I'm a dietitian - here are the 10 health-boosting products from Costco that I stock up on

It can be difficult to know what to select from the rows of aisles at the big-box store Costco, with thousands of products piled high.

Luckily, Lauren Manaker a registered dietitian based in Charleston, South Carolina, has recommendations for how to shop the store with health in mind, buying products that fit the Mediterranean diet - foods associated with weight loss, heart health and longevity.

The diet plan isn't about eating a set number of calories per day or avoiding certain foods. Instead, it's about striking an ideal balance between fresh produce, lean meats, whole grains and fats. 

It even allows, in moderation, for foods typically disallowed by traditional diets, like sweets and wine, which make it an easier meal plan to shop for.

However,  Ms Manaker knows a lack of guidance and the overwhelming nature of grocery stores can make for a difficult shopping trip. So she revealed all her favorite finds from bulk-supplier Costco. 

The latest iteration of the Mediterranean Diet pyramid was released in 2009 and incorporated the use of regional herbs and spices 'because they give regional identity to different dishes,' Sara Baer-Sinnott told DailyMail.com 

'Costco isn't my go-to spot for all my staples. But there are some products I'm excited to toss in my grocery cart to help me eat seasonally, especially when spring rolls around,' Ms Manaker wrote for Business Insider.

To start, Ms Manaker recommended buying specific produce from Costco, including avocados, asparagus and grapes.

Asparagus are particularly good to buy in the spring, when the food is in season. She said it makes a good addition to frittata and chilled soups, and does well as a standalone side dish.  

Next, Ms Manaker recommended Costco's burrata and olive oil, a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet.

Olive oil contains 'healthy fats,' otherwise known as unsaturated fats. These nutrients lower your risk of developing heart disease and are part of an overall healthy diet, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 

When shopping for protein at Costco, Ms Manaker tends to go for lean options, like fish. 

In particular, she said she prefers the sous-vide seared salmon from Cuisine Solutions' because it is an easy and healthy option for busy weeknights. 

Plus, it tastes 'divine' the dietitian added. 

Salmon, and other seafood like mackerel, shrimp and clams, are popular items in the Mediterranean diet, which asks its followers to forego fatty-meats like beef and pork in favor of leaner meats, like fish. 

Next, since 'whole grains are a must on the Mediterranean diet,' Ms Manaker said she likes to shop for products like granola. 

One Costco brand she prefers is One Degree. The product isn't packed with added sugars, a common problem with many other granola brands. 

One Degree's quinoa cacao granola, for example, contains 6 grams of added sugar per serving. 

That's one-third less sugar found in other brands, like Kirkland signature's Ancient Grain granola, which has 9 grams of sugar per serving. 

Another whole grain product Ms Manaker grabs from Costco is Dave's killer bread.

She uses it to make a vegetarian sandwich with hummus at lunchtime. Since they're sold in packs of two, she recommends freezing one to preserve it's freshness. 

Finally, her Costco trip includes some trips down the sweets aisle. 

First, she recommended Veggie Made Great's chocolate raspberry muffins. 

They're made with zucchini and beets, which Ms Manaker enjoys because it allows her to 'sneak some veggies' into her family's diet.

For desert, she likes to pick up dark chocolate peanut butter cups, and recommends the brand Skinny Dipped. 

She said their product is low in added sugar and other processed ingredients, keeping it more in line with her diet focus. 

While the Mediterranean diet encourages healthy eating, Ms Manaker added it's nice the nutrition guidelines still allow followers to indulge their sugar cravings every once in a while: 'I love that the Mediterranean diet allows for sweets in moderation.'