Cheap Keto Diet

How much did you spend on food last month?

Not sure?

How much did you spend on breakfast this morning?

Still not sure?

I spent less than $4 on my breakfast this morning, and I ate a delicious low carb, keto meal. I had eggs, bacon, and cheese, plus my preferred caffeine fix, coke zero.

For most of us, eating is a significant portion of our budget. Especially if you are on a fixed income or feeding a family of four or more. Do I buy cheap mac and cheese for less than $1, or do I buy that mashed cauliflower and ground beef for $7? Hard times make that choice even harder.

It’s important to focus on what’s most important when shopping. If your budget is so tight that you can’t afford healthier foods, never hesitate on buying cheaper options. The first goal is putting calories on the plate, the second goal is making sure they are the right calories.

So how can we do this and stay keto or low carb?

Well, first things first, keto will never be cheaper than just eating a ton of carbs. Meats, dairy, nuts, and non-starchy veggies are almost always more expensive than bread and pasta. So we have to make sure we choose the right meats, dairy, nuts, and non-starchy veggies.

Tip #1. Have a meal plan.

I can’t stress this tip enough. Knowing what you are planning to cook is the most important thing to do before you ever set foot in the grocery store. Without a meal plan it’s easy to buy the wrong cuts of meat, or spend way over budget on one meal and have less to spend on other meals.

I recommend Custom Keto Diet’s free 7 day meal plan. It’s a great way to get started meal planning, and it’s so easy to use. Just click the picture below and enter your email to get started.

Tip #2. Buy in bulk whenever you can afford it.

Buying in bulk is the number one way to save on meat. Whenever you can afford to, buy more meat than you need and freeze the rest. This works especially well when you buy meat on the use or freeze by date. That’s the last day that stores can safely sell that cut of meat, so they’ll often discount the meat even further to make sure it sells. Just make sure you use it or freeze it that day so you don’t end up throwing away your food and money.

Tip #3. Buy cheaper cuts of meat.

Certain cuts of meat are more expensive than others. Sirloin is generally cheaper than ribeye, and tenderloin is often the most expensive. It’s alright to look for cheaper cuts of meat first.

Cuts like Top Round Steak, Top Round Roast, Sirloin Tip Steak, Eye of Round Steak, and Bottom Round are generally going to be your cheapest cuts. They are often tougher than cuts like New York Strip, but can easily be cooked in ways that tenderize the meat more. Slow cooking a Top Round Roast is a great way to take advantage of a cheaper cut.

Tip#4. Buy ground meat instead of cuts.

Ground meat is often the cheapest way to buy meat. When you pair it with buying in bulk, you can get some great savings and still keep meat on the plate. A well seasoned hamburger steak can be an excellent way to keep beef in the diet and save some cash.

Tip #5. Buy chicken, turkey, or pork.

Chicken, turkey, and pork are all cheaper animals to raise than beef, so they are often cheaper to buy as well. Chicken thighs are a great way to save some money and stay keto or low carb. If you know how to cut apart a whole chicken, that’s an excellent way to save on meat.

Buying cuts like pork tenderloin is a great way to save some money while eating well. Especially when you make pulled pork out of that pork tenderloin.

Tip #6. Shop at different stores.

This last tip is one of the best ways to get great deals on anything you buy at the grocery store. Most stores will price match to a competitor because they want your business. Bring in a sales circular and ask if your store will price match. Most of the time they will and it can help you save on more than just meat.