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The ketogenic, (A.K.A LCHF) diet, is without a doubt, one of the most popular eating styles in existence today, and for many interesting reasons.
It claims to provide a number of amazing benefits, like weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, mental clarity, reduced cravings, and more.
It’s truly no surprise why millions of people are interested in it. One of the requirement of the keto diet, is reducing your carb intake, to enable you enter the metabolic state of ketosis.
To do this, you have to focus on consuming foods low in carbs. Things like avocados, cauliflower rice, coconut and its derivatives, and more are usually stapes on keto.
The only issue is, they’re not exactly the cheapest things out there. The cost of these low carb food items may make following the diet on a budget seem difficult.
Except it isn’t, and it doesn’t have to be. In this post, I’ll share some tips on how to follow the keto diet on a budget, as well as 30 amazing keto recipes that are super cheap and easy to make.
From breakfast to lunch to dinner. There’s something for every time of the day. Let’s get right to it.
How To Follow Keto On A Budget
You don’t have to break the bank following the ketogenic diet. There are a couple of things you can do to keep costs low, while still enjoying yummy low carb recipes.
Here are 8 tips that’ll help you follow the keto diet on a budget.
1) Plan your meals ahead
Regardless of the diet or eating plan you’re on, meal planning is something that can help you save a ton of time, and money too.
Planning your meals ahead of time makes it easier to choose meals that fall within your allocated budget.
In addition to that, you won’t fall subject to impulsive, last minute, or hunger-driven buying, which is often more expensive. Also, not everyone has the extra time to spend in the kitchen each day.
Investing in meal prepping can save you a lot of time on the long run, since all you need to do is grab, reheat, and enjoy. And with a good meal structure, you won’t have to worry about things getting boring.
2) Take advantage of the season
If you’re looking to save some more money on keto, taking advantage of the season is definitely one good way to go about it.
It’s no news that a lot of fruits and veggies get cheaper and more available during their season. Taking advantage of this seasonal abundance can help you save a couple of bucks, while still enjoying a variety of yummy foods.
If you’re wondering what produce to eat by season, here’s a rough guide of different fruits and veggies, and the months they’re at their cheapest.
3) Keep things simple
Simplicity is key when it comes to living frugally. Recipes with a shorter ingredient list are more likely to cost less than the ones with longer lists. Not to mention, simpler recipes will be way easier to put together.
But don’t get me wrong. Simple, doesn’t necessarily have to mean boring. Even with a handful of ingredients, you can still prepare low carb meals that are delicious and full of flavor.
For example, here’s a collection of delicious keto dessert recipes you can make with 5 ingredients or less. There are lots of other amazing keto recipes that are simple, yet delicious, and will leave you licking your fingers.
4) More homemade, less packaged
I’ll be honest. Packaged foods can be convenient, and very helpful in some cases. But they often tend to be more expensive too.
If you’re looking to spend less on keto, you may want to look at reducing the amount of packaged foods you purchase. Making these foods at home will often tend to be cheaper.
Things like keto cookies, nut and energy bars, ice cream, and so on, can easily be made at home. Not to mention the benefit of being able to customize these items to your specific taste.
Even other more basic food items can be made at home to keep costs down. For example, getting a block of cheese and grating it yourself is generally cheaper than buying it pre-shredded.
Even things like riced cauliflower, and zoodles can be made at home. Sure, it may take a bit of work, but it’s certainly worth it.
30 Cheap Keto Recipes
Breakfast
1) Baked avocado egg boats
Get the recipe at – Wholesome Yum
2) Keto Breakfast Casserole With Sausage, Egg, And Cheese
Get the recipe at – Green And Keto
3) Keto Breakfast Muffins
Get the recipe at – The Big Man’s World
4) Low-Carb Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Scones
Get the recipe at – Real Balanced
5) Coconut Chocolate Keto Smoothie
Get the recipe at – Beaming Baker
Also See: 20 Delicious Low Carb Keto Breakfasts To Satisfy Your Cravings
6) Keto Cauliflower Hash Browns
Get the recipe at – Keto Connect
7) Low Carb Baked Ham and Egg Cups
Get the recipe at – The Country Cook
8) Keto Chia Pudding
Get the recipe at – Blissfully Low Carb
9) Keto Breakfast Burrito
10) Sausage & Veggie Hash
Get the recipe at – Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Also See: 28 Lazy Keto Recipes That Are Perfect For Beginners
Lunch
11) Keto Taco Salad (with Creamy Dressing)
Get the recipe at – Kasey Trenum
12) Keto Tuna Melt Chaffle
Get the recipe at – Curbing Carbs
13) Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Get the recipe at – Tasty Thin
14) Egg Roll In A Bowl With Spicy Mayo Sauce
Get the recipe at – Just Jessie B
15) Low Carb Lettuce Wraps
Get the recipe at – Life Made Sweeter
Also See: 25 Healthy Meal Prep Lunches For Weight Loss
16) Keto Enchilada In A Bowl
Get the recipe at – The Little Pine
17) Paleo Chicken Burrito Bowls
Get the recipe at – Paleo Running Momma
18) Low Carb Cheesy Chicken And Rice Meal Prep
Get the recipe at – Sweet Peas And Saffron
19) Keto Chicken Gyro Bowl
Get the recipe at – Homemade Interest
20) Cobb Egg Salad
Get the recipe at – Lemon Tree Dwelling
Also See: 25 Yummy And Healthy Keto Salad Recipes To Enjoy
Dinner
21) Keto Blackened Steak Salad
Get the recipe at – Peace, Love And Low Carb
22) Low Carb Pizza Bowl
Get the recipe at – Easy Low Carb
23) Healthy Baked Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Get the recipe at – Real Simple Good
24) Chicken Burrito Bowl Meal Prep
Get the recipe at – Fat For Weight Loss
25) Broccoli Stuffed Chicken
Get the recipe at – Gimme Delicious
Also See: 30 Delicious Keto Dinner Recipes In 30 Minutes Or Less
26) Low Carb Zuppa Toscana
Get the recipe at – Frugal Mom Eh
27) Keto Chicken Alfredo With Zucchini Noodles
Get the recipe at – The Diet Chefs
28) Mediterranean Stuffed Salmon
Get the recipe at – The Roasted Root
29) Low Carb & Keto Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Get the recipe at – The Foodie Physician
30) Low Carb Chicken Fajitas
