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How to Eat Keto on a Budget: 10 Money-Saving Tips and Meal Ideas

How can you follow a ketogenic diet without breaking the bank. What are the best budget-friendly keto foods to buy. Which strategies help reduce costs while maintaining nutritional ketosis. Discover practical tips for affordable keto eating.

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Understanding the Basics of a Budget-Friendly Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet, known for its high-fat, low-carb approach, has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. However, many people worry that adhering to this diet might strain their wallets. Is it possible to maintain ketosis without emptying your bank account? Absolutely. With careful planning and smart shopping, you can enjoy the benefits of a keto lifestyle while keeping your expenses in check.

A budget-friendly keto diet focuses on affordable, nutrient-dense foods that align with the macronutrient ratios required for ketosis. This means prioritizing inexpensive sources of healthy fats, moderate protein, and low-carb vegetables. By understanding which foods offer the best nutritional bang for your buck, you can create a sustainable and economical keto meal plan.

Essential Tips for Keto Budgeting Success

Implementing a few key strategies can significantly reduce your keto grocery bill without compromising on nutrition. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate keto on a budget:

  • Plan your meals in advance to avoid impulse purchases
  • Buy in bulk when it makes sense for your household
  • Choose cheaper cuts of meat and less expensive produce
  • Take advantage of sales and discounts on keto-friendly items
  • Prepare meals in batches to save time and money
  • Utilize leftovers creatively to minimize food waste

By incorporating these practices into your routine, you’ll find that maintaining a keto diet becomes much more affordable. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to both your health goals and your budget.

Budget-Friendly Keto Protein Sources

Protein is an essential component of the keto diet, but it can also be one of the most expensive. How can you meet your protein needs without overspending? Focus on these cost-effective options:

  • Eggs: Versatile, nutritious, and often on sale
  • Canned fish: Sardines, tuna, and mackerel offer omega-3s at a low price
  • Chicken thighs: More flavorful and cheaper than breast meat
  • Ground beef: Look for sales on bulk packages
  • Pork cuts: Options like pork shoulder or loin can be very affordable

When shopping for meats, don’t shy away from less popular cuts. They often provide excellent nutrition at a fraction of the cost of premium cuts. Learning to cook these cheaper options can expand your culinary skills while keeping your budget intact.

Maximizing Protein Value

To get the most out of your protein purchases, consider these tips:

  1. Buy whole chickens and learn to break them down yourself
  2. Use bones from meat cuts to make nutrient-rich bone broth
  3. Incorporate organ meats, which are often cheaper and highly nutritious
  4. Explore plant-based protein sources like tofu or tempeh for variety

Affordable Keto-Friendly Fats and Oils

Healthy fats are the cornerstone of a ketogenic diet, but some sources can be quite expensive. Which fats should you prioritize for a budget-friendly keto approach? Consider these options:

  • Butter: Often on sale and versatile in cooking
  • Coconut oil: Buy in bulk for long-term savings
  • Olive oil: Look for less expensive brands that are still 100% olive oil
  • Avocados: Purchase when in season or on sale
  • Nuts and seeds: Buy in bulk and store properly to extend shelf life

Remember that while some premium oils like MCT oil or specialty nut oils can be beneficial, they’re not essential for a successful keto diet. Focus on more affordable options that still provide the necessary healthy fats to maintain ketosis.

Stretching Your Fat Budget

To make the most of your fat purchases:

  1. Render and save bacon fat for cooking
  2. Make your own mayonnaise with affordable oils
  3. Use cheaper cuts of fatty meat instead of lean cuts with added oils
  4. Incorporate egg yolks as a natural fat source in recipes

Low-Cost, Low-Carb Vegetables for Keto

Vegetables are crucial for obtaining micronutrients on a keto diet, but some can be pricier than others. Which veggies offer the best nutritional value without breaking the bank? Focus on these affordable options:

  • Cabbage: Versatile and long-lasting
  • Cauliflower: Can replace rice or potatoes in many dishes
  • Zucchini: Inexpensive and great for noodle substitutes
  • Spinach: Nutrient-dense and often available in bulk
  • Broccoli: Filling and frequently on sale

These vegetables are not only budget-friendly but also highly versatile in keto cooking. Learning to prepare them in various ways can add variety to your meals without increasing costs.

Maximizing Vegetable Value

To get the most out of your vegetable purchases:

  1. Buy seasonal produce when it’s most affordable
  2. Consider frozen vegetables, which can be cheaper and last longer
  3. Use the entire vegetable, including stems and leaves when edible
  4. Regrow vegetable scraps like green onions or lettuce bases

Smart Shopping Strategies for Keto on a Budget

Implementing smart shopping strategies can significantly reduce your keto grocery expenses. How can you shop more efficiently and economically? Consider these tactics:

  • Compare prices across different stores and online retailers
  • Use cashback apps and loyalty programs to earn rewards on purchases
  • Check store flyers for weekly specials on keto-friendly items
  • Consider joining a wholesale club for bulk purchases
  • Explore local farmers’ markets for fresh, seasonal produce

By combining these strategies with careful meal planning, you can dramatically reduce your keto food costs. Remember that consistency in your shopping habits can lead to substantial savings over time.

Leveraging Technology for Savings

In today’s digital age, technology can be a powerful ally in your quest for budget-friendly keto shopping:

  1. Use price comparison apps to find the best deals
  2. Set up price alerts for your favorite keto staples
  3. Explore online bulk-buying options for shelf-stable items
  4. Utilize digital coupons and promo codes for additional savings

Meal Prep and Batch Cooking for Cost-Effective Keto

One of the most effective ways to maintain a budget-friendly keto diet is through meal preparation and batch cooking. How does this approach save money? By cooking larger quantities at once, you can:

  • Take advantage of bulk pricing on ingredients
  • Reduce the temptation to buy expensive convenience foods
  • Minimize food waste by planning uses for all ingredients
  • Save time and energy costs by cooking less frequently

Meal prepping also allows you to portion out your meals, ensuring you stick to your macronutrient goals without overeating or wasting food. This level of control can lead to significant savings over time.

Effective Meal Prep Strategies

To make the most of your meal prep efforts:

  1. Choose recipes that use similar ingredients to streamline shopping
  2. Invest in quality food storage containers for proper portioning
  3. Rotate your meal plans to prevent boredom and ensure variety
  4. Freeze portions for later use to extend shelf life and reduce waste

Budget-Friendly Keto Snacks and Treats

Snacks and treats can often be the downfall of a budget-conscious keto dieter. How can you satisfy cravings without overspending? Focus on these affordable options:

  • Hard-boiled eggs: Cheap, portable, and satisfying
  • Pork rinds: An inexpensive alternative to chips
  • Homemade fat bombs: Customizable and cost-effective
  • Cheese sticks: Often available in bulk at lower prices
  • Cucumber slices with cream cheese: Refreshing and economical

By preparing your own snacks and treats, you can avoid the markup on pre-packaged keto-friendly options. This approach not only saves money but also gives you control over the ingredients and portion sizes.

DIY Keto Snack Ideas

Get creative with these homemade snack ideas:

  1. Make your own keto trail mix with bulk nuts and seeds
  2. Prepare a large batch of keto-friendly crackers using almond flour
  3. Create savory fat bombs using affordable cheeses and herbs
  4. Whip up a batch of sugar-free gelatin for a sweet, low-cost treat

By incorporating these budget-friendly strategies, meal ideas, and shopping tips into your ketogenic lifestyle, you can successfully maintain nutritional ketosis without straining your finances. Remember that consistency and planning are key to both your health goals and your budget. With time and practice, you’ll find that eating keto on a budget becomes second nature, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of this low-carb, high-fat diet while keeping your wallet happy.

Keto on a Budget: Tips, Grocery List, and Meal Plans

Any diet can be affordable or expensive depending on your food choices and spending habits. So, yes, it’s possible to do keto on a budget.

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The key is to plan ahead, know which meats and veggies cost less, and prioritize whole foods (or clean keto). This will allow you to save money while reaching your health goals at the same time.

Read on to discover how to do it, including a sample cheap keto meal plan for the week and budget-friendly keto snacks to eat.

How Do You Follow Keto on a Tight Budget?

Ketogenic diet meals focus on items like meat, eggs, poultry, seafood, non-starchy fruits and veggies, and nuts and seeds. Saving money on these items requires a more strategic approach. In other words, don’t buy something on impulse just because it’s keto-friendly!

Use these tips to stay on track with your low-carb diet without going broke.

1. Research and follow a meal plan.

One of the best reasons to do advance meal planning is that it keeps you from buying foods you won’t actually consume soon. This translates to fewer items in your shopping cart and reduced food waste.

The first step to meal planning is to know which foods are allowed on keto.

You might need to check your pantry, fridge, and freezer for keto-friendly ingredients that can still be used for your next meals before they expire. For example, herbs and spices like onion, garlic, and paprika. Leftover meat can be chopped up to make keto soups, stews, and salads.

Knowing which recipes to cook for the week is essential. You can base your recipes on what you currently have in your kitchen or research affordable keto meals online — there’s a lot to choose from!

2. Buy foods in bulk.

It makes sense to buy in bulk when you’re carefully budgeting your food expenses. Just make sure you’re shopping at wholesale stores like Costco, Walmart, and Sam’s Club. If you have extra time, you can even compare prices to save more.

However, keep in mind that you don’t have to buy everything in bulk. Choose wisely. This is where we go back to the importance of planning your meals ahead. Otherwise, you could end up buying packs and cans of items you won’t be using anytime soon.

If you need ideas of keto foods to buy in bulk, these would include frozen veggies, seasonings, nuts (in shell), and frozen meat and poultry.

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3. Prepare meals ahead of time.

When life gets busy — and you’re also trying to save money — make-ahead meals can do wonders.

By cooking large quantities of food in advance, you’ll always have a convenient low-carb meal ready. Then all you need to do is reheat a meal in the oven when it’s time for lunch or dinner.

You can maximize batch cooking by first researching recipes that call for the same ingredients, such as onions, cauliflower, or lemon juice (*). This will give you the advantage of buying these items in bulk.

Another benefit is that you’ll be less likely to order fast food (which tends to be high in carbs) since keto meals are always available at home.

4. Choose inexpensive meat cuts and produce.

Grilling ribeyes and filet mignons every night sounds great, but it’s not cost-effective.

Make sure your cheap keto grocery list includes affordable meat cuts and seafood such as ground beef, ground chicken, pork chops, chicken thighs, pork loin, tilapia, and sardines. For produce, options include broccoli, bagged spinach, green cabbage, and celery. 

Don’t forget eggs! Chicken eggs and quail eggs are great for breakfast and snack time, plus you can use them in salads and a variety of baked keto recipes. Eggs aren’t just affordable, but they’re also perfect from a nutritional standpoint — they contain essential fats, proteins, and micronutrients (*).

5. Skip grass-fed, organic, and free-range options.

While these labels indicate that your meats, eggs, and organic produce are higher in quality, they’re definitely not cheap keto foods. If you have extra cash, go ahead and buy them. But, if you’re trying to save, regular varieties are completely fine.

And just because they’re “regular”, doesn’t mean you can’t lose weight or improve your health on keto. Don’t let this mentality cause you to revert to a Standard American Diet (SAD), which promotes inflammation and disease.

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6. Look for meat that’s on sale.

Offers and discounts are everywhere if you know where and how to find them.

A lot of stores usually sell meats nearing their expiry dates (“best if used by” label) at a much cheaper price. In fact, discounts can reach as high as 20%. You may even find grass-fed meat at incredibly low rates.

In addition, check company websites, flyers, and meat packages for coupons.

Keep in mind that it’s probably best to cook (advance meal prep) these discounted meats as close to their “best if used by” date as possible to take advantage of their rich flavor. Otherwise, keep them in sealed containers and freeze them as soon as you get home.

7. Chop them yourself!

It’s a lot cheaper to cut or grind your own meat at home than to get pre-sliced meats since processing the meat adds to the cost.

Although the latter is more convenient in terms of saving time, buying a whole animal or partial animal is economical — especially if you follow a keto carnivore diet or cook for a large family that eats meat.

Aside from being able to enjoy various cuts and benefiting from their different nutrient profiles, you’ll also consume their organs (liver, for example), which are highly nutritious. This is great for keto dieters who follow a nose-to-tail approach.

Helpful tip: Make sure you have the necessary tools to butcher your own meat, such as a grinder, steak knife, and boning knife.

8. Stock up on frozen veggies and fruits.

Compared to fresh produce, frozen veggies and fruits are more wallet-friendly, plus they take longer to spoil.

Great low-carb veggies include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower rice, and green beans. You can steam them, saute them with leftover meat, and enjoy them as a side dish.

On the other hand, go for frozen fruits like blueberries and strawberries. Like frozen veggies, they’re more affordable keto foods than their fresh counterparts. You can use them in a variety of smoothies, popsicles, and other low-carb desserts. Or feel free to put them on your Perfect Keto cereal as toppings!

9. Forget processed foods.

Cutting out processed foods (or eating less of them) can help you grocery shop faster while reducing your shopping expenses. And more importantly, it gets you to eat healthier.

Consider making your keto snacks, dips, and dressings from scratch instead. There are tons of easy recipes that will show you how to make keto chips, energy balls, fat bombs, pancakes, and cookies.

10. Stick to your shopping list.

Without a clear list to base your foods on, there’s a huge chance you’ll buy more than what you’ve planned. Impulse purchases are a real thing, so, always go to the grocery armed with a list as part of doing keto on a budget.

Speaking of a shopping list, check out the next section for helpful ideas.

Keto on a Budget Shopping List

You’ll be surprised that this cheap keto grocery list has plenty of foods to meet your nutrition needs. They’re available at discount stores like Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, and Aldi.

  • Meat/poultry/seafood: ground beef, ground pork, ground chicken, chicken thighs, eggs, tilapia, sardines, mackerel, tuna, pork chops, pork loin, pork belly, steaks (round and chuck), oxtail, organ meats (liver, tongue, tripe, gizzards)
  • Non-starchy fruits and veggies: frozen broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, green beans, cabbage, spinach, celery, fresh cucumbers, strawberries, blueberries, and other keto options you can afford
  • Plant and animal fats: nuts in shells, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocado on sale, chia seeds, butter, cheeses (cheddar, parmesan)
  • Beverages: black or plain coffee, tea, sparkling water

Sample Keto Meals on a Budget

This keto on a budget meal plan includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods that are under 30-50 grams of carbs. Plus, they’re full of protein and healthy fats.

Day 1

  • Breakfast: classic bacon and eggs, served with plain coffee
  • Lunch: meatballs made of ground beef, minced garlic, and parmesan cheese
  • Dinner: chicken egg drop soup

Day 2

  • Breakfast: bulletproof coffee (plain coffee, butter, and MCT oil)
  • Lunch: chicken bites wrapped with bacon, served with mayo or cheese
  • Dinner: baked tilapia and asparagus

Day 3

  • Breakfast: ground pork or tuna patties
  • Lunch: crispy chicken wings, served with onion rings
  • Dinner: corned beef and cauliflower has

Day 4

  • Breakfast: pancakes (made of eggs, almond flour, and cream cheese)
  • Lunch: beef-stuffed cabbage rolls
  • Dinner: pork chops with garlic cream sauce

Day 5

  • Breakfast: nut butter smoothie topped with crushed almonds
  • Lunch: brussels sprouts cooked in a creamy, cheesy sauce
  • Dinner: slow cooker braised oxtails (ingredients include beef broth, garlic, onion, and fish sauce)

Day 6

  • Breakfast: tuna, egg, and avocado slices
  • Lunch: sauteed ground pork, cabbage, and cauliflower rice
  • Dinner: roasted chicken and green beans

Day 7

  • Breakfast: egg cups (a mixture of eggs, bacon slices, and spinach)
  • Lunch: shredded chicken and cheese with a veggie side dish
  • Dinner: chuck steak bites, cooked in butter and garlic

Budget-Friendly Keto Snack Ideas

Here are foods you can snack on that are both low-carb and affordable. Our list includes homemade and store-bought options:

  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Cheese slices
  • Fat bombs using our SuperFat nut butter
  • Bone broth (using a variety of bones, keto veggies, and spices)
  • Pork rinds (fried in animal fat)
  • Canned tuna
  • Nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts)
  • Strawberry and avocado smoothie

Yes, You Can Do Keto Diet on a Budget

Eating delicious and healthy meals on a limited budget is absolutely possible. Don’t let budget become a barrier to following a diet that improves fat loss, physical performance, and mental health.

Use these tips to enjoy affordable keto dishes that will nourish you and your whole family. Keeping your body fit this way (along with strategies like exercise and stress management) saves you money, too, by eliminating hefty medical expenses.

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2 References

Klein L et al. Home Meal Preparation: A Powerful Medical Intervention. 2020 March 1

Godbert S et al. The Golden Egg: Nutritional Value, Bioactivities, and Emerging Benefits for Human Health. 2019 March 22

Low-Carb and Keto Meals on a Budget – Diet Doctor

By ,

  1. Breakfasts
  2. Meals
  3. Sides
  4. Desserts
  5. More money-saving tips

People often think that eating low carb and keto is expensive. It doesn’t have to be. Check out our money-saving tips and budget-friendly recipes below.

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Budget-friendly breakfasts

Eggs are always a great choice for breakfast but especially when on a budget. If you want an egg-free alternative, we suggest cheese roll-ups or if you’re not too hungry, a cup of coffee or tea.

Here are 12 of our top budget-friendly breakfast recipes.

    Better health on a budget

    Improving your health doesn’t have to be costly. Try out our budget-friendly low carb or keto meal plans — and see for yourself.

    Try it today!Learn more

    Budget-friendly meals

    Keeping meals simple helps staying on budget. That doesn’t mean eating boring or bland food. How about tuna casserole, chicken wings or hamburger gratin? These dishes also make for great lunch boxes which can save you a lot of money compared to eating out.

    Here are 12 of our top budget-friendly low carb meals.

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      What’s your main health goal?

      Lose weightFeel great

      Budget-friendly sides

      When in season you can find fresh produce like cabbage, green beans, broccoli and zucchinis for next to nothing. The rest of the year we suggest saving money by opting for frozen alternatives.

      Here are 12 of our top budget-friendly side dish recipes.

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        Budget-friendly dessert

        Yes, dessert can be part of a low carb diet. It’s best to keep them for special occasions as they’re not necessary to achieve weight loss goals, but sometimes a sweet treat hits the spot and helps keep you on track.

        Here are 12 of our top budget-friendly low carb dessert recipes.

          Our #1 money-saving tip!

          Eat enough protein. When following a keto or low carb diet, your priorities should be restricting carbohydrates, eating enough protein, and adding just enough fat for flavor, satiety, and weight loss goals.

          You may be thinking, “Wait, isn’t protein usually more expensive than carbs and fat?” On average, you are probably right. But eating more protein can help keep you satiated for longer, which means you can go longer between meals. Not having to snack to keep hunger at bay is a great money-saving tip, all on its own! And if you plan in advance and buy your protein foods on sale, you can double your savings!

          Want to learn more? Check out our guides on how much protein you should eat.

          If you want to take it one step further you could potentially combine your healthy low carb diet with intermittent fasting (skipping meals) which will not only save you money but will also boost fat loss among other health benefits.

          More money-saving tips

          1. Keep it simple. The fewer ingredients you need, the less money you’ll spend. Our keto cheese omelet will cost around $3 on average. Compare that to a Big Mac that costs over $5 on average in 2020.
          2. Choose cheaper cuts. Ground meat and chicken thighs are typically cheaper than steak and chicken breast. Or better yet, buy a whole chicken and to cut it into pieces. You can even use the carcass to make chicken broth.
          3. Buy seasonal. Use fresh vegetables when they are in season, buy frozen the rest of the year.
          4. Look for deals. Stock up on sale items that you can freeze as well as non-perishable items.

          No time to cook?
          No problem!

          We understand how precious your time is. With personalized meal plans, we do the planning for you. All you have to focus on is simple cooking and enjoying delicious food.

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          Top 10 Keto Diet Tips on a Budget

          Do you think keto on a budget is impossible? Give it one more spin. Eating one high quality ketogenic diet without breaking your bank account is possible even if you’re on a tight budget. It just takes a little extra planning and judicious use of available resources.

          After the initial investment in a kitchen cabinet overhaul, you’ll probably end up saving money on a low-carb diet.

          This post will give you tips on how to get keto on a budget, including ways to save money (both short term and long term) and how to calculate your ROI.

          Table of contents

          10 Tips for Making the Most of the Ketogenic Diet on a Budget

          With a limited keto diet budget, these helpful tips will help you stay on track with both your meal plan and your finances.0003

          1. Buy in Bulk

          When you’re trying to save money on groceries, buying in bulk can make a big difference. It’s tempting to shop at Whole Foods or even your average local grocery store, but you won’t find the bargain prices you can find at bulk stores like Costco, Walmart, or Sam’s Club.

          Other shops available include Aldi and Trader Joe’s (both share the same owner as a result). Finally, look for butchers and vegetables at local farmers’ markets, which may look different but are often cheaper than department stores.

          When you find a good deal, take it. Meat and seafood can hit your bill, so if you find meat or seafood on sale, buy more than you need and freeze what you don’t use.

          Buy several bags of frozen vegetables and put them away. While you may prefer the taste of fresh produce, frozen vegetables are in most cases much more affordable and make for a great dinner even when the fridge and cabinets are empty (roasting while stirring is welcome) and preventing food waste.

          To save time, download and print the complete shopping guide. keto. Everything you need for a keto diet is already on this list.

          2: Cook in bulk and freeze leftovers

          If you already buy food in bulk, cook in bulk. Batch cooking is a great way to make sure you always have snacks at home. This not only saves you money but also saves you time.

          Choose one day a week for cooking. Sunday is fine for most people, but it could be a different day depending on your schedule. Shop, write down your meal plan, prepare and serve meals in easy-to-carry containers.

          If you cook more than you can eat in a week, just freeze what you don’t use. If you have space available, some people consider a freezer to be a worthwhile investment. This allows you to pre-prepare portioned foods and store those inexpensive items that you can sometimes find.

          3. Look for deals and discounts

          When shopping at the grocery store, look for deals and discounts. When meat reaches its expiration date, stores often give it discounts of up to 20%. If you are a same-day cook, this is an opportunity to find high quality grass-fed meat at incredibly low prices.

          BOGO Deals (2×1) is another common grocery store promotion. Look for bargains in the grocery and butcher departments, then browse the aisles for bargains related to pantry staples. This way, you can actually go keto on a budget, so look for deals in weekly brochures and in-store promotions.

          4. Stay on the shopping list

          Without a clear list of what you plan to buy, the probability that you will buy more than planned is 99.9%. Impulse buying is a reality. Go to a list store and only buy what’s on that list to make sure you’re on a budget.

          5.

          Use the vacuum sealer

          The vacuum sealer allows you to seal and remove air from plastic bags. By using a vacuum sealer, you can freeze food and prevent freezer burns. And… Does it have any other advantage? Certainly. Free up space in the freezer that you will need to buy and cook in bulk.

          6. Buy online

          If you can’t find deals locally, buying online can save you a huge amount of money. Amazon offers a variety of inexpensive items for nuts, almond flour, coconut flour, coconut oil, flax or chia seeds, and spices.

          They are often cheaper to buy online than in a store, even with delivery. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’ll get two-day shipping and can sign up for certain products to have them delivered to your doorstep on a regular basis.

          7. Always use available meats and products

          When it comes to fresh produce, there is a wide range of costs per kilogram/pound. Broccoli, green beans, and spinach are fairly affordable options. You can include them in almost any recipe.

          Cauliflower is usually more expensive, but its versatility pays off. Other foods, such as red peppers, avocados, or orange peppers, tend to be more expensive.

          The same can be said about meat and seafood. Is filet mignon expensive? Absolutely, so please don’t buy it. Buy affordable cuts of meat like chicken thighs, skin, ground beef, cod, and nitrate-free bacon. Eggs are affordable too, and hard boiled eggs are a great keto-friendly option.

          8. See if your grocery bill goes to drinks instead of food

          If you complain about the high cost of your food bill but still spend $5 every day on a latte (like Starbucks does) , you need to know something interesting: latte is not even a food. And if every time you visit a store you sip on a $20 bottle of wine, those items end up adding up.

          Give up expensive drinks and alcohol and switch to water. If you need caffeine, make your own coffee or tea at home and pour it into a mug. As far as alcohol is concerned, you should probably cut it out completely. as it is full of sugar in any case.

          9. Create “ingredients” from scratch

          Whenever possible, make things from scratch, such as salad dressings, sauces, flour, guacamole, dried butter, soups, and salads.

          Not only will this save you money, it will save you from taking supplements and adding sugar. There are many keto recipes including condiments, sauces and dressings that you can incorporate into your keto meal plan.

          These kitchen appliances can make cooking a lot easier:

          • Food processor or blender.
          • Pots and Pans: You don’t need anything fancy, just high quality utensils tall enough to boil and fry food every week.
          • Knife and cutting board.
          • Storage jars and containers.

          10. Always buy whole vs. sliced ​​

          Buy whole chicken instead of skinless and boneless chicken breasts. Buy whole celery instead of chopped. Buy whole almonds instead of mixed almonds. Instead of spending more money on shredded foods, take some time to cut, store, and freeze your own food.

          How to calculate the return on ketosis

          Keto doesn’t break your wallet. Don’t let worries about a limited budget distract you from prioritizing your health. Use everything you have to make this diet work for you, even if it takes a little more planning and preparation.

          In the midst of all that pinch of pennies, take a minute test right now to calculate your return on investment (ROI) from ketosis.

          Keto on a Budget: You Can Do It

          Take these 10 practical tips for doing keto on a budget, give it a month, then evaluate. How much did you spend? How do you feel? Are you more productive, do you feel stronger in training and do you feel better?

          Ask yourself: is it worth paying for health? Don’t let budget worries derail you. Many people spend their health in the first half of their lives trying to make money. Then, in the second half of life, they spend money trying to restore their health. It’s time to spend your time, energy and hard-earned money on what really matters.

          A low-carb keto diet doubles the risk of heart disease: March 6, 2023, 21:00

          ASTANA. KAZINFORM – A low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet, or “keto-like” diet, can cause high levels of “bad” cholesterol and double the risk of cardiovascular disease such as clogged arteries, heart attacks and strokes. This is stated in a new study published on CNN.

          The study, which has not been peer-reviewed, was presented Sunday at the annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology in conjunction with the World Congress of Cardiology.

          According to author Dr. Iulia Iatan of St. Paul’s Hospital and the Center for Innovative Heart and Lung Diseases at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, “Research has shown that regular dietary intake of low carbohydrate, high self-reported fat has been linked to higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — or “bad” cholesterol — and a higher risk of heart disease.

          The LCHF (low-carb, high-fat) diet is defined by scientists as a diet in which 45% of total daily calories come from fat and 25% from carbohydrates.

          “The rationale for our study came from the fact that we observed patients in our clinic following this diet who suffered from severe hypercholesterolemia,” Iatan said during a presentation at the session.

          Hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, increases the risk of heart attack or other adverse cardiovascular disease.

          “This got us thinking about the relationship between LCHF diet, lipid levels and cardiovascular disease. However, there is very little data on this relationship,” she said.

          Using data from the UK Biobank, which has been tracking people’s health for at least 10 years, the scientists compared the diets of 305 people on the LCHF diet with those of 1200 people on the standard diet.

          People on the LCHF diet were found to have higher levels of low-density lipoprotein, also known as LDL, cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B.

          Apolipoprotein B is a protein that encapsulates LDL cholesterol proteins. Apolipoprotein B is a good indicator of heart disease.

          The study also showed that those who followed the low-carb, high-fat diet had twice the intake of saturated animal fats (33%) compared to those in the control group (16%).

          “After an average of 11 years and 8 months of follow-up and after adjusting for other risk factors for heart disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking, people on a low-carb, high-carb diet fat, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as clogged arteries, heart attack, stroke and peripheral arterial disease was more than twice as high.

          The scientists said in a press release that their study “can only show an association between diet and an increased risk of serious heart disease, not a causal relationship.” This was an observational study, but their findings merit further study, “especially when roughly one in five Americans report eating a low-carb, keto-like, or full keto diet.

          73% of study participants are women. According to Dr. Iatan, “It also reinforces the notion that women are more interested in changing their lifestyle.”

          When asked if there were any groups that weren’t affected by the LCHF diet, Iatan said that it’s important to remember that each patient reacts differently.

          “We found that, on average, patients tend to have high LDL cholesterol levels,” she said.

          Most health experts say the trendy carb-free keto diet these days to force your body to burn fat excludes healthy foods like fruits, legumes, and whole grains. On the keto diet, you limit your carbohydrate intake to between 20 and 50 grams per day—the less, the better. For comparison, a medium-sized banana or apple contains about 27 g of carbohydrates, which is the daily allowance.

          “Food groups that need to be eliminated to achieve a state of ketosis are the main sources of fiber in the diet, as well as many important nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants,” states Professor Gardner.