Tips for the Thrifty Dieter
If you have been to the grocery store lately then you have felt the sting of inflation, and if you stick to a keto diet, then you may have felt that pain a little more acutely! The price of ground beef is up 13% and the price of bacon is up 17%. These are staples in the keto diet! The price of food is wild, and it doesn’t look like it is going to get better any time soon. How then can we stick to our proverbial keto guns and remain with our budgets? I put together a few budget-saving tips for the thrifty dieter.
- Minimize Food Waste: The average household throws out around $1,500 worth of food per year! Bacon is expensive right now but being able to enjoy bacon is one of the perks of the keto way of life. One pocket padding strategy is to save your bacon grease in an air-tight container in the fridge to use for cooking oil. Also, consider buying frozen food that won’t spoil as quickly, freeze fresh produce and meats before they can go bad, and try your hand at pickling. Pickles make a great keto snack. You can check out my favorite Quick Pickle recipe here!
- Meal Prep, Meal Prep, Meal Prep: Planning out your meals and sticking to the plan can cut down on food waste, but it can also save you time. By planning out your grocery lists and recipes and sticking to them you are less likely to succumb to impulsive purchasing while at the store.
- Find other Fat Sources: Keto is all about getting lots of healthy fats, but if the price of meat is soaring, consider looking at other sources of fat. Nutrient-dense choices like avocados, nuts, flaxseed, almond butter, and peanut butter are all options that can help you squeeze enough healthy fat into your diet. Eggs are another thrifty substitute for meat, and they are an often overlooked, and versatile menu staple.
- Avoid Heavily Processed Keto Products: Prepackaged, highly processed foods are going to put a dent in your budget. These grocery items are also likely not the healthiest options. Focusing on whole foods will cost less and be healthier in the long run.
- Pad your Plate with Veggies: The unsung heroes of the keto diet are the many lower-carb veggies that you can and should include in your diet. You will have to limit them so that you aren’t exceeding your daily carbohydrate consumption. As long as you consume sparingly, spinach, kale, cauliflower, and spaghetti squash are a few carb-conscious veggies that can help you come in under budget. Check out our recipe for Creamy Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff on Spaghetti Squash here!
Eating keto is a commitment. It can involve a learning curve and it can seem overwhelming at first, but it does not have to break the bank. By sticking to a meal plan, committing to eating those leftovers, making thrifty swaps at the grocery store, and reducing food waste at home, hopefully, we can beat inflation on the keto diet!
