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How Aldi Helped Me Lose Weight and Save Money
When an Aldi Supermarket opened near us, we quickly realized we could save money by shopping there. Then as we got to know the products, I realized I could save calories as well as money. This post is about how Aldi helped me lose weight and save money.
Just by Shopping There Aldi Helped Me Lose Weight
First, let me say that, as of this writing, I have lost about a dress size since shopping at Aldi. I didn’t change much of anything else in my lifestyle, except adding a stationery bike (bought at Aldi) to my usual exercise methods. And I don’t use that bike daily. See my other post about Aldi.
I haven’t felt hungry or deprived, and the weight was gradual, but it is staying off, not fluctuating, like it used to. What some refer to as a “set point” of my weight has gone down and is heading down again. I think it’s better for those 50-plus to lose weight slowly but steadily as our skin tends to lose it’s elasticity. Rapid weight loss can leave loose wrinkled skin.
I’m not slender, but it’s such a great feeling to put on last year’s summer clothes and find that they are loose. And, I can buy things a size smaller now.
Aldi helped me and can help you lose weight just by making you move more
There’s a little more physical activity to shopping at Aldi. The shopping carts are locked together and released by inserting a quarter. This encourages shoppers to return their carts to the store in order to get their quarter back. So, added steps, depending upon how far away you park. This also helps you save money as Aldi doesn’t have as much overhead as there’s less need for an employee to be paid to retrieve the carts.
You have to do your own bagging. The Aldi cashiers just place everything in a shopping cart and you bag your own groceries in the bagging area. Either bring your own bags, buy them, or pick up an empty box from a cage around the store.
Until you get the lay of the store, and sometimes afterwards, you find yourself retracing your steps to locate a product. Even if you learn where most things are, you may cruise the aisles looking for either new items or something you’ve never bought there before.
Aldi helped me lose weight and save money due to their somewhat limited selection
As Aldi limits it’s inventory to mostly store brands, and limited shelf space. You won’t find your favorite breakfast cereal, and endless choices, but you will find the basic and comparable ones, at a significant savings. As the selection is limited, you are less tempted to overbuy. Not that some of the baked goods and snacks aren’t tempting, but with less variety, the temptation is reduced.
Saving calories while enjoying snacks is easy with Aldi brands
Aldi’s Fit&Active Brand has some snacks that will satisfy your cravings for crunch without you loading up on calories. You can enjoy 17 of their about half dollar sized cheddar cheese rice snacks for a total of 170 calories. They are tasty and filling. They are popped, not fried, gluten free, and there’s no high fructose corn syrup. A six ounce bag has about 6 servings and, at this writing is $2.99. Comparable or less than a bag of higher calorie, less healthy potato chips.
Their Simply Nature non-gmo USDA organic White Cheddar Puffs of baked corn and rice, also gluten free, runs 130 calories for about a one cup serving. The package says not a low calorie food, but if you have a handful or two with a sandwich instead of chips, you are automatically eating better.
Savoritz woven wheat crackers are comparable to Triscuits. No calorie savings, but you can enjoy a similar taste for the same or less money.
Savoritz also makes a Pita Cracker in sea salt and garlic and chive varieties. You can enjoy about 11 crackers at 130 calories, and under $3.00 a box. If you like Trader Joe’s Pita Crackers, these are close. Enjoy them with hummus from Aldi’s refrigerated section. 
Saving calories while enjoying sweet snacks is also easy with Aldi brands
Simply Nature has packages of dried fruit, including strawberries, mangoes, and Fuji apples. I find that I am satisfied to have a third to half a bag as a snack. It’s $2.99, but better than pricey diet food snacks. And better for you.
If you like Greek yogurt, try Aldi’s Friendly Farms Non-Fat versions, 5.3 oz, only 59 cents each, the summer of 2022.
Seasonal fruit, like strawberries and blueberries, have been $1.79 a quart, and under $2 for a pint of blueberries. Green seedless grapes have been comparable, or less than other local supermarkets.
Aldi Cookie Thins also helped me lose weight and save money
If you are like me, and like to have a little something with your coffee or tea break, check out Aldi Cookie Thins. So far I have bought and tried Lemon, Key Lime, and Toasted Coconut. At 140 or 150 calories for 6 cookies, you can satisfy your cravings for less calories and money.
The Toasted Coconut have no hydrogenated oil, no artificial ingredients, real toasted coconut, and no corn syrup. The lemon cookie thins also have no hydrogenated oil, no corn syrup, and, no artificial flavors or preservatives. So, tasty, crunchy, sweet, but without many of the bad things in many store-bought cookies. They are about the size of a half-dollar. I break them in half to have the portion last longer.
I will update this post with more Aldi products periodically.
Do you like shopping at Aldi? What products do you like?
Leave comments below.
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