Admitting you need to lose weight is the first step to making this change. Building up the courage to start is another. But what happens when you realize your grocery bill is increasing because a lot of what you were eating was cheap, processed foods You budget.
Just like any other area of your life that needs an overhaul, there is some planning involved that could help offset the cost of buying food that is nourishing for your body.
5 Ways to Eat Keto on a Budget
Buy in Bulk.
This can feel like a huge expense when you begin, but over time and as you use up the foods you’ve purchased, you’ll realize you’re actually saving money long term. Bulk items are often cheaper than the smaller packaged items, and you are often left with less packaging. If saving the environment is important to you, this is a step that shouldn’t be missed. Items I think are best bought in bulk are eggs, nuts, beans, oils, and even meat! Anything that is non-perishable or items you can freeze are perfect for bulk purchases. Especially meat!
Skip already prepared Keto foods.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of buying for convenience. When I began my Keto journey there weren’t that many keto friendly foods that I could buy that were already prepared. This is where I learned to cook, and have come to enjoy it. But aside from that, prepared foods sometimes come with preservatives, and often come at a high price. I still love the convenience of some things, like snacks to travel with and bone broth. But to be honest, I realized that bone broth can be expensive and time consuming to make, so I think buying it just makes more sense for me (plus, I can’t match Kettle and Fire’s recipe).
Plan those meals!
Meal and Keto diet planning really has been my saving grace. When meals are planned; the preparation, thought, and work are put to rest. Plus, there is so much less wasted food when meals are prepared ahead of time. Whether you prepare by making and packing your meals for the week, or start with menu planning, you will save money, time and stress! My Facebook group will give you access to meal plans, meal prep ideas, and recipe’s – so don’t skip out on this part!
Which leads to my next point …
Join an online community!
This is a great way to have some accountability, share recipes, get links to online sales, easily get new ideas to save time and money, and share your progress. When I think of my journey to losing over a hundred pounds and regaining my health, I know I couldn’t have continued to maintain my healthiest body weight without a community. My Ucanketo group has been my biggest source of inspiration and accountability. The expenses involved in changing the way you eat can easily become an excuse to stop, but this community has kept myself, and nearly 70 thousand others going!
Buy frozen over fresh produce.
When produce isn’t in season it’s higher priced and lower quality. Things like keto-friendly berries, cauliflower and broccoli are much more affordable and easy to use frozen. Plus, produce that is frozen still contains it’s nutrient values so they are still just as nutritious.
These are my top recommendations for budget friendly Keto living. I hope you have found something you can work with that will make this journey one you can stick with!
Amy XO
p.s. Make sure you’ve downloaded my Keto Guide to help YOU get started (or restart) on your Keto Journey
Great suggestions, I am struggling with cost and convenience. Try Factor keto dinners but found they were not true keto and caused my weight loss to stall. I think if I buy in bulk and plan ahead I can hopefully get back on track
Great tips!
These are all great tips. I have found that what works for me is definitely planning ahead. I usually have very busy work weeks, so I dont want to have to put a lot of thought into what I’m eating every meal. I have BPC for breakfast. On Sunday I meal prep all my lunches for the week ahead, and plan out my dinners. I then put everything into carb manager and make any adjusts needed. That way I know without even thinking about it that I am on track. Weekends I am a little more free wheeling with my meals.
Awesome suggestions!
Thank you!
I am restarting Keto again and needed this boost.
Thanks Amy for all you do . I am down 26 pounds and all thanks to you
Thank you for all your honesty and help.
Awesome idea about the frozen off season fruits and veggies!!
Never thought to do that, thanks!
This information was extremely helpful, as I was making it so much harder then it should be to start! Thank you!!
Excellent tips
Thank you
Thank you so much Amy.
Just what I needed to get back on track 👌❤
Thank you for all you do!
I need to get better at meal planning
Thank you. I am having lil difficulty getting my protien and fat all in. But I will keep trying.
Thank you.
Thank you. Enjoy any help
Thank you, these are some great reminders of how to be budget conscious and successful. I appreciate it.
Thank you so much 😊
Thank you for all you do🤗
I need to practice better meal planning for sure
Thank you Amy! I have fallen off since this Covid mess and l’m struggling to get back on. This is helpful!
I appreciate you sending the blog over email. I do not participate on Facebook. I feel sometimes that I am missing out on a lot of information, tips, recipes and support.
Great information! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your helpful tips!
Thank you for all you do to help others fight this battle. You time and efforts are appreciated. I do meal prep every week. I need help finding more dairy free options. I’m on month 23 and really believe this will be a way of life. I feel much better since starting this way of eating.
Thanks so much! I’ve gained all my weight back, and struggling to get started back. I think meal planning could be what saves me. Thank you Amy for all you do!
Great tips! Pee planning meals makes such a huge difference for me!
Thank you Amy !
You have helped me on my keto journey. I have lost 30 kg in total. ♥️
Frozen produce is definitely a budget saver. I learned from you to plan ahead and I do.
Thanks for the help.
Great information like always Amy, but It’s double work for me to meal plan cause no one else likes Keto Lifestyle in my house like I do it. So I have to prepare 2 different meals everyday……
Great advice. I cook every day especially now with Covid and found that frozen fruits and vegetables are the best bargains.
Thanks
Thanks for posting these! I’m cooking and meal prepping more. It helps when I’m tired and don’t feel like cooking. Being able to grab a Keto healthy meal or snack from the refrigerator is great!
Thank you!
Being on a fixed budget makes ot a little harder to get the foods you need. Been there, done that. I have managed to keto on around $200 a month. These are great tips. As Amy said, the first purchases are the most expensive. Once you have those, the rest of the time is easier. I get meats on sale and vacuum seal so they last longer in the freezer. Family packs of meat are a great deal but, being just one person, I can separate into single serve size and it works great. Frozen berries and veggies can be done the same way. Eliminating freezer burn is key. I love my food saver!!
Great tips! Thank you for all you do.
Amy, Thank you for the information. As usual it’s great to hear from you. I look forward to more of your encouragement. I have hit a wall due to everything taking place in my life right now. I will keep trying and your story is my inspiration.
Hello Amy! I try to eat healthy but I have CHF so can’t have some of the foods due to salt like bacon would love to do the 3 day kick but I can not have the sodium. Wish you had alternatives for people like me.
Thank you so much. You gave great ideas like the frozen food. Just makes more sense so as not to have to throw away the wilted and dead food you should have cooked. I am making my own bone broth just because I am trying to up the nutrition for my dog. He gets the chicken, I get the bone broth.
Thanks Amy! These are great starting points
Great tips. I especially love #2. Have learned Keto cooking is really quite easy and nutritious. I always have at least 2 meals from one recipe.
I have found eating a keto diet is cheaper because i am not buying all the snacks and convenience foods
oh Dear Amy ,
i thank u for this cause im truly on a shinking buget thank you thank u
Great tips Amy. As a senior and living on a fixed income, I look to save money wherever I can. Appreciate your concern and interest in all us budget buyers!!!!
Thanks for all you share.
I appreciate the Ucanketo family and all you’ve done to make it easier for all of us.
So happy to have found you!
This is a great help, thank you for it and all you do for us on the Keto Plan
Thank my dear Amy this was very helpful and i intend to give it my all
A lot of keto items can be used for a long time, so even though they mean expensive they will last! Like almond flour, MCT oil, Himalayan pink salt, nut butters, etc.
Fabulous fabulous tips many thanks .. Suzanne from Australia
Thanh you so much for the tips and all you do! I appreciate it very much!
Meal prepping is my greatest thing. Planning ahead helps me NOT cheat.
Great tips 👍😊
Frozen over fresh??? Game changer. Thank you for all you do.
This is great information thank you
Thank you!!💜
Good points I don’t care for frozen berries but I need to retry them.
Great advice. I do a lot of meal prepping that really helps the budget.
Hi Amy! I like the Keto on a budget advice – especially the “buy frozen” one. I’ve been buying fresh but it means I run to the store almost daily. It’s close to me, so that’s not a problem. But buying on impulse is!!! I’m currently stuck at a weight loss of 34# since December. And I was doing so well! This is what got me off-track: 1) Thanksgiving. 2) Two weeks later – my Birthday. 3) Another 2 weeks and it’s Christmas!!!! And while I haven’t gained any weight back (yea), my body is certainly not in ketosis any more! Why is it so hard to restart? My husband and I both like the recipes you provide – they are delish!! Thank you for all you do and a shout out to my friend Joann Peck who told me about your group and got me started.
Hi Amy. Thank you and your admins for everything you do, for FREE, to help others. You are Angels here on earth. I have been a start, stop, start again person for many months now. Please tell me again the places I should look at on the FB page to get myself going again with all the tools. Thank you!
This is great information to be able to start anyone’s keto journey successfully. I will definitely be sharing this with other’s. I love the thought of buying veggies and meats I bulk. I love meal planning, but I have to admit, I have to keep reminding myself to keep it simple. Thanks again Amy, I am truly grateful and appreciate you and the Ucanketo group.
Thank you for your help and knowledge of my keto journey.
Thank you for the Keto on a Budget suggestions. Planning clearly will be my priority of all. Going to gave to Plan the Planning time…
I struggle to make most keto meals because of the ingredients in them. I don’t like having to go buy a pricy item to make one meal with that I may or may not like. I need keto on a budget that doesn’t require weird or expensive items
Thank you Amy for all of these great tips. I live in Canada and we have limited Keto friendly options, however since I started the Keto way of living 3 years ago and 120 pounds lighter the tips you have provided have and continue to help me on my journey!! XXOO
Thank you for always giving great advice!
Thank you Amy for all that you do!
Thank you so much for all your tips and help.
Thank you Amy!
Thanks Amy, great info.
I just want to thank you so much for all you do. 4 years ago I started following you. I lost 84lbs in 9 months and was on top of the world. I allowed life events to take back over and I ate emotionally all the way back up the scale. Then 2020 I lost my Mom in January, my husband in March, then Covid consumed our world. I have had enough and I restarted my journey again on January 17th this year. I know what you teach us works and I’m driving back in this time and making it my way of life not just to lose the weight. I’ve lost 20lbs so far. I’m doing a kickstart now to further my focus on my journey. I just wanted you to know how very appreciative I am of you and your team. I know with you, your circle and the members of this group I will succeed. Back to the basics! I’m looking forward to this journey.
An easy trick for me is I make up omelettes in ziplock bags ahead of time and it is an easy nutritious meal.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom Amy!! Its a little like my second job staying on top of all the information, but without you and your team, I couldn’t be successful on my journey. I am so truly blessed for finding the UCANKETO group. I pray you are richly blessed for everything thing you give to the group!!
I think meal planning is the best thing. You don’t grab something quick, when you have a plan.
And the UCANKETO. group is filled with lots of information and ideas.
Thanks Amy.
Very good and solid recommendations! Thank you!
I appreciate the tips Amy, Thank you. I’m gonna snapshot it so I can reread anytime.
Having problems with downloading
Great article and much needed information! Thank you for this.
I think your suggestions are spot on. I like to plan my meals and find if we eat a good lunch, we don’t eat much at dinner time. I think I spend less per month by not buying all the carb treats. Yes, Keto friendly ingredients are expensive but it’s worth it for your health. We are retired, so we can eat our big meal at noon.
Thank you for sharing
I have been keto for 2 years love my new woe !
I even got my sister on board we share recipes yes love to cook and keto cooking we do
Thank you again 💜
I love buying in bulk, and I’m really glad to hear you say buy frozen over fresh when out of season. I always hear fresh is best, which I know it is, but sometimes it’s not a viable option. Thank you Amy!!
I do all these but meal planning is the hardest for me. But you are correct, when I have meal plans thought about what to buy and what to prepare is nil. Also know what to take out ahead of time.
Love these ideas. I have started buying avocados when on sale and then cutting them and freezing them. Then put in small bags and freeze. Then I can just get one out each day and they are fresh. I used to have to throw a lot of halves away. Do appreciate everything you do for us.
Great tips love
So thankful
Awesome advice, especially about the prepared meals, they seem easier but are more costly
Thank You Amy!
Easy read! Thank you 😊
I do need to have you around to keep me in check.
And keep feeling good about myself!
Good ideas, I sometime make extra meals and freeze them and have some extras when I don’t want to cook
Great suggestions thanks. I have found that meal planning and then prepping on weekends really helps me avoid impulse eating.
I keep it simple. Frozen shrimp or fish and vegetables. I grew spinach last summer and have lots of bags in my freezer. When strawberries are on sale I stock up. Slice them and put in baggies to freeze. If I need a snack shake out a few and add HWC. Yum
My struggle has always been meal planning & recipes for stuff I can feed the whole family. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you for always sharing..
All of this was good informations Amy! Thank you so much all you do for us! I try to meal prep on Sundays. Most of mine are things I can grab a bite or two of during the day between meals.
Thank you for this and everything you help us with! I often use ready made “keto” products for the convenience . I’m learning not all is bad, but to definitely read the nutrition on the bad and the ingredients. You are definitely helping me to be more aware of what goes in my mouth
Good tips to follow. Thanks!
Thanks for the tips. I appreciate you.
Thank you for all the info on ways to save and menus.
Great information, thank you for sharing!
Good ideas!! I really enjoy the insight it helps me fill not so alone in this journey!!
Thank you Amy for these great tips and for your inspiration!
Great suggestions! Thank you! I also take advantage of items on sale and stock up when appropriate.
Great tips! Thank you Amy, I really struggle with cost! I will try Buying in bulk.
Thank you for this blog
It helps keeping on track and also encouraging other people that I know this keto is all possible and affordable
Great ideas and tips! Thank you for all your kindness and wisdom, Amy 💕
I appreciate everything you do so much.
Thank you!
Great tips!!!!! Love the frozen fruit tip!!! Going to head to Costco to buy bulk as soon as this snow melts!! Thanks!!!
I usually check out the mark down meats and vegetables and go from there. I can eat the same thing often as long as it is tasty. I love all the recipes you give us. Thank you for all your help.
Thank you Amy for the suggestions. When I started Keto my budget didn’t allow me to clear the house of contraband and start fresh. I used your menus to plan Keto only shopping trips as I used up the non Keto foods in the house. Over time I created my clean pantry as I added new recipes and shopped ONLY for the recipe ingredients. The money I save by not buying snacks, soda, gluten, and processed foods allows me to purchase better quality organic food on the same budget.
All good ideas, Amy!
Not only can you buy in bulk, but you can make some items in ‘bulk,’ so to speak. I make a dozen egg cups at a time and freeze three bags of four cups. My husband eats two cups every morning and they are so handy for him to pop in the microwave.
Thanks Amy, great information. I appreciated the article! You are too sweet.
These are great tips! I did so much better on my journey before I started on pre-packaged keto stuff. It’s highly addictive as all processed food made by the food industry!
Thanks Amy,You just keep improving with time. This is a game changer.
Thanks for continually working to help us. I have found this group to be the best thing I have ever done for my weight and my health other than becoming a Christian. Thanks
Great tips. I can see the need to meal prep even though I am quite a procrastinator.
Thank you Amy for the blog and recommendations for budgeting while on Keto.
The frozen vegetables and fruits is a perfect recommendation..especially in the snow ridden Midwest!
Thank you for always offering your knowledge and for being a fantastic cheerleader
Just wanted to say thank you for all you do.
Great advice ! Thank you
I love your freeze items purchased in bulk. I just purchased an upright freezer to made it even easier to access my foods.
I love your idea of freeze items purchased in bulk. I just purchased an upright freezer to make it even easier to access my foods.
Thanks Amy for all the great tips! Also for all you do for all of us in this great community!
great info for a beginner and an gentle reminder for some of us…thanks
Thank you for sharing! I appreciate you and all you do to help others on their Keto journey. These are some great tips.
Thanks for the tips
Great advice! I have a bad habit of buying entirely too much fresh produce, and it usually goes bad and winds up in the trash. So wasteful! I need to stick to frozen vegetables. I also need to start keeping cooked, healthy meals and snacks ready to eat,instead of relying on fast food and processed snacks. Thank you. You are very helpful and motivating
I agree with all that you’re suggesting. One thing I’d like to share is a way to keep avocados fresh for a couple weeks! I let my avocados sit out to get them to a ripeness I prefer. Then I wrap each avocado in tin foil and put them in the fridge. Yes, sounds absolutely NUTS, I know, but it really works! I’ve had avocados last a couple week this way and don’t have to throw them away. I think frozen avocados are disgusting, and I can still keep them longer and eat them the way I like.
Thank you for sharing knowledge is power
Great suggestions. I’ve been on my keto journey off and on for over a year lost 30lbs but gained a few back. I’m going to buy a dry erase board today and start doing a weekly menu. I’m a visual planner(make my to do list every morning while drinking my coffee)! Thanks for all you and the team do!
Thank you Amy. I have learned so much from you and the FB group in meal planning and meal prep. I convert a lot of preketo family meals and do keto freezer prep meals that can be dropped in the crockpot or instant pot on busy days. This way there is no excuse to reach for the prepackaged “keto friendly” options. Thanks again for always being there for us!
Thank you for all your honesty and help. Enjoy my keto lifestyle
Amy, You do such a good job at providing helpful information on keto. Thank you for the tips and I especially like your start/restart guide. It is really helpful to beginners and others to restart. Thank you for all you do. I really appreciate it!
Great ideas! It’s so hard to get started and to stay with it. These ideas should really help. Thank you.
Hi Amy,
I have been wanting to do Keto, but just can’t get motivated to start. I am 100 lbs overweight and 75 yrs of age.
Awesome information Thanks Amy!
Thanks so much
Good ideas, great recipes, hubby is happy with the food, easy to make, great flavour, wonder advice, amazing people on this site! Couldn’t ask for any better. Thank you
Very Helpful tricks. I just need to do better
Oh this is perfect because I have fallen off the wagon. Thanks you are so awesome!
I really appreciate all that you do to help us.
Thanks Amy. I definitely need to get more consistent with meal planning.
Thanks for the information
Thanks so much for the tips. You and your team are the BEST!!!!
Such good information and a great reminder. THANK-YOU!!
I buy fruits and veggies in bulk at the end of summer and prep and freeze then the prices are low – eg, $0.98 per pound for peppers in Aug as opposed to $3.99 in Feb! Squash, green beans, peppers, onions, avocados, tomatoes, etc. are great – and so easy to pull out a few pieces, maybe for an omelet, or to sauté for fajitas, etc. And nothing beats the taste of Christmas gravy made from tomatoes frozen fresh from the garden (except canned and I don’t know how to do that!). I put them in zip lock bags and lie them flat in the freezer – soups and stews too.
So appreciate all you do Amy and crew!
Thank you!
Planning is the key!! I spend more money on fast food and junk food before Keto. Now I use my money healthy foods.
Great article and love the tips!
Thank you for all your advice. Great tips. Very much appreciated.
Thank you for the suggestions. I always thought that frozen veggies were not a good option (I really don’t know why) But now, I am going to keep this in mind when I shop. I would save so much just on food not going bad before I get to it.
Trying to get back on the keto train and actually stay on it! This is helpful.
This is a great reminder of meal prepping, thanks Amy!
An ideal way to take advantage of sales, bulk bargains, and harvest crops, they’re also perfect for those looking to preserve large catches of fish and game.