Many people fear that the Paleo Diet is out of their reach because they think it’s too expensive. Let me share with you why it is a misconception and how anyone can adopt the Paleo lifestyle.

How you can go Paleo on a budget

First, if you are not sure what the Paleo Diet is all about, sign up for my free Paleo for Beginners course. You will learn everything you need to know.

Myths about the Paleo Diet

Before we get into my best types for eating Paleo on a budget, I want to explore a few of the myths that are leading you to believe that the Paleo Diet is too expensive.

1. The Paleo Diet is high protein

Meat is expensive, particularly quality meat. Unfortunately, many people assume that the Paleo Diet is all about meat. After all, you got to substitute something for those grains, right? Yes, for sure, but substitute them for veggies instead. Your body will thank you and so will your budget.

2. The Paleo Diet requires all kinds of fancy ingredients

Yes, you could buy coconut flour, almond flour cassava flour, konjac noodles, gelatin, MTC oil, etc. But you don’t have to. You can eat inexpensive veggies and cuts of meat.

3. The Paleo Diet requires you to eat the best of everything.

It is better to buy high-quality meat and organic veggies, but let me reassure you: there is not Paleo police! You will benefit from eating this way even if you can’t buy all organic.

How you can eat Paleo on a budget

1. Check your mindset: I am amazed at how many people who eat out regularly and go on expensive family vacation will balk at spending $200 on quality supplements or on buying better quality foods. Your health is an investment and being sick costs you in term of time, energy and sometimes financially.
2. Eat less meat: Many of us feel the need to eat meat at most meals to feel satisfied. Quality meat has excellent benefits, but it’s better to decrease your consumption of meat than to buy the conventionally raised meats. To help you feel more satisfied after meals and not crave foods between meals, I recommend you try Chia seeds. Using Chia seeds daily made a difference for me. Just a word of caution: not all Chia seeds are created equal. I didn’t notice a massive improvement until I started buying micro sliced Chia seeds from varieties grown near the equator. I discovered that Chia seeds from different climates offer different benefits. You might feel skeptical about that, and I understand, I did not believe it at first. Until I tried it!
3. Know your prices: You will be able to find the same products for much cheaper depending on where you buy them. Prices will vary depending on the seasons and your location, but I have created a useful template as a guide. Again, you can access it in my course.
4. Pick your organics: You probably have heard of the dirty dozen and the clean fifteen. The dirty dozen have the most pesticide residue. Start by buying the organic version of the produces listed in the dirty dozen. The 2018 Dirty Dozen List included: strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery, potatoes, and sweet bell peppers. The clean fifteen are the ones with the least pesticide residue. They include avocados, sweet corn, pineapple, cabbage, onions, sweet peas, papayas, asparagus, mangoes, eggplants, honeydews, kiwis, cantaloupes, cauliflower, and broccoli.
5. Buy in bulk: Buying in bulk usually means long term savings. I buy most of our groceries from Costco. Bulk stores are usually the best place for some of the paleo flours and sweeteners. You can also receive discounts when you shop online and buy more. Amazon offers discounts and iHerbs does too (my two favorite online shops).
6. Avoid recipes: If you want to get inspired and try amazing dishes, go for it! I love recipe books, and I use recipes every single week. However, if your primary goal is to save money, do yourself a favor and just cook simply. A roast chicken, some baked fish, or ground meat with a side of roasted veggies or a salad is all you need. Honestly, none of these require recipes, and none of these will break the bank.
7. Choose cheap cuts of meat and buy bone-in: I purchase our meat from Butcher Box. I buy mostly ground beef, ground turkey and some chicken breasts (not the cheapest cut, but a treat we enjoy). The meat is of the highest quality, it’s delivered right at your door, and you can pick any cut you like. The prices are fantastic for the meat you get, and you can get a further discount by ordering every three months instead of every month. Organ meat is another excellent option, it is cheap and nutrient dense.
8. Buy frozen fruits and vegetables: Frozen fruits and vegetables are economical and nutritious. They are frozen at their peak when they were ripe.
9. Don’t grow a garden: Haha! Just kidding! Well, maybe not! If you think you will save money by growing a garden, you might be disappointed. The cost of the garden supplies, the seeds, the plants, etc. all add up. I spend hundreds of dollars on my garden each year and don’t get much of a harvest (not enough to preserve for my family of 9). I also find that the produce is so cheap when it’s harvest time, I end up buying in bulk from the grocery store to freeze some. However, keep in mind that the quality of the produce from your garden cannot be paralleled

I hope you found these tips to go Paleo on a Budget useful. I have tried a lot of different things over the years, and have learned lots of different ways to save money. Just one more thing: watch your prices and experiment. Make a note of how much you spend each week, see if you can decrease the amount. Try different sources for different products, compare. Just remember: your health is an investment, not an expense.