Atkins Diet cost saving tips

The Atkins diet has many health benefits, but it's not exactly easy on the wallet. Fresh meat is one of the most expensive items in the grocery store and if you follow Atkins, you'll have to buy a lot of it. However, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the cost of this low-carb plan.

First of all, be creative in your meal planning. Remember that most diet books are written to entice readers to try new combinations of foods. The recipes in those books contain the most expensive ingredients. You don't have to cook like a professional chef to experience the benefits of the Atkins diet. There are many simple recipes you can make that are within the plan and cost much less than the ones in the diet books. If you adjust the meal plans with the books, you can enjoy the low carb lifestyle with a budget.

One of the most important steps you should take is to buy your meat in bulk. If you stock large quantities of ground beef, chicken and fish, you will save on your protein costs. You can separate the large packs into small freezer bags and freeze them in portions the size of a meal. Two to four chicken breasts in one bag are easy to thaw and make a good meal. You can also cook ground beef in many different types and freeze the cooked portions. Try one portion of the meat with taco herbs, another portion with hamburgers herbs and the third portion with Italian herbs. This way you can use a lot of hamburgers and still have variation in your diet.

Also look for less tender pieces of meat to reduce the costs in your grocery store. Filet mignon may be tasty, but it doesn't fit every budget. Less tender cuts of beef and pork make excellent crock-pot meals, and using a slow cooker will help to make them more tender.

Look for alternative sources of protein like eggs and tofu. Both items contain a powerful protein punch for a fraction of the price of meat. Nuts are also a great source of protein, but they can quickly become expensive. Some recipes require expensive macadamia nuts and cashew nuts. Walnuts, peanuts and almonds contain the same amount of protein for a fraction of the cost.

Mixed vegetable salads make up a large part of your daily Atkins meals. While it can be tempting to buy a bagged salad that's already minced, you're going to pay $2 to $3 per bag. You can buy three cups of different types of lettuce for the same cost and make the equivalent of six bags of pre-packed salad. Also consider investing in a lettuce spinner. This handy device will make homemade salads crispy and satisfying.

Be creative with your menus and use products and meats for sale. If you have a recipe that calls for chicken breasts and turkey, replace it this week. Make sure you have an acceptable food list with you at the grocery store, so you can see if a sale food is a good replacement on the Atkins plan.

When you go to the store, you can also save costs by limiting your purchase of packaged low-carb foods. These items are really expensive, and sometimes full of harmful chemicals. They can also contain hidden carbohydrates that can slow down your weight loss efforts. The Atkins plan can be effectively followed without using any of these products. Unless it's a special occasion, skip them all.

Finally, it is best to plan your meals and your groceries so that you can buy your groceries effectively. If you go to the grocery store unprepared or, even worse, if you are hungry, it could be a disaster for your budget. Plan the menu every week in advance and on time and then buy what you need to make those meals.