Atkins Cost Saving Tips

 

The Atkins diet has many health benefits, but it's not exactly easy on the wallet. Fresh meats are some of the most expensive items in the grocery store and when you follow Atkins, you will have to buy a lot of them.

However, there are simple steps you can take to cut costs on this low-carb plan.

First of all, get creative in planning your meals. Remember that most diet books are written to encourage readers to try new food combinations.

The recipes in those books contain the most expensive ingredients. You don't have to cook like a professional chef to experience the benefits of the Atkins diet.

There are many simple recipes you can make that are on the plan and cost much less than the ones listed in diet books. By modifying your meal plans with the books, you can enjoy the low-carb lifestyle on a budget.

One of the most important steps to take is to buy meats in bulk. When you stock up on large packages of ground beef, chicken, and fish, you reduce protein costs.

You can separate large packages into small freezer bags and freeze them in meal-size portions. Two to four chicken breasts in a bag are easy to defrost and make a good size meal. You can also cook ground beef in many different varieties and freeze the cooked portions.

Try making one serving of the meat with taco spices, another portion with hamburger spices, and the third portion with Italian spices. That way, you can use a lot of hamburger meat and still have variety in your diet.

Also, look for less tender cuts of meat to cut the cost of your grocery money. While filet mignon can be tasty, it doesn't fit every budget. Less tender cuts of beef and pork make great crock pot meals, and using a slow cooker will help tenderize them.

Look for alternative sources of protein like eggs and tofu. Both items pack a powerful protein punch for a fraction of the cost of meats.

Walnuts are also a great source of protein, but they can get expensive very quickly. Some recipes call for expensive macadamia nuts and cashews. Walnuts, peanuts, and almonds contain the same amount of protein for a fraction of the cost.

Mixed vegetable salads will make up a large part of your daily Atkins meals. While it may be tempting to buy bagged salad that is already chopped up, you'll pay $ 2 to $ 3 a bag.

You can buy three heads of different types of lettuce for the same cost and make the equivalent of six bags of packaged salad. Also, consider investing in a salad maker. This handy device will make homemade salads crunchy and satisfying.

Get creative with your menus and use products and meats that are on sale. If you have a recipe that calls for chicken and turkey breasts that are for sale, go ahead and substitute this week.

Make sure you have a list of acceptable foods with you at the grocery store so you can see if a sale food is a good substitution on the Atkins plan.

When you go to the store, you can also cut costs by limiting your purchase of low-carb packaged foods. These items are very expensive and are sometimes full of harmful chemicals.

They can also contain hidden carbohydrates that can stop 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, it is best to plan your meals and your shopping trips so that you can shop for your food effectively.

Going to the grocery store unprepared or, worse, hungry can spell disaster for your budget. Plan each week's menu in advance and then buy what you need to prepare those meals.