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Before I started working on this post, I asked my readers what was most challenging about going low-carb / paleo for them. Based on their feedback, I offered them a choice of topics to cover. By far, "keto on a budget & meal preparation" was the most popular topic.

If you just started following a low-carb diet, don't forget to read my free Guide to Keto & Paleo Diet which includes a print-friendly PDF version! You will find all the information you need, including the keto food list and tips on how to follow the diet to achieve your goals.

Here is my confession: I hate wasting of any kind. I am lucky that I'm one of those people who don't have to worry about satisfying their basic nutritional needs and food is always available. Sadly, 870 million (one in eight people) on this planet are hungry every day. My parents brought me up to respect food and not waste it. I grew up in a village and we've always had our own animals: chickens, geese, pigs and rabbits. Taking care of them made me appreciate even more what I have on my plate.

Eating healthy without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen can be a real challenge, especially if you are new to this way of eating (WOE). What is the right balance between quality and cost? Not everyone can afford grass-fed organic beef but does it really matter? Does healthy meal preparation have to be time-consuming?

Keto & Paleo on a Budget: 30+ Money Saving Tips In the first part of this article, I'll focus on the financial aspects of healthy low-carb / paleo eating and how to keep within your budget. The second part will be devoted to time-saving techniques when preparing meals. As a bonus, I included some additional tips from my readers! Disclosure: This post as well as my other posts contains Amazon affiliate links. This is how it works: whenever you buy a product by using these links, I get a small cut from Amazon which helps me run this blog. I never endorse a product or service that I would not purchase myself. I don't own all the kitchen equipment I listed in this post in which case I recommend them based on the reviews on Amazon. The #1 Keto Diet App Free Download 1,500+ delicious keto recipes Trialed & tested for best results Optimized for nutrition Never feel hungry Planner & tracker Track all macros including net carbs Scan products Create your own meals Advanced tracking Track ketones, blood glucose & lipids Stay hydrated with water tracking Track your mood & energy levels Macro calculator Calculate your ideal fat, protein & carb intake Set any goal: weight loss, maintenance or weight gain Your macros update based on your progress Progress Monitor your macros, water intake, mood & energy Body weight, body fat and body measurements Ketones, blood glucose & lipids Evidence-based content Expert articles to help you make informed choices Guides & free diet plans New daily content And so much more...! Complete Keto Diet guide Integrated shopping basket Restaurants & guide to eating out Free Download App Store Google Play App Store Also available on Google Play Google Play Also available on App Store

1. Find your local farmer or shop at farmer's market I buy meat, eggs and sometimes raw dairy from my farmer rather than a supermarket. My farm is just a 10 minute drive from where I live, so it's very convenient. Here are the main reasons why I almost never buy meat from a supermarket: Quality. You know what the animals are fed and how they live.

Price. Buying from a farmer is more economical, especially when buying in bulk.

Ethical. I go to a farm I trust, where animals are treated well. Actually, my farmers know their animals by name. They even give you a tour any time you ask them.

Here is a fabulous tutorial from Paleo Plan that explains the whole process of buying local meat. It makes everything so simple - no more excuses!

2. Buy seasonal If you get your vegetables and fruits from a farmer, they are always seasonal. If you buy your fruits and vegetables from a supermarket, you'll never learn what is seasonal. The only indication will be their price. Crops are usually more expensive at the beginning of their season, as there are not as many available. Globalisation enabled supermarkets to offer any foods any time of the year. It's not rare to see fresh strawberries in February or pumpkin in June on most supermarket shelves. However, this convenience will cost you extra money. I rarely buy anything out of season - it's too expensive and the produce often lacks quality. Here is a complete seasonal chart for each month in North America (vegetables, fruits, meats and fish). Here is a chart for the UK: Seasonal Vegetables Chart. Apart from fruit and vegetables, make sure you also buy fish in season. Here is a list for the UK and for the US West Coast. Depending on where you live, get your fish in season.

3. Buy in bulk Whenever you can, buy food in bulk! Just make sure you can fit it in your fridge or freezer. If not, get a chest freezer. If you manage your own business, sign up with a wholesale retailer such as Costco and get all the benefits for a just small membership fee. What to buy in bulk? Any shelf-stable products (almond flour, flaxseed, coconut flour, Erythritol, stevia, etc.) and meat (in the freezer). Sometimes, I buy seasonal vegetables and fruits and freeze them or make preserves. Now it's pumpkin season, so I'm going to make loads of pumpkin puree and use it throughout the year to make delicious keto-friendly recipes. Never buy short-life products you cannot freeze in bulk. Here is a list of foods you should never freeze. Oils, especially extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil can be quite pricey. Buy them in bulk! Almond, coconut and nut flours are also quite expensive. Buy them in bulk or make them yourself (read further if you want to know how).

4. Shop online, use loyalty programs, coupons and special offers I have Tesco and Sainsbury's member cards and use them to get special offers on foods and home delivery. I am not a fan of shopping and spending hours at supermarkets, so I don't mind paying a small fee for home-delivery every week. Also, shopping online will keep you from buying unhealthy foods or from buying more than you need. Every time I shop online, I get new coupons on foods I frequently purchase and even some additional sales (on cinema tickets, etc.). Wherever you live, find out about the offers at your local supermarket. Apart from coupons, there are also special offers, such as buying 3 packages of tomatoes for the price of 2. Everything counts and you may save 5-10% off your shopping.

5. Try Amazon Prime, Amazon Student, etc. Because I frequently shop on Amazon, I started using Amazon Prime. It includes free one-day deliveries on selected items and many other advantages such as free home movies. Amazon offers a free 30-day trial on Amazon Prime and Amazon Student is free for the first 6 months (50% off Prime after)!

7. Buy foods that are close to expiration Many food items are put on sale because they are close to their expiration date. These are often 10-50% off! Even if you cannot use them before the expiration date, you can always freeze them for later (meat, some vegetables such as green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, etc.).

8. Fast Whether you follow the fat fast, intermittent-fasting (IF) or a total fast, you are likely going to eat less and spend less in the long term. My favourite way to do IF is to skip breakfast and follow a 16/8 routine.

9. Don't waste food Food waste is not just affecting your wallet, it's a global issue contributing to environmental damage and increasing carbon emissions. Surprisingly, it's not the supermarkets or farmers wasting most food - it's us, the consumers! I have learnt to use up my scraps and leftovers as much as I can. If you can't finish what you have on your plate, store it in the fridge for later. Getting a food saver will save you money in the long term. Speaking from my own experience, never buy more food if you have no space for it. Don't be picky and try to finish what you have before buying more. Even if the veggies don't look as appetising as 5 days ago, they are still tasty and nutritious! I often end up with large amounts of meat gravy and animal fat when baking or slow cooking meat. Compared to lamb, mutton is very high in fat. When baking mutton chops, I get more than a cup of pure tallow! I just pour it through a sieve to remove any pieces of herbs and use it for cooking just like I do with butter, ghee or lard. If there are any meat juices left, wait until the fat solidifies and scrape it off the top. When I slow cook meat, I use the leftover gravy to cook vegetables such as cabbage - just like with bone broth. This adds a lot of flavour to my sides and nothing goes to waste. Have some slow cooked meat from last night's dinner? Throw it on top of your breakfast omelet! Have some leftover vegetables, broccoli or cauliflower stems? Place them in the freezer and reserve for making bone broth (recipe is here)! I have a special bag in my freezer and collect all the vegetable scraps and bones until there's enough to make bone broth. Apart from vegetables and bones, I also use herbs, spices and even some oxtail. All these add amazing flavour boost! Have any egg yolks or egg whites left? Don't waste them! If you have leftover egg yolks: use them for Hollandaise or homemade mayo. If you have leftover egg whites, try my Healthy Low-carb Marshmallows! Even more tips for leftovers are included in my apps and book.

10. Plan your cooking in advance - especially if your cooking skills are limited Some people can cook anything from available ingredients while others need to make a plan to avoid wasting. Planning what you are going to cook 3-5 days in advance should be enough. Keep in mind that your plans may change from one day to another: You can be eating out or may not be hungry, so always make sure you can use your leftovers. I do my shopping every 7-10 days from the supermarket, monthly from the farm and whenever needed from online stores (every 2-3 months). Depending on what I plan to cook, I make sure that all the short-life foods (berries, some vegetables, fresh meat) are used within the next few days OR that there is enough space in the freezer to store them for longer. I always have vegetables, meat, fish, cream, butter and avocados and make various recipes by using different spices, pesto sauces, etc. Always remember: keep it simple! You can also use my iPad app to plan your meals in advance. As a food blogger, I have to plan all sorts of recipes in advance and I find it very useful. Keep in mind that the planning feature is not available on the iPhone yet.

11. Make a shopping list Make sure that you have space for everything you are planning to buy. While some fresh foods can be left on the shelf, most need to be refrigerated. I sometimes buy avocados that are not ripe and keep them on the kitchen counter for a few days. They don't take any space in the fridge and they last for longer. Whether you use an app for your shopping list, or a piece of paper, it's up to you - both will do the job. Both KetoDiet apps include a shopping list.

12. Plant or grow your own herbs Grow your own herbs, vegetables and berries if you can. Herbs and spices are inexpensive when grown at home and add a lot of flavour to foods. I bought a pot of each of my herbs from a local garden store and have been growing them for more than 4 months. You can freeze or dry them for winter. In fact I've had my oregano, thyme and mint for over a year. There are some herbs that won't last in your garden and you'll have to keep them indoors. Basil and cilantro are very sensitive and I keep them in my kitchen. Either fresh or dried, they are great with meat, in pesto sauces and even some desserts. I grow basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, sage, mint and even stevia. I haven't used the stevia plant yet but I'm planning to try and make my own stevia sweetener. The mint has gone wild and I can't even use it fast enough!

15. Cook in bulk and freeze if needed Having a large slow cooker helps. If you have a busy job, you won't have time to cook every day. Cook on a Sunday and have it ready for the whole week - that's what I do! If needed, freeze for longer.

16. Choose frozen over fresh Frozen berries and vegetables are cheaper than fresh, unless they are in season. Frozen berries work in most low-carb recipes, even sprinkled over your morning low-carb granola! (recipe from KetoDiet apps & book). Frozen veggies are convenient and, especially if you have no time to cook!

17. Free berries in season? Freeze them for later! I live in the UK and this is the time of year when blackberries are in abundance. I have already picked 20 pounds of blackberries, enough for the next few months! Best of all, blackberries are the lowest in net carbs and I often make a keto-friendly 5-minute ice-cream just like this one from KetoDiet apps (with blackberries instead of strawberries). I've got loads of recipes with berries on my blog, too :-)

18. Buy cheap meat cuts Not all cuts of meat are expensive. In fact, my favourite cuts include oxtail, brisket or pork shoulder which are all reasonably priced. To cook these cuts well, you should get a pressure cooker or a slow cooker - that's how you get delicious meat that falls apart! When cooking in a slow cooker, the order matters. Start by layering the hard vegetables on bottom, top with meat and cover with sauces. If using soft vegetables like zucchini or dairy like cream, add them in the last 30-45 minutes. Buy offal and marrow bones - they are cheap and high in nutrients. Even if you are not too keen on eating liver, you can always mix some into your minced meatloaf or meatballs! Whenever you've got a cut with bone, don't forget to reserve it for making bone broth later on. Bestselling Keto Books Keto Chaffles Order and get 5 bonus chaffle recipes! My latest keto cookbook! 75 Delicious Treats for Your Low-Carb Diet Chaffles are the epitome of simplicity and versatility Simple Keto Meal-prepping, planning, and shopping strategies 100+ delicious low-carb recipes Quick & easy, no stress, no complication The Beginner's KetoDiet Cookbook Easy keto guide 100+ delicious low-carb recipes Whole foods, optimized for nutrition The Keto All Day Cookbook My best keto recipes 100+ delicious low-carb recipes Allergy-free options Quick Keto Meals in 30 Minutes or Less Quick and easy meals 100+ delicious low-carb recipes Allergy-free options Sweet & Savory Fat Bombs Sweet treats & savory snacks 100+ delicious keto recipes Allergy-free options Keto Slow Cooker & One-Pot Meals 100+ delicious low-carb recipes Ideal for batch cooking and meal prep Allergy-free options The KetoDiet Cookbook 150+ delicious low-carb recipes Quick guide to keto Keto food list Super Low-Carb Snacks 100+ delicious low-carb recipes Tasty paleo treats and snacks Ultra low-carb fat bombs Get it now Have any of my books? Claim your Premium Diet Plans

19. No, you don't need to buy everything labeled ORGANIC Organic produce is often overpriced. Not all fruits and vegetables need to be labeled organic to be safe. Which ones are worth paying for? It's simple, if it's on the Dirty Dozen Plus list, always buy organic. Also, make sure you know what you pay for. Products that are labeled "organic" must be accredited by a certification body and you should be able to find this on the packaging. Also, there are many farmers who follow organic practices without being certified - this article on Mission: Heirloom / In The Kitchen explains what you should be looking for. You will also find some tips for meat CSAs in California!

20. If you cannot afford grass-fed BEEF, buy pastured / grain-fed Grass-fed, pastured, grain-fed - what's the difference? Animals that are primarily fed grass and additionally grains or silage, especially during winter, can be labeled "pastured" / "grain-fed". Only animals that have been fed grass during their entire life can be labeled "grass-fed." What you really want to avoid is grain-fed meat from confined animals. I have written about the difference between grass-fed and grain-fed meat here. If you cannot afford grass-fed meat and dairy, it's not the end of the world. You can avoid eating too many PUFA by trimming the fat off. As with all meat, opt for unfashionable cuts which are reasonably priced and delicious when slow cooked - the same rule applies to all red meat (lamb, pork, etc).

21. If you cannot afford outdoor-reared PORK, avoid it There are several reasons to avoid conventionally raised factory-farmed pork. When getting pork from a farmer, make sure you know: What are the living conditions of their animals? How are they treated?

Do they take antibiotics?

What do these animals eat? I buy my meat at a local farm. They let you "adopt" a pig and decide what they feed it and when it gets slaughtered. You can even visit the farm and feed it yourself. Here is a useful guide to help you understand what you should be searching for when sourcing your meat.

22. If you cannot afford wild FISH, avoid it If you cannot get wild fish, avoid it, you surely don't want to consume PCBs. Also, avoid fish high in mercury and consider sustainability issues - always avoid farmed salmon and think twice before buying shrimp. Melissa from Whole9 has a comprehensive guide to sourcing fish, shrimp and bivalves which explains why wild-caught fish is not always the best choice. It's simply not the only factor you should consider.

23. Be careful when buying EGGS and CHICKEN - know the labels! Organic eggs and chicken can be quite pricey, especially if you buy them from a supermarket. However, all the commonly used labels may be misleading. Organic, cage-free, free-range, or pasture-raised - which ones are at the best? Here is another great guide from Whole 9 that explains the difference. Ideally, you should get your eggs and chicken from your farmer who raises his chickens according to organic, free-range standards - no need for labelling! Extra tip: always buy the whole bird rather than the most popular and expensive cuts. You can use any cut-outs with bones for making chicken stock!

24. Beware of oils, not all of them have a long shelf life Some oils last for a year or more (most saturated fats) while other last for just a few months (most PUFA). Some even need to be refrigerated (flaxseed oil). Keep that in mind when buying oils to avoid rancid oils. When oils get rancid, they don't have to smell but are damaging your health. You can find a complete overview of oils and fats in my post here.

25. If you cannot afford organic coconut oil, use it just as a treat Coconut oil has a very high smoke point and it's excellent for high heat cooking. On the other hand, using it for regular cooking may not be affordable for everyone. To get the best value for money, use coconut oil for making treats such as fat bombs or eat it as a supplement - right in your mouth! Instead of using coconut oil for cooking, opt for ghee (find out how to make it yourself) or animal fat such as tallow or lard. The only disadvantage of tallow is that it solidifies fast at room temperature, so you really need to make sure you eat your meal hot.

26. Don't spend money on take-aways and extras Food and especially drinks can be quite pricey. Forget Starbucks or other "take-away" coffee shops. Their coffee is overpriced, the quality is poor and the serving size enormous (even what they consider "small") making people consume huge amounts of carbs when sugar and syrups are added. In my opinion, the only way to make their coffee palatable is to add unhealthy syrups. This is just another reason to avoid them. Coffee is not the only overpriced extra - don't ever buy bottled water.

27. Make your own tea, coffee and drink water All these are very cheap when prepared at home. I buy all sorts of tea on Amazon and I even make tea from herbs I collect where I live (rosehip, lavender, lime tree, mint, etc). If you are craving sugary drinks, here is what you can try: water (still or sparkling) with some lemon or lime juice, ice and a few drops of stevia

homemade ice-tea (I like hibiscus, lavender and a few drops of berry stevia

liquorice tea is a naturally sweet tea (I like this one with liquorice and peppermint)

coffee & cream (may be sweetened with stevia)

berry lemonade / limeade such as this one: Summer Iced Berry "Lemonade". You can try all sorts of berry & herb infused water drinks - try adding mint, rosemary or basil!

28. Don't buy "convenience" foods Pre-packaged salads, shredded cheese, trimmed green beans, etc. - these always cost more. What you pay for is the convenience but it's not worth it. It only takes a minute to do the job yourself!

29. Avoid low-carb desserts or make them occasionally Most keto-friendly desserts use sweeteners and low-carb flours. The less treats you eat, the less expensive your diet will be. Additionally, you will be eating VERY clean, just like if you were to follow my 30-Day Clean Eating Challenge! No sweeteners = no sugar cravings = no weight loss plateaus :-)

30. Avoid popular low-carb products (Carbquick, Atkins bars, Julian Bakery etc.) It's not just the extra costs but also the misleading labels and unhealthy ingredients these products are often laden with. I have written more about this in my post here. The #1 Keto Diet App App Store Google Play

32. Get an extra freezer Once you find a good meat supplier, getting a chest freezer is really worth it. You don't even need to buy a new one, just make sure it's energy-efficient. Once you get the meat, don't forget to mark the packages with dates.

33. No space? Share your food with others Not everyone has space for an extra freezer or room for buying everything in bulk. Share your purchases with your family, relatives or other families. You can buy a whole cow, pig or lamb. This way you can save a lot of money and buy the best quality meat!

More Tips for Healthy Meal Preparation and Saving Time Cook your meat on a Sunday Serve with low-carb vegetables throughout the week: spinach, braised cabbage, green beans or asparagus. Make a batch of cauli-rice Having your cauli-rice ready in the fridge is very convenient. Simply "rice" the cauliflower, keep in an airtight container in the fridge and cook whenever needed. Cauli-rice is not just a side, it can be used for making a quick breakfast meal! Here are a few recipes on my blog that use cauli-rice. Chop some fresh vegetables in advance Cut any vegetables and place them in mason jars or other containers to make a simple salad and have them ready in your fridge. When assembling a salad, add some protein (cooked chicken, beef, salmon, prawns, bacon or cheese) and fat (olive oil & lemon vinaigrette, homemade mayo, etc.) Pre-cook & freeze some vegetables Buy fresh vegetables that are in season (broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, kale, spinach, etc.) and blanch them until half done but still crispy. 1-3 minutes of steaming is enough for most vegetables. Then, rinse in cold water and drain before placing them in freezer. I use zip-lock bags rather than containers and divide the vegetables into 1-4 portion bags depending on what I plan to use them for. Vegetables prepared this way take very little time to cook. Cook the meat in a slow cooker or pressure cooker Whether you use a slow cooker or a pressure cooker (takes significantly less time), you can make large amounts of meat ready to be used throughout the week. I use it in my keto wraps, on top of lettuce leaves, omelettes, in salads and with cooked veggies. The options are endless and you can even freeze it for longer! My slow cooker has literally been a life saver since I've been busy working on my new cookbook, especially on those days I spend in front of my computer editing photos and writing the book. Use bone broth for flavour boost Apart from spices, use bone broth for making soups and stews. It adds a lot of flavour without any need for extra flavouring. I cook most of my vegetables in bone broth! You can make your own bone broth or use ready-made bone broth from Kettle & Fire. Make pesto Always have some homemade pesto in the fridge. It takes just a few minutes to make and adds a lot of flavour to salads, vegetables and meat dishes. I often spread some pesto on top of cooked fish - no need for additional spices! Use a lunch box Avoiding restaurants and takeaways will not save you just money but also unwanted ingredients. Keep in mind that even if you get a completely low-carb meal, chances are it's cooked in vegetable oil. Apart from regular food containers, Alexis from Lexi's Clean Kitchen shows how to pack your lunch in a Mason jar. Cute and ingenious! Try food delivery service Depending on the availability of keto-friendly meal plans, you can always pay for a delivery service. Natural Ketosis meal plans which I have reviewed in my post here, are a convenient and affordable option for busy people (beware that not all meals are paleo-friendly). Always have keto-friendly foods at hand to make quick meals Eggs, cheese (if you can eat dairy), cream (or coconut milk), butter (or ghee), non-starchy vegetables, avocados and meat. Here are some of the recipes on my blog that only require a few ingredients and are easy to make. Prepare some keto-friendly snacks and have them ready in the fridge Hard-boiled eggs, nuts and nut butter, avocados, fat bombs or even homemade keto / protein bars. More quick recipes on my blog and in KetoDiet apps & book Here is a list of recipes from my blog you can prepare in less than 20 minutes. If you have the KetoDiet App you can sort the meals by the required time to prepare and get all those quick meals at the beginning of the list! Ultimate keto buns, Chocolate granola, Baked salmon & asparagus with Hollandaise, sweet or savoury waffles and many more are all convenient meals for busy people!

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Martina Slajerova Creator of KetoDietApp.com I changed the way I ate in 2011, when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. I had no energy, and I found it more and more difficult to maintain a healthy weight. That’s when I decided to quit sugar, grains, and processed foods, and to start following a whole-foods-based ketogenic approach to food. More posts by Martina Slajerova Martina Slajerova About the Reviewer This article has been reviewed by Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE who is a qualified expert. At KetoDiet we work with a team of health professionals to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. You can find out more on the About us page.