9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (2024)

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Katie Warren

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (1)

When you think of the keto diet, typical foods that come to mind probably include steak, chicken, fatty fish such as salmon, and even bacon.

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Buying these foods can quickly get expensive. But if you've decided that the keto diet is right for you, there are ways to do it without breaking the bank.

"The keto diet can definitely be done on a budget, although it's always best to keep in mind that from a nutritional perspective you should always favor quality over quantity,"Angela Mavridis, holistic nutritionist and founder of keto brand TRIBALÍ Foods, told INSIDER.

She added that if you're not mindful of quality and give in to eatingprocessed cheese, low-quality meats, or foods full of additives and preservatives, it could counterbalance the ketones in your bloodstream and sabotage your diet

Here are nineways to save money while doing the ketogenic diet, from shopping locally to buying whole chickens rather than individual parts.

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1. Shop locally.

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (2)

"Buy direct from the farmer, either by visiting local farms or farmers' markets," nutritionist Sandra Greenbank told INSIDER.

Local farmers' markets tend to be the best place to find produce, and local farms are your best bet for your meat, eggs, and dairy, Mavridis said.

"Many of these farms will sell you lard and tallow to cook with," she added.

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2. Buy in bulk.

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (3)

Buying in bulk is key to doing the keto diet on a budget, Mavridis told INSIDER, especially when it comes to meat.

"You can always partner with other family or friends to do a cow share and maybe invest in an additional freezer in your garage," she said.

Greenbank added that you can save moneyby getting your nuts, seeds, and coconut oil in bulk from health food stores online.

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3. Stock up on eggs.

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (4)

"Eggs are a great value protein food which can be added to so many recipes," Greenbank said.

Making hard-boiled eggs to eat in the morning or throw in salad is a great way to get your protein for less money.

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4. Buy whole chickens instead of just chicken breasts.

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (5)

"Buy whole chickens, slow cook or roast, and put left-overs in the fridge or freezer, as this is much cheaper than buying only the chicken breasts," Greenbank said.

If you're worried about this taking too much time,a simple trick called spatchco*cking — which entails splitting a chicken by removing its backbone — will let you roast a chicken in half the time.

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5. Meal prep in advance.

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (6)

Preparing your meals ahead of time "can save both time and money, and means you will have prepared foods ready to hand throughout the week," Greenbank said.

Some keto foods that can make meal prepping easier include chicken, hard-boiled eggs, zucchini, and cold cuts.

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6. Buy in-season vegetables.

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (7)

Buying vegetables that are in-season can save you money, Greenbank said.

When you buy what's in-season, you're buying food that's at the peak of its supply and it costs less for farmers and distribution companies to harvest it and get it to the store, according to LifeHacker.

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7. Buy vegetables in bulk and freeze them.

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (8)

Greenbank recommended buying vegetables in bulk and then freezing them.

"For example, avocados can be expensive, but if you come across some that are discounted because they're about to be past their sell-by date, you can buy them and freeze the flesh to use in smoothies," she said.

8. Eat all parts of an animal.

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (9)

"Eat all parts of the animal," Greenbank advised. "Offal such as heart and liver are much cheaper and very nutritious."

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9. Keep it simple.

9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (10)

"At first, if you're a beginner [to the keto diet] it's always a good idea to keep things simple — just build your plate from a medium-sized piece of protein, add some produce either cooked in or drizzled with fat," Mavridis said.

"Also, if you're trying to get fat-adapted, there's are some great recipes for fat bombs that you can make and stick in your freezer," she added. "My favorite resources are: "TheKetoDiet"by Leanne Vogel, a series ofKetorecipe books by Maria Emmerich and the "Ketofor Women" podcast by Shawn Mynar."

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9 tips for following the keto diet without going broke (2024)

FAQs

What happens after 10 days of keto? ›

After a week: Days 7-10

It's important to stay hydrated during this stage, and that you stick to a well-proportioned keto meal plan, even if you aren't feeling hungry. You may also notice an increase in your energy levels and performance. Your keto journey should be easier from here on.

What are big mistakes on keto? ›

Eating too much protein and not enough fats

Proteins as well can cause insulin spikes when over-consumed. The only macronutrient that doesn't spike insulin is pure fat. For this reason, you need to be adhering to very specific fat/carb/protein ratios when following a Keto Diet.

What is the trick to keto diet? ›

Strategies for encouraging the body to enter ketosis include:
  1. Significantly reducing the carbohydrate intake. ...
  2. Increasing physical activity. ...
  3. Fasting for short periods. ...
  4. Increasing healthful fat intake. ...
  5. Testing ketone levels. ...
  6. Checking protein intake. ...
  7. Consuming more MCT oil.

How to lose the last 10 pounds on keto? ›

The following tips will help.
  1. #1: Track Carbs. The #1 rule of Keto is to restrict carbs. ...
  2. #2: Track Calories. Speaking of tracking macros, you'll also want to track calories to ensure sustainable weight loss. ...
  3. #3: Track Ketones. ...
  4. #4: Prioritize Sleep. ...
  5. #5: Manage Stress. ...
  6. #6: Get Enough Protein. ...
  7. #7: Intermittent fasting.

What are the hardest days of keto? ›

1.The First 10 Days May Be The Toughest

In some cases you may experience mental fog, fatigue, or hunger. An alternative is gradually shift to a paleo-ish or low carb diet before starting full keto. Incorporating lots of healthy fats in your diet will prepare your body to start burning fat for fuel.

Will keto flatten my stomach? ›

Research has shown that ketosis may have several health benefits. One of the biggest benefits of ketosis may be weight loss. The process can help you feel less hungry, which may lead to eating less food. It can help you lose belly fat (visceral fat) while maintaining a lean mass.

What are the golden rules of keto? ›

The basic rules of keto are eating few carbohydrates and emphasizing fat with a moderate intake of protein. In order to be in a state of ketosis, you will likely have to track the amount of carbohydrates you eat by weighing out your food.

What are the don'ts on keto diet? ›

For the most part, legumes, nuts and seeds are foods to avoid on a keto diet. You may include small amounts of raw nuts, like almonds, cashews, walnuts and their associated flours, but be mindful of your intake.

How to speed up weight loss in ketosis? ›

To maximize weight loss on a ketogenic diet, get adequate sleep, reduce stress, be more active and consume whole, nutritious, low-carb foods whenever possible.

What is keto whoosh? ›

These keto dieters say the fat on their body starts to feel softer to the touch. The concept of the whoosh effect is if you stay on the diet long enough, your cells start to release all the water and fat that's thought to have built up. When this process begins, this is called the “whoosh” effect.

How long to lose 20 lbs on keto? ›

Keto Weight Loss Results After 90 Days on Keto

“If the patient can maintain a steady calorie deficit, I expect them to lose one to two pounds per week,” says Dr. Seeman. So after 12 weeks, her clients are usually down around 20-25 pounds.

What happens if I eat no carbs for a month? ›

Severe carb limits can cause your body to break down fat into ketones for energy. This is called ketosis. Ketosis can cause side effects such as bad breath, headache, fatigue and weakness.

How much weight can I lose in 2 weeks on keto? ›

The rate of weight loss on the keto diet without exercise ranges from 1-2 pounds per week. Therefore, if you want to lose significant weight, reaching your goals may take a few months. Exercise is essential to any weight loss plan, as it helps burn calories, build muscle, and improve overall health.

What happens to your body after a week on keto? ›

Anecdotally, people report losses within the first week of anywhere from 1 pound (0.5 kg) to 10 or more pounds (5 kg). The larger you are, the more water weight you're likely to lose after starting keto. Although, it's unlikely that much of this initial weight loss is fat loss.

Why am I not losing weight on keto after 2 weeks? ›

You're eating too many carbs

One of the main reasons people don't lose weight on the ketogenic diet is that they're consuming too many carbs. To reach the state of ketosis — a metabolic state in which your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose — carbohydrate intake must be drastically reduced.

What to expect after 1 month of keto? ›

After a month of keto, you might experience increased energy, hunger suppression, weight loss, and mental clarity.

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