How much do you spend on meals?
nicolejo143
Posts: 214 Member
I feel like I've been spending more money on groceries since I've gone low carb. More money on meat, produce and dairy instead of filling up on cheap rice, beans, breads and pastas. Eating out I sometimes spend a more too because I have to modify certain things to better fit my diet. Any tips on spending less?
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I typically go to Costco every two weeks, and I'll drop $80-100. Most of that will get me through two weeks, except I might need pick a few other thing in between. Probably more in the neighborhood of $125-150 every two weeks.
On the flip side though, I am probably saving quite a bit of money by cooking each meal versus eating out. Also, not purchasing as much alcohol.3 -
DrKenDBerry on YouTube has a video on less expensive keto tips. If your main motivation is weight loss, you don't necessarily have to go the super clean route of organic, grass fed etc. Yes, it might be the best option but if you can't afford it, it's better to do a less perfect option than keep eating the standard American diet. I really think the costs can balance out by the time you're not buying all the junk foods and not eating as often.3
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I was reading an article that relates to this yesterday. It was in Insider Health on the internet. Harvard did a study about how much more expensive was it really per day to eat healthy opposed to unhealthy. What they meant by unhealthy was getting fast food a few times a week, preparing food at home, and not considering nutrition of food.
On average it came out to about $1.50-$2.25 more per day to have healthy food. It was about weight loss.
So I used $2 as the standard for me, and was like ok $60 more for groceries could be true in a month. But that is more than offset by what is not being bought at other types of stores like donuts, too many Starbucks, and or bakeries etc. And fast food. For me that has pretty much totally gone away. I think once in 6.5 months.
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I do not spend any more on groceries going keto...I am forced to be more flexible about what we eat though, and rely more on whatever meat is on sale vs just planning and then buying whatever...now I buy, and I plan based on what I was able to get cheap...and when it's a super good deal, I buy as much extra as my budget can handle, then I have more flexibility the following week...I do kind of miss weekly steak night, but I still get those when things are on sale, just not necessarily every week.4
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I was much more likely to eat out prior to Keto. Breakfast is not to much. Lunch is some lettuce with some mushrooms cherry tomatoes, jalapenos with some leftover chicken & cheese . dinner will some piece of meat with some asparagus. I like to keep some frozen salmon and chicken from costco or sam's in the freezer. When I compare that to the 7 to 10 dollars for a combo meal it doesn't seem to bad. I guess I was eating fresh vegetables before keto so I didn't see much difference other than less bread.4
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Check your local supermarket and see when they reduce items for fast sale in the meat dept. I get very good buys and cook/prep them immediately the same day it is bought. I haven't noticed any increase in food budget purchasing this way. Also I tend to eat out less which saves quite a bit.2
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Yes, I eat carnivore and find it is more expensive. But I buy from sales and often try to stay around $3/lb. or less for meat on average with beef as my primary source. Sometimes I spend a bit more, and sometimes less. I can get poultry and pork for much less, ground beef for around $2-$3, some cuts of beef for around $3-$4. If you figure average consumption, I'm at less than $10/day. That's way more than I would spend if I were eating rice and beans, but also way healthier.1
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Meat is definitely expensive, but I used to spend a small fortune on junk food and prepared foods that now I save. I stock up any time one of my staple foods is on sale, and since I don’t really crave or binge anymore I don’t have a bunch of “extra” trips to the grocery store where I pick up whatever looks good. Altogether I think I’m coming out a bit ahead.2
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FlyingMolly wrote: »Meat is definitely expensive, but I used to spend a small fortune on junk food and prepared foods that now I save. I stock up any time one of my staple foods is on sale, and since I don’t really crave or binge anymore I don’t have a bunch of “extra” trips to the grocery store where I pick up whatever looks good. Altogether I think I’m coming out a bit ahead.
This is my experience, too!
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My late afternoon lunch at McDonald's of 1400 calories for half a pound of fresh beef and coffee with half and half was the regular $3.60 but yes keto can get expensive but as mentioned junk food WOE's can get expensive too and in my case was destroying my health/life. Avoiding a $2600 monthly Rx by going Keto saves more than my food bill today.
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midwesterner85 wrote: »Yes, I eat carnivore and find it is more expensive. But I buy from sales and often try to stay around $3/lb. or less for meat on average with beef as my primary source. Sometimes I spend a bit more, and sometimes less. I can get poultry and pork for much less, ground beef for around $2-$3, some cuts of beef for around $3-$4. If you figure average consumption, I'm at less than $10/day. That's way more than I would spend if I were eating rice and beans, but also way healthier.
Wow, that's really good! I don't usually find meats that cheap where I live, especially beef. I'm going to be more diligent looking for sales/markdowns.1 -
I get most of my chicken/turkey from Sams Club but if you time it right you can stock up on some great priced chicken per pound at Aldi. One of the best bang for the buck protein buys I've found is Sams Club lean ground chicken. There are 11 servings in the container at around $8.00. Mix that with cauliflower rice and some shredded lettuce and it can really go a long way.2
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I haven't noticed a great difference in price but I am a celiac so the breads and prepared foods that I dropped were more expensive to begin with. Bread is never under $6 per loaf, and cereal boxes are usually $5+.
I'm now mostly a carnivore. I buy bulk meats, cheap cuts, and then divide or cut it up at home. I stock up on cheese and dairy when it is on sale.1 -
I am struggling with cost also, I cant tolerate dairy, and many vegetables and fruits and, want quality meats, ate eggs today for lunch and reacting which is only second time this week which seems to confirm they have to go too :-(
Hoping this isnt really going to cost me what I think it will
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Kroger brand wild caught canned salmon is the best food for the money. 2.89 a can. Mixed the whole thing with you spinach salad, douse with olive oil and you eating like a king2
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If you can, try checking out a restaurant supply store (we have Cash and Carry here), a lot of times, the meat is overall cheaper (although, you should note you'll buy a LOT of it) and veggies are ALWAYS on the cheap. Yeah, you'll make an investment when you first purchase everything, but you'll fill your freezer and fridge with some pretty great cheap cuts of meat and some really fresh whole veg.1
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The only cost for consideration really is farmed meat/salmon vs organic and wild. Salmon is 8/lb farmed vs 14/lb wild. And strip steak are same cost 8 on sale vs 14 organic. So eating low carb cost more, and eating organic low carb is 2x. Nuts, veggies and olive oil will make up the rest of daily calories. No increase there. If 50%-70% of your cals come from cheap carbs via bread and rice products, then of course you will see a cost jump in the budget when you switch to low carb. The selling point is it’s healthier then a grain based diet. Up to you to decide.
To answer your direct question; yesterday’s meal was 1.24lb ($17) wild salmon with spinach (¢50) 1/2 cauliflower ($1.5) olive oil 4 tbs (¢50?), almonds 6oz ($3.50). Raspberry 6 oz ($1.5)
It’s was my only meal for the day, about 1800cals , about 25$ a day looks like.2 -
Honestly, as a family of 5 all with different eating needs, desires me switching to low carb didn't impact our budget much.
Meal planning though became essential. We did a lot of planning before I switched because of the diary restrictions of 2 of my kids. (And the straight up pickiness of the teenager) but when I committed to low carb as a way of eating it really became important to meal plan. I find, that planning, is what makes grocery shopping more cost effective.
As for eating out, I focus on Happy hours or appetizers frankly. Portions can be better sized and modifications less. Certainly not always true but it can help!
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Ground organic bison/lamb/beef is another way to save money0
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Once I stopped trying to find LC/keto versions of food and started just eating real food, my grocery bill went down. I eat meat with every meal, but I eat real fresh veggies at nearly every meal also. Greens, broccoli, zucchini, celery, peppers, cucumbers, etc. are all really cheap. I save extra on the peppers and Swiss chard during growing season since I have those in my garden along with seasonings like basil and rosemary.
After adjustment to eating this way, snacking has pretty much disappeared because I am not hungry between meals. I also fast 2-3 times a month for 2-3 days each time, which makes my food bill on those days 0.
You don't have to get the best cuts of meat if you have a slow cooker. Even the toughest piece of meat cooked slow with some added fat (i.e. salt pork) comes out tender and tasty.
As for eating out, I do so much less now. This is because over the last 3+ years of being keto, I have learned how to cook so that my food tastes way better than I can find in most restaurants. (who says you can't teach and old dog new tricks?) Not eating out as much has saved me a ton of money.
When I do eat out, my two go to choices are BBQ places where I can just order the meat by the pound (or half pound) which is cheaper than the meal while being more filling, or cobb salad. Cobb salad is close to the perfect keto salad with bacon, egg, sometimes another meat, blue cheese, and greens. If I have a choice, I get it with blue cheese dressing which really makes it a great keto meal. It is also generally one of the more reasonably priced items on the menu. In fact, salads where you can get a meat added and a nice fatty dressing like blue cheese or ranch usually work out great. I generally avoid the kinds of oils they use in these dressings, but I figure if I am only eating these a few times a month, I should be ok.
This may be heresy to some, but my cheese consumption has actually gone down. I think it is generally the poorest value of all LCHF foods with eggs being the best. Cheese is one of the rare LCHF foods where I feel like I can just eat endless amounts. The only other food I can think of like that is nuts, which I also try to limit.
If you are not incorporating several different ways to eat eggs, you are missing out. Even if you buy the most expensive eggs out there, they are a great value whether you measure by satiety or calories.5 -
I make a big meal generally to take to work with me multiple days. Buffalo chicken, jalepeno popper chicken, taco meat (chicken or beef), pulled pork, chuck roast, etc.0
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I recommend soup recipes. I almost always times then by 3 or 4 and our family eats delicious hearty meal for atleast 2 dinners and usually a lunch on a $10-20 pot.2
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Also call your local walmart. Ours marks many many meats down around 6am on sunday morning but you must go early to catch them.2
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I agree with making soups and eating canned fish like wild salmon or mackerel. I make soup in a crockpot. I just cook chicken thighs for 2 hours, then throw in the veggies about 2 hours before it's going to be done. Carrots, celery, leeks, cilantro, kale, potatoes(I'm not super low carb) and some salt and it's done before I know it. I also agree with using fish with salads. I really like using cumin seed with salmon to make it taste better. It reminds me of tacos and with tomatoes, olives, and lettuce or spinach it is just like a taco to me although I do miss fried tortillas, one of my weaknesses.0
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How much do I spend on meals?
Hmm thinking about it—- I would say I spend a lot of money on groceries/ mostly because i buy all grass fed/grass finished meat and all organic. I spent $150 last night and only had a few small bags. That will last me and my husband through a typical week though.
I buy much of my meat from my corner butcher shop and my seafood from this cool fishmonger who always has a variety of wild caught fish. Since I shop at a lot of Mom and Pop places here in Manhattan - sometimes there are deals, sometimes no/ but I like supporting local small businesses.
To spend less- I buy what’s in season when I can and load up when I see a sale.1 -
We have a local meat 'wholesale' store, which I visit about 1X a month at ~$150, and then I spend about $75 - $100 a week on dairy, drink, cold cuts, veggies and non-keto food for my DH who refuses to eat low carb. I also live in an uber-expensive area with ridiculous food prices, so there is that. To save money, my advice would be to plan all your meals out before shopping, use more frozen vegetables then fresh, eat more organ meats and buy less processed foods like nut flours, fancy sweetners, 'low carb' prepared food and so on.0
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If you’re in a rural area, look into buying a half or quarter cow from a local farmer. It’s definitely the cheapest way for me to buy grass-fed beef, and conventional beef is probably a better deal too. You’ll need to factor in freezer space and electric costs if you want a real cost comparison. Having a full freezer is a time and energy saver for me, fewer shopping trips.1
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