High-Protein Foods at Aldi: The Best Easy and Affordable Finds
Why Aldi Is a Hidden Gem for High-Protein Foods
If you’ve never stepped foot in an Aldi, you’re missing out on A LOT of really great options, especially if you’re looking for easy-to-track foods and ones that are high in protein. If you do have an Aldi near you and you’re looking for convenience, affordability, and an easy shopping experience, I hope this article can make a new grocery store feel a little less overwhelming.
Why Protein Matters for Weight Loss, Muscle Gain, and Health
Protein is more than just a building block for muscles…
It’s the macronutrient that supports nearly every system in your body. It helps repair and grow lean tissue, supports your immune system, and plays a protective role when you’re eating in a calorie deficit so you’re losing mostly fat instead of valuable muscle.
Protein is also highly satisfying; meals high in protein keep you fuller longer and help reduce those between-meal snack attacks. On top of that, digesting protein actually burns more calories than breaking down carbs or fats, thanks to its high thermic effect. Put simply: whether your goal is fat loss, muscle gain, or simply feeling healthier day-to-day, prioritizing protein makes a huge difference.
Now, it is next to impossible to list EVERY item that will have protein at Aldi. But this guide aims to help you make informed decisions supporting your goals while also giving you a little cheat sheet for what to look for in the store. [Disclaimer: this list is by no means an exhaustive list].
How Much Protein Counts as “High Protein”?
A food item is considered high in protein if it has a significant amount of protein relative to its calorie content. Generally, look for the protein source as the "main event" in the food title. However, with a lot of recent food marketing, this may not always be the case, but it's a good rule of thumb.
The items that we’ve chosen for our list are ones that have at least 30% of calories from protein (most are 40% +) and are all items that support efficient meal prep and/or make it easy to get in a higher protein snack without a lot of prep or thought.
Best Ready-to-Eat Protein Options at Aldi
COOKED PROTEINS | These can be found near the produce section and are a really wonderful way to have yummy, cooked proteins on hand for the week. You could grab a couple of different ones for different meals throughout the week by adding in frozen steamable veggies, making tacos or burritos, or adding to a stir-fry dish.
Kevin’s Brand Orange Chicken: 20gP / 2.5F / 12C = 150 calories per serving
Aldi Brand Prepared Proteins:
Sirloin Steak Tips: 21P / 4F / 4C = 140 calories per serving
Thai Coconut Chicken: 23P / 9F / 15C = 230 calories per serving
Hawaiian Style Chicken: 17P / 3F / 27C = 200 calories per serving
Pork Carnitas: 15P / 6F / 2C = 120 calories per serving
Meatless Meatballs (frozen): 14P / 11F / 6C = 170 calories per serving (6 meatballs)
Easy Aldi Freezer Meals for Busy Nights
FROZEN MEALS | These meals are a great option for an easy freezer meal for busy nights or an easy lunch option! It’s the only one on our list that doesn’t meet the 30% protein mark, so to increase the protein content of this meal, simply add additional chicken (frozen grilled chicken, meal prepped chicken, canned chicken) to hit the 30-40% range of protein to overall calories.
South Western Style Chicken and Quinoa Bowl: 16P / 6F / 53C = 320 calories per bowl
Mediterranean Style Chicken and Quinoa Bowl: 17P / 7F / 53C = 330 calories per bowl
Best High-Protein Snacks to Buy at Aldi
CAN’T MISS SNACKS | These snacks aren’t necessarily things you can’t find anywhere else, however, Aldi has some great options of similar favorites at really affordable prices! They also carry favorite brands like Chomps sticks, Laughing Cow Cheese and Egg Life wraps.
Teriyaki Jerky: 25P / 2.5F/ 15C = 200 calories (for the whole bag!)
Original Jerky: 28P / 4F / 10C = 200 calories (for the whole bag!)
Elevation Protein Bar (a great GF option): 18P / 10F / 24C = 240 calories per bar
Elevation Protein Shake: 30P / 3F / 4C = 160 calories
My Go-To Aldi Protein Find: L’Oven Fresh Wraps
MY PERSONAL FAVORITE ALDI FIND | These tortilla wraps are the best I’ve found so far (and I’ve tried a lot as a plant based eater!) that are high in protein AND have macro-friendly nutrition. They’re also a great size (not soft taco size, but actual tortilla size) and freeze really well for later use. They come in original flavor and red pepper hummus, which is my favorite!
L’Oven Fresh Tortilla Wraps: 12P/ 3F/ 17C = 120 calories per wrap
Other High-Protein Staples You Can Grab at Aldi
HONORABLE MENTIONS | We obviously didn’t list every single high-protein item that Aldi offers on our list because they are a normal grocery store also offering your usual staple protein items, like meat (they have great organic options), seafood, eggs and egg whites (they have the best price on egg whites of anywhere I’ve found), yogurt, ultra-filtered milk, cheese, etc.
If you haven’t ever been to an Aldi and you have one near you, it would be worth a visit to check out some of these great higher protein options for making easy meals, higher protein macro-friendly snacks and all at an affordable price!
More of a Trader Joe’s person?
We’ve got you! Check out these 30 Top High-Protein Items at Trader Joe's.
protein faq
Why is protein important for weight loss?
Protein helps preserve lean muscle while you’re in a calorie deficit, so that you are prioritizing fat loss, not just weight loss. It also keeps you full and satisfied, which makes it easier to stick consistently to a calorie deficit.
Does eating more protein automatically build muscle?
Not by itself! Muscle growth requires both adequate protein and strength training. Think of protein as the raw building material your body uses, and exercise as the signal telling your body to put that material to work.
How much protein should I eat each day?
A good general range for most active adults is around 1.6–2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight (or about 0.7–1 gram per pound). Your exact needs can vary based on age, activity level, and goals and you can get into the specifics of your protein needs here.
What are the best sources of protein?
Options include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, and dairy. Plant-based eaters can lean on beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and seitan. Mixing plant sources helps cover the full spectrum of essential amino acids (i.e. ensures you’re eating complete proteins).
Building high protein grocery lists is one thing; learning how to fuel your goals without stress or overwhelm is another. We are experienced coaches who love nothing more than helping our clients find a sustainable approach to nutrition that allows them to work towards their goals without white-knuckling their way through yo-yo diets. Learn more about our KLN team!