| Kirkland Tropical | 11.5 oz | $4.49 | $0.39 |
| Naked Green Machine | 15.2 oz | $5.49 | $0.36 |
| Evolution Orange Pineapple | 15.2 oz | $4.99 | $0.33 |
The Kirkland smoothies come out to $0.39 per ounce, while the Naked and Evolution bottles are around $0.35 per ounce. So while the dairy-free smoothies are slightly cheaper per ounce, the prices are fairly comparable across brands.
The pre-made smoothies in 11-15 ounce bottles range from $4.49-$5.49 per package. However, custom food court smoothies let you control serving size and toppings. A 24 oz serving with 2 fruit choices costs around $4-$5.
So Costco provides budget-friendly smoothie options compared to other retailers. Factor in smoothie ingredients and portions to determine the best value for your needs.
Taste Test Reviews
Here are taste test reviews of some top-rated Costco smoothies:
Kirkland Mixed Berry Smoothie
- Thick, milkshake-like texture
- Refreshing, not too tart berry flavor
- Has satisfying creamy richness from yogurt
- Tastes homemade vs. artificial
Average Rating: 4/5 stars
Kirkland Protein Smoothie
- Very thick and indulgent mouthfeel
- Chocolately flavor with sweetness
- High protein provides filling quality
- Some find it too artificially flavored
Average Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Naked Green Machine Smoothie
- Bright, fresh green juice flavor
- Not super sweet but tasty combination
- Very smooth, drinkable texture
- One note flavor for some
Average Rating: 4/5 stars
Evolution Orange Pineapple Smoothie
- Tangy and tropical fruit flavors
- Naturally sweet but not overpowering
- Refreshing, lighter juice texture
- Allows flavors of whole fruits to shine
Average Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The dairy-based Kirkland smoothies get high marks for indulgent, milkshake-like thickness and flavor. However some find them overly sweet.
The dairy-free Naked and Evolution smoothies are praised for light, refreshing textures and letting the juices speak for themselves. The Evolution orange pineapple is a particular stand-out.
Are Costco Smoothies Healthy?
Costco’s smoothie options can provide important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Benefits of Costco smoothies may include:
- Fruit and vegetable servings – Smoothies pack produce into a drinkable form. Costco uses nutrient-rich fruits like berries, pineapple, mango, and greens.
- Probiotics – Some Costco smoothies contain probiotic yogurt or kefir that supports gut and immune health.
- Bone health – The dairy-based smoothies provide calcium and vitamin D for strong bones.
- Satisfying protein – Smoothies with milk products or protein powders offer filling protein to support muscles.
- Antioxidants – Fruit smoothies provide antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
However, some things to watch out for:
- Added sugars – Pre-made smoothies often contain added sugars like cane syrup or juice concentrates.
- Artificial ingredients – Some flavors have artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives.
- High calorie – Smoothies can pack a lot of natural and added carbs, fat, and calories into a small volume.
When consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, Costco smoothies can be a nutritious on-the-go food. But be mindful of ingredients and portions. Customizing your own smoothie bowl allows control over nutrition.
Best Practices for Consuming Costco Smoothies
Here are some tips for enjoying Costco smoothies in a healthy way:
- Check labels and choose options with no artificial additives and minimal added sugars.
- Watch your serving sizes, as pre-made smoothies contain multiple servings per bottle.
- For customized smoothie bowls, ask for light or no added sweeteners.
- Add healthy boosters like chia seeds, flaxseed, avocado, or vegetable greens.
- Combine smoothies with protein or healthy fats to balance blood sugar impact.
- Enjoy as mini-meals or snacks rather than just beverages.
- Avoid pairing with sugary foods like donuts, pastries, or cookies.
- Consume within 48 hours and store pre-made smoothies in fridge.
Focus on smoothies made from whole fruits and veggies. Balance out the natural sugars with healthy fats, fiber, and protein. And control portion sizes.
Smoothie Alternatives at Costco
In addition to smoothies, Costco offers other on-the-go drinks and foods providing nutrition benefits:
- Açaí bowls – Blends of antioxidant-rich açaí berry topped with fruits and granola.
- Fresh juices – Cold pressed juices from brands like Suja and Evolution.
- Kombucha – Probiotic kombucha tea drinks.
- Coconut water – Hydrating coconut water with electrolytes.
- Protein shakes – Premade shakes high in protein.
- Yogurt – High protein Greek yogurt cups.
- Nut butter packs – Portable almond, peanut, and sunflower seed butters.
Pair a smoothie with probiotic kombucha or coconut water for a nutrient and electrolyte boost. Or try a smoothie bowl with nut butter packs for lasting energy.
Are Costco Smoothies Worth It?
Costco smoothies can provide convenience along with important vitamins, minerals, and nutrition in a grab-and-go formulation. The relatively low cost per ounce makes them an affordable option compared to other retailers.
Customizing your own dairy-free smoothie bowl gives you control over ingredients for a potentially healthier choice. But overall, Costco’s smoothies can be a tasty and nutritious choice in moderation, by watching sugar content and portions.
The wide availability of Costco warehouse locations makes their smoothies an accessible option for many. So for a protein-packed snack or mini meal, Costco smoothies can offer quality nutrition at good value.
Conclusion
While Costco’s standard smoothies contain dairy ingredients like yogurt and ice cream, they do provide dairy-free choices by allowing plant-based customization or purchasing brands like Naked and Evolution. Read labels closely and look for non-dairy symbols to identify vegan smoothies free of milk allergens.
Costco smoothies supply important fruit and vegetable servings, protein, probiotics, antioxidants, and more. However be mindful of added sugars and artificial additives in some options. Stick to whole food ingredients and moderate portion sizes for the healthiest results.
Overall, Costco offers nutritious and affordable smoothies in both dairy and non-dairy formulations to meet a range of dietary needs and preferences. So enjoy their smoothie selections in balance with an overall healthy lifestyle.
