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 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.

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.

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.

How do I stick to keto and not cheat? ›

Stick with your low-carb lifestyle during the day and only consider eating carbs after dinner. This helps in two ways – it limits the window for cheating and keeps your body in low-carb mode for the majority of the day.

What are the don'ts on keto diet? ›

Legumes, Dairy and Grain

Legumes, dairy (except for grass-fed butter or ghee) and all grains should be avoided on the keto diet.

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 are 5 bad things about keto diet? ›

The keto diet could cause low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation, nutrient deficiencies and an increased risk of heart disease. Strict diets like keto could also cause social isolation or disordered eating. Keto is not safe for those with any conditions involving their pancreas, liver, thyroid or gallbladder.

What will ruin ketosis? ›

Sugar and sweetened beverages. Too much fruit. Processed meats (these often have hidden sugars) Fat-free and low-fat dairy (too much lactose, which is a dairy sugar)

Can cheese knock you out of ketosis? ›

Any type of cheese can be included on the keto diet, as long as total dietary carbohydrate intake remains low enough to keep the body in nutritional ketosis (using stored fat instead of carbohydrate to fuel the brain and body).

How long to lose 20 lbs 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 is the 30 30 30 rule for weight loss? ›

The 30-30-30 rule involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity, steady state cardiovascular exercise. Beyond these steps, the 30-30-30 method doesn't require any changes to other meals or behaviors, restrictions or counting calories.

What is keto whoosh? ›

The “whoosh effect” is a term for the noticeable weight loss that some people report while following low carb diets such as a keto diet. Some people believe that the whoosh effect happens when fat cells lose fat and fill with water. Researchers have not scientifically proven the whoosh effect, however.

Can I have pizza on keto cheat day? ›

Instead, a successful keto cheat day should have some limitations. Make your cheat meal keto-friendly: Instead of eating a whole box of pizza or a tray of chocolate chip cookies on your cheat day, opt for keto-friendly alternatives like pork rinds — you won't even know the difference.

Will one slice of pizza take you out of ketosis? ›

Regular Crust

This type of pizza crust can have up to 33g of carbs without any added sauce or cheese. If you're limiting your carbs to 20-50 grams per day, one slice of this type of crust will likely kick you out of ketosis.

Will one chip ruin ketosis? ›

Chips, crackers, cookies and snack foods are all off-limits on the keto diet. Low in fiber and high in carbs, these items do not support the goal of keto eating, aka reducing carbs enough to stay in ketosis and burn stored fat.

How to get the best results on keto? ›

18 Tips & Tricks for Success on the Keto Diet
  1. Plan Your Meals Ahead Of Time. Make sure you have enough keto foods to easily get through the first week or two of the diet. ...
  2. Decrease Carbs. Duh! ...
  3. Hydrate and Replenish Electrolytes. ...
  4. Monitor Your Macros. ...
  5. Include Variety. ...
  6. Get Regular Exercise. ...
  7. Sleep Well. ...
  8. Prepare for the 'Keto Flu'
Apr 17, 2024

What is the simplest way to do keto? ›

Following a ketogenic diet is the most effective way to enter ketosis. Generally, this involves limiting carb consumption to around 20 to 50 grams per day and filling up on fats, such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and healthy oils ( 6 ). It's also important to moderate your protein consumption.

What are the golden rules of keto? ›

Aim to get about 70–80% of your daily calories from fat sources and make sure to consume enough omega-3 fatty acids from sources such as salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds. By eating enough healthy fat, you'll have more energy and be able to stay in ketosis more easily.

How do people lose weight so fast on keto? ›

Most of the body's cells prefer to use blood sugar (glucose) as their main source of energy. The keto diet forces your body to use a different type of fuel. Instead of providing your body with glucose from carbohydrates, the keto diet relies on the liver to break down stored fat into molecules called ketones.

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