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