I can't add anything more than what @Sunny_Bunny_ said. I'm exactly in the same boat and mindset as she.

I second the agreeing with Sunny. It's better to do it than not do it. I know dark meat is way cheaper than white, maybe even cage free?? I'm not sure. I wish you healing, friend.

Eggs are about the most budget friendly food option out there - keto or not. The organic/grass fed meats can get pricey. I don't really know what the benefit is of grass fed given it makes the meat much leaner. If you want higher fat intake, that seems counter intuitive. Nearly all the meat I buy is on sale. I find pork chops are a great option as I can usually find some with a nice trim of fat around them and when they go on sale in the "value" packs, I buy as much as I can and freeze what I can't eat right away.

Pork chops are also very versatile. I usually take some of them and dice up the uncooked meat and use it in an egg/pork/cheese scramble. I also use HWC for the scrambled egg part.

They can be fried up in butter with some garlic powder, then use the butter/garlic mix to cook up some spinach to go with it while the meat rests since that just takes a couple minutes and pour it all over the pork. I will sometimes "bread" the pork chop with pork rinds, but if you are trying to stay away from processed meat, that may not be a good option. You could either skip that, or use almond flour or even crushed almonds/walnuts/pecans. All three of those nuts have low net carbs and high fat.

The options are plentiful for pork, IMO. Given it is typically much cheaper than beef, that makes it a much more budget friendly option also.

I don't focus on organic/grass fed/free range, etc. Right or wrong. I have no "platform" for or against. I am highly frugal though. I study the weekly ad when it comes out on Wednesday. I have for years. I rarely buy anything if it is NOT on sale. I'm fortunate to have MANY grocery stores within a couple of miles of my house. I know that my "favorite" and closest store discounts their "dated" meat 30% around 10 AM. If it is not sold by 3 PM, they reduce it 50% around 3 PM. Yesterday I purchased 2 whole chickens that happened to be "free range/no added hormones" for 71 cents a pound. I prefer those little chickens because well...they're little. Plenty for 2 people for a few days. I roasted one for dinner last night. The carcass is on the stove for broth. The white meat (we prefer dark) is in the refrigerator for another meal...or 2. I eat way less on keto cuz calories add up from fat and...satiation.

I can't help but wonder about today's food "technology". Apples are HUGE today compared to yesteryear. I've not researched keto for cancer. There are a few here who have and would be a far better source. I've read here and there that cancer cells thrive on sugar. Keto cuts the sugar. Something for you to research.

I find it really difficult to find and afford grass fed meats. I find costco to be a good option for oorganic produce. I'll usually buy two items and work my meals around those. I'll supplement with smaller portions of items from other stores.

As far as meat, I find Safeway to have the best quality in my area. I buy when they have the stock up sales (buy one get two free) and then package them into smaller portions that will feed my family.

Organic whole chickens are probably the best bang for your buck if you want to stick to the clean meats. Costco has a two pack, and it's about 20 bucks. I can stretch a chicken to a lot of meals and make a hearty bone broth. They are just a leaner meat, so you'll have to eat a lot of fat with 'em.

Pork butts are a really economical way of making meat. I'll throw one in the crockpot on Sunday night with some seasoning and water, and let it cook til Monday afternoon. It melt in your mouth shreds. I freeze half and we eat off of it for practically every meal for a week.

I'm currently on a 250/ month food budget to feed 3 with varying diets. It can be done!

Ok here's what I know from my research, the only type of organic meat that matters is the super fatty ones. Toxins are in the fat, so the cleaner you can get your meat (organic) the better. This goes for full fat dairy too. If it's just chicken breast, then don't worry about it or a pork loin chop which is super lean, just cut off the fat. I personally can't afford it either but I do my best. I buy organic eggs at costco because it's cheap (2 dozen for $5.69), I can get grassfed ground beef (not organic) at Aldi for $5.50/lb. So it's just looking around and seeing what you can do.

As for veggies - yes look at the dirty dozen. Anything with a peel, just buy conventional. And again if you can't afford everything organic don't sweat it - just do your best. I think the most important ones are lettuce, celery and berries.

And don't forget you can get your fat through vegetable sources too like avocado, nuts and olive oil (costco sells a very reasonable organic olive oil). Most of my fat comes from these sources since I'm also dairy free

Just do the best you can, experiment along the way and you'll find your path

Second all of the discussions above. In addition, I sometimes look to lower another item in the budget, say new clothing (buy in "gently used" stores) or rent a movie (no theatre going), buy "used books" ,etc. Then the savings from all of the above can go directly into my food budget which is a big help some months!

I find that my slow cooker (I think called a crock pot in US?) enables me to buy much cheaper cuts of meat - shoulder of lamb much cheaper then leg - pork belly instead of fillet - shin of beef - lamb neck etc.... so I can afford good quality but a cheaper cut. When cooked slowly is so tender. Plus those cuts tend to be fatty which is not a problem for Keto!
On another note, I am sorry to hear of your illness and hope your health improves ❤️

Definitely pork chops, butt, shoulder. Chicken thighs, bone in are a great option. Eggs, eggs, eggs. Cheap and easy to prepare. I too, cannot afford grass fed, organic, etc. Concerning inflammation, I find that it's the grains that cause it for me. My arthritis is so bad and my hands are very swollen when I eat grains. I am a carb addict but sugar is evil in so many ways so I'm trying to live without it.

I am one who eats mainly organic grass fed and pastured meat and eggs. I have a relationship with farmers who will cater to individual needs. My monthly meat cost this year is $156. I have many reasons for choosing to buy my meat right from the farm, but the one I'd like to highlight here is the fact that I get many items for free, such as bones and parts of the animals that most others don't use, like heads and feet. I make my own bone broth and headcheese for instance, and derive a lot of enjoyment from the entire experience. And yes, I believe I am healthier eating this meat, whether that may be the case or not scientifically. I know that my meat has not been exposed to chemicals and that means a lot to me.

I eat LCHF, and the bulk of my diet is protein and fat. What I have noticed is that I am actually saving money eating this way, since I am no longer eating any...or very little processed food, which can be expensive. I use my animal fat for cooking, save bacon fat, make my own lard, and buy butter and coconut oil.

I am not buying breads, cereals, fruit, junk food etc, and and I now buy considerably less vegetables than before keto. With my meat purchases already arranged, all I have to buy weekly is a few fresh veggies, butter, cream, cheese, maybe extra bacon and paper products. I also grow my own vegetables in the summer and make my own pickles and tomato sauce etc. My total grocery bill is less than when we ate a regular SAD diet.

I would suggest many of the same things that other folks here recommend. That is, the quality of the meat may not be as important as being able to buy in bulk and watch for deals. Get the best quality meat you can afford, and stock up. I find it more simple to eat this kind of diet...not nearly as many foods or products to purchase makes me very happy.

Good luck and try not to stress out about it. With experience, you will find ways that work for you.

You're welcome. I forgot to mention things like nuts. They can be pricey but I don't buy them often, and I watch for sales.

Please don't say headcheese

headcheese - my Grandpa's favorite, I remember when I was little he used to buy it at the deli and eat slices of it with vinegar. I can't stand to look at it