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