When it comes to fitness plans, the most important part is choosing one that’s right for you and your goals. Some of the most popular plans right now are Keto, Paleo, and Plant-Based, and since these programs require an overhaul of your meals, they might seem unattainable. Well…we’re here to tell you they are. We’ve gathered some tips to help you follow the Keto, Paleo, and Plant-Based diets, all on a budget.
Tips to Save on the Ketogenic Diet (aka “Keto”)
The Keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that can offer many health benefits. It involves reducing your carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat to put your body into a metabolic state called ketosis.
1. Choose your meat cuts wisely
If you are doing the Keto diet you will likely be eating a lot of meat. In order to make it affordable, it is important that you know what cuts of meat to buy. If you’re craving beef, skip the rib eye and go for the roast cut. If you want pork, choose pork shoulder roast rather than bone-in pork chops. With chicken, thighs tend to be cheaper than breasts.
2. Nonstarchy vegetables can go a long way
Nonstarchy vegetables are high in fiber and an affordable keto-friendly meal addition. Bulk up all your meals with low-carb vegetables such as kale, cauliflower, lettuce, and zucchini.
3. Incorporate black soybeans into your meal
Most beans contain too many carbs to be included in the Keto diet. Black soybeans are the exception. For only a couple dollars, ½ cup serving of these beans is only 1g of net carbs! Another option you can consider is Lupini beans, a white snacking bean. For only ¼ cup you get just 2g of net carbs.
4. Choose frozen berries over fresh
If you choose to include fruit in your Keto diet, you will need to limit the amounts, which is why you will likely turn to berries — berries are a great option, as they tend to be high in fiber and low in net carbs compared to other fruits. Fresh berries can be super pricey, which is why frozen berries are the cheaper alternative. For a fraction of the price, frozen berries won’t go bad and you can do so much with them. Whether you are adding them to a smoothie or using them to top your keto pancakes, you won’t notice the difference!
5. Opt for eggs
Get healthy fat for cheap. Eggs are known to be one of the most cost-effective foods out there, and they are Keto friendly! Hard-boiled, soft boiled, scrambled, over easy, sunny side up…there are so many ways to prepare eggs that you’ll never get bored!
Tips to Save on the Paleo Diet
The Paleo Diet is meant to resemble what human hunter-gatherer ancestors ate thousands of years ago. Although it’s impossible to really know what this looked like, researchers believe their diets consisted of whole foods. The key to this diet is to eat whole foods and avoid processed foods.
1. Buy in bulk
With most things, buying in bulk tends to save you lots of money. When key items such as meat are on sale, you can buy multiple packages and freeze what you don’t use for a later date. You can do the same with seasonal produce that you enjoy so you can have nutrient dense foods that you enjoy for a cheaper price whenever you want them.
2. Turn less into more
Make the most of your food by purchasing whole poultry. That’s right — buy a full chicken and use every last bit. A full chicken can provide you with white meat, dark meat, shredded chicken, chicken stock and cooking fat. That’s a lot of food! Poultry is not the only thing you can stretch. Buying coconut flakes or whole raw almonds gives you what you need to make nut butters, milks, and flours, all items which tend to be more expensive.
3. Buy cheaper cuts
If you’re craving beef, skip the rib eye and go for the roast cut. If you want pork, choose pork shoulder roast rather than bone-in pork chops. With chicken, thighs tend to be cheaper than breasts. If you buy any meat on the bone, save the bones to make broth!
4. Add flavor with spices
When you are prepping your meals, cut out all those fancy ingredients with high price tags and turn to your spice rack for spices and herbs to change up the flavor. The same cut of chicken can be transformed into an Indian, Mexican, or Asian dish with spices and herbs that you already have at home — you’ll never get bored.
Tips to Save on a Plant-Based Diet
A plant-based diet focuses on minimally processed foods, specifically plants, and is effective at stimulating weight loss and improving health.
1. Shop in bulk
You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again but shopping in bulk can help you save big. Shop in the bulk section for items such as whole grains, dried beans, lentils, flours, dried fruit, and nuts/seeds. You’ll have many options to base your meals around to keep things interesting.
2. Shop around
Different stores will have different prices and sales, so a great way to save money is to shop around and become familiar with your options. A great way to do this is by downloading the Flipp app and searching for the items that you are looking for to ensure you are always getting the best price.
3. Base your meals around a starch or bean
Ingredients such as potatoes, brown rice, pasta, and black beans are cheap and satisfying. They can make a great base for many meals so you can change things up without spending more than your budget allows.
4. Make big dinners to allow for leftovers
By making a little extra at dinner time, you can get multiple meals out of one dish. This allows you to buy less and utilize the ingredients that have, always leaving you with a satisfying meal (or two).
5. Don’t worry about buying organic
As nice as it would be to always buy organic ingredients, sometimes it just doesn’t fit into your budget and that’s okay. Do what you can. Non-organic ingredients can be just as good and will help you stay within your budget.
As you can see, dieting can be affordable by following these tips. Make 2021 the year of YOU and do what makes you happy. Don’t forget to use the Flipp App as a great way to find the best deals and the lowest prices on all your shopping and planning needs!
Please note that the information above is for educational purposes only, and we advise you to speak to your doctor before adopting any of the diets listed above.