| The Atkins diet has a lot of health benefits, | | | | Look to alternative protein sources like eggs |
| but it is not exactly easy on the wallet. | | | | and tofu. Both of these items pack a powerful |
| Fresh meats are some of the most expensive | | | | protein punch for a fraction of the cost of |
| items in the grocery store and when you | | | | meats. Nuts are a great protein source as |
| follow Atkins, you'll need to purchase a lot | | | | well, but they can become expensive very |
| of them. However, there are simple steps that | | | | quickly. Some recipes call for expensive |
| you can take to cut costs on this low-carb | | | | macadamia nuts and cashews. Walnuts, peanuts |
| plan. | | | | and almonds contain just as much protein for |
| | | | a fraction of the cost. |
| First of all, be creative in your meal | | | | |
| planning. Remember that most diet books and | | | | Mixed vegetable salads will make a large |
| written to entice readers to try new | | | | portion of your daily Atkins meals. While it |
| combinations of foods. The recipes within | | | | may be tempting to buy bagged salad that is |
| those books contain the most expensive | | | | already chopped, you are going to be paying |
| ingredients. You don't have to cook like a | | | | $2 to $3 per bag. You can buy three heads of |
| professional chef in order to be able to | | | | different types of lettuce for the same cost |
| experience the benefits of the Atkins diet. | | | | and make the equivalent of six bags of |
| There are many simple recipes that you can | | | | prepackaged salad. Also, consider investing |
| make that are within the plan and cost much | | | | in a salad spinner. This handy device will |
| less than the ones shown in the diet books. | | | | make homemade salads crispy and satisfying. |
| If you modify the meal plans with the books, | | | | |
| you can enjoy the low carb lifestyle on a | | | | Be creative with your menus and use produce |
| budget. | | | | and meats that are on sale. If you've got a |
| | | | recipe that calls for chicken breasts and |
| One of the most important steps to take is to | | | | turkey happens to be on sale, go ahead and |
| buy your meats in bulk. When you stock up on | | | | substitute this week. Make sure to carry an |
| large packages of ground beef, chicken and | | | | acceptable food list with you the grocery |
| fish you cut down on your protein costs. You | | | | store so you can tell whether a sale food is |
| can separate the large packages into small | | | | an okay substitution on the Atkins plan. |
| freezer bags and freeze them in meal-sized | | | | |
| portions. Two to four chicken breasts in a | | | | When you go to the store, you can also cut |
| bag are easy to defrost and make a good-sized | | | | costs by limiting your purchase of low-carb |
| meal. You can also cook ground beef in many | | | | packaged foods. These items are really |
| different varieties and freeze the cooked | | | | expensive, and sometimes full of harmful |
| portions. Try doing a portion of the meat | | | | chemicals. They may also contain hidden carbs |
| with taco spices, another portion with | | | | which can stall your weight loss efforts. The |
| hamburger spices and the third portion with | | | | Atkins plan can be effectively followed |
| Italian spices. That way you'll be able to | | | | without using any of these products. Unless |
| use lots of hamburger meat and still have | | | | it's a special occasion, skip them all |
| variety in your diet. | | | | together. |
| | | | |
| Also, look at less tender cuts of meat to | | | | Finally, its best to plan your meals and your |
| trim costs in your grocery money. While | | | | shopping trips so you can buy your groceries |
| fillet mignon may be tasty, it doesn't fit | | | | in an effective manner. Going to the grocery |
| into every budget. Less tender cuts of beef | | | | store unprepared or, even worse, hungry can |
| and pork make excellent crock-pot meals, and | | | | spell disaster for your budget. Plan each |
| using a slow cooker will help tenderize them. | | | | week's menu out ahead and time and then buy |
| | | | what you need to make those meals. |