The Atkins diet has a lot of health benefits, but it is not a particularly cheap way to diet. Fresh meats are some of the most expensive items necessary and when you follow Atkins, you’ll need to purchase some of them. However, there are simple steps that you can take to cut costs on this low-carbohydrate plan. First of all, be creative in your meal planning. Remember that most diet books are written to entice readers to try new combinations of foods. The recipes within those books sometimes contain the most expensive ingredients. You don’t have to cook like a professional chef in order to experience the benefits of the diet. There are many simple recipes that you can make within the plan that cost much less than the ones shown in the diet books. Just modify the meal plans so you can enjoy the low carb lifestyle on a budget.
An option is to buy your meats in bulk. Stock up on large packages of ground beef, chicken and fish so you cut down on your protein costs. Separate large packages into small freezer bags and freeze them in meal-sized portions. Two to four chicken breasts in a bag are easy to defrost and make a good-sized meal. You can also cook ground beef in many different varieties and freeze the cooked portions. Try doing a portion of the meat with taco spices, another portion with hamburger spices and the third portion with Italian spices. That way you’ll be able to use lots of hamburger meat and still have variety in your diet.
Also, look at less tender cuts of meat to save on grocery costs. While fillet mignon is tasty, it doesn’t fit into every budget. Less tender cuts of beef and pork make excellent crock-pot meals, and using a slow cooker will help tenderize them.
Look to alternative protein sources like eggs and tofu. Both of these items pack a powerful protein punch for a fraction of the cost of meats. Nuts are a great protein source as well, but they can become expensive very quickly. Some recipes call for expensive nuts like cashews. Walnuts, peanuts and almonds contain just as much protein for a fraction of the cost.
Mixed vegetable salads will make a large portion of your daily Atkins meals. While it may be tempting to buy bagged salad that is already chopped, it is more expensive. Buy 2 or 3 heads of different types of lettuce for the same cost, mix them and divide into 5 or 6 bags of pre-packaged salad. Also, consider investing in a salad spinner. This handy device will make home made salads crispy and satisfying.
Be creative with your menus and use produce and meats that are on sale. If you’ve got a recipe that calls for chicken breasts and turkey happens to be on sale, go ahead and substitute. Make sure to carry a food list with you to the store so you can see whether a sale food is an okay substitution on the Atkins plan.
When you go to the store, you can also cut costs by limiting your purchase of low-carbohydrate packaged foods. These items are really expensive, and sometimes full of harmful chemicals. They may also contain hidden carbs which can stall your weight loss efforts. The Atkins plan can be effectively followed without using any of these products. Unless it’s a special occasion, skip them all together.
Finally, its best to plan your meals and your shopping trips so you can buy your groceries in an effective way. Going to the grocery store unprepared or, even worse, hungry can spell disaster for your budget. Plan each week’s menu out ahead and time and then buy what you need to make those meals.
Important: Before starting on a new diet or exercise, consult with your doctor for advice.
