Affordable Ketogenic Eating
I often hear the assumption: I can’t do keto… I have a small budget, and it’s simply too expensive for me… But then I have good news! Eating keto doesn’t have to be more expensive. Just like with “regular” food, there are plenty of low-budget options with keto eating.
Keto eating is about healthy nutrients and the right balance between fat, carbohydrates, and protein, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy these products at an extra cost.
Of course, there are exceptions, such as when you want to make a lot of sweet baked goods, as some products, like erythritol, are more expensive than sugar… But if you choose to make these only for special occasions, you can easily eat keto on a low budget!
Vegetables and Fruits
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Visit the Greengrocer
Did you know that the greengrocer is often much cheaper than the supermarket? Many people think that the greengrocer is more expensive than the supermarket because it’s a specialty store. But on the contrary! Because the greengrocer specializes in fruits and vegetables, they often buy in larger quantities, which allows them to sell it for less. They also tend to have good suppliers, which ensures good quality at a nice price.
Does your town (or city) still have a weekly market?
You can often find affordable fruits and vegetables at the market. Especially if you go at the end of the day, fresh products are often available for very small prices. This is mainly for products that may have some small blemishes or the like, but if you store them in portions in the freezer at home, there’s nothing wrong with it!
Opt for seasonal vegetables and fruits. Each type of fruit and vegetable has its own season when it’s at its best. But this is also reflected in the price. So, take a look online to see which fruits and vegetables are best in which seasons and get more of them during that time.
If you have a large bag of vegetables and don’t know what to do with them, how about a delicious stew or a delightful hearty vegetable soup? Or blanch the vegetables and store them in the freezer.
Tip: You can also store ripe avocados perfectly in the freezer! Cut the avocado into cubes or slices and store them in a ziplock bag in portions in the freezer. Ideal for delicious chia puddings and smoothies!
It’s Cheaper at the Farmer’s
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Often, products like eggs, meat, and dairy (think cheese, etc.) are cheaper when purchased from local farmers. After all, you’re not paying for all the intermediate steps that need to be taken to get your product from the farm to the store. Many farmers with their own farms have a farm shop where they sell such products, and this is much cheaper than at the supermarket because there are no costs associated with things like transportation, storage, supermarket staff, etc.
Buy cheese in the form of a block and grate it yourself. Apart from saving money, this is also much healthier because there are no unnecessary additives. You can store grated cheese perfectly in a container or bag in the freezer, so you only need to take out what you need at that moment, and it will last longer.
Saving at the Supermarket
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Most towns nowadays have multiple supermarkets. I always keep an eye on the specials. Is there a good deal somewhere? Take that extra walk (it’s good for your exercise 😉) and stock up on the specials.
Make it a habit to compare products you use frequently at multiple supermarkets. It’s much easier to get all your groceries at one store, but it can really save you a lot of money if you buy the product where it’s cheapest.
Also, check if there’s a Turkish supermarket/butcher near you. Products there are often much cheaper and of better quality!
Spices and herbs are available at the supermarket, but they are much cheaper to find elsewhere! Often, the Asian grocery store has economical (often larger) packages, which are much more cost-effective.
Nuts are cheaper when bought loose
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It’s very convenient to buy a ready-made mixed nut mix. But due to that extra luxury, it’s also a bit more expensive. So, buy your nuts separately and mix them yourself, store the nuts in a nice jar. This way, you’ll save a lot more money than buying the pre-mixed nut mix. Click here to see witch nuts are best for keto.
Even more budget-friendly
Lidl almost always has a rotating offer of various types of unsalted and unroasted nuts they have in stock. Including walnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds. When they’re on sale, I always get multiple bags, then I mix them myself into a nut blend by combining different types of nuts and storing them in a sealed jar.
Aldi is also increasingly selling products suitable for keto. Think of products like chia seeds, coconut milk, cacao nibs, etc…
Extra money-saving tips
When you’ve scored a big bag of vegetables, cook a double portion and freeze it or eat the remainder the next day for lunch. This way, you always have an easy, healthy meal on hand, no product wastage, and it also saves on cooking costs (gas/electricity).
Cook with seasonal vegetables, as they are often on sale and at their best!
Have a regular leftover day and turn it into a competition if you like. See what delicious meal you can create based on what you have at home. Who knows, you might come up with a new favorite recipe 😉
Opt for bulk packaging when available, as it often saves a significant amount of money, especially for products you use frequently!