Have you been considering going keto but think it might be too expensive to stick to? Sadly this is a huge misconception about diet culture! It is actually very easy to follow the keto lifestyle whilst not spending a fortune. It’s mainly just a matter of stripping it back to what ingredients are keto-friendly, affordable and how or where to get cheaper ingredients! That may sound like a lot of hard work, but we’ve done it all for you. So kick back, relax and read on to learn about how to go keto without any financial heartbreak! 

 

How to Follow Keto on a Budget 

1. Skip any fancy overly processed keto-friendly advertised foods.

Most of the foods you’ll find are overly processed and are very pricey. You should approach keto with the intent to mostly eat whole foods. 

It is okay to opt for pre-made keto snacks as long as you check what ingredients are inside and only indulge if you are staying within your carb limit. We found that the market was lacking in keto-friendly treats that were easily accessible, budget-friendly and packed with good ingredients. So we went ahead and brought out a range of Keto and Low Carb Baking Mixes, Mug Cakes and Cake Bites from £2.25 - all of which contain nutritional ingredients such as arrowroot, coconut flour and MCT oil! Even ourPizza Mix makes 4 pizza bases for under 12 pounds - now that’s a bargain.

 

2. Veggies are always cheap and cheerful 

Whole veggies are always great sources of fibre and are very affordable, such as zucchinis and cauliflowers - supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi have great deals!

Avocados

Avocados are a keto staple but can be quite expensive in general. There’s quite a few ways to go around this. Cheaper avocados can always be found in the discounted section of supermarkets! Otherwise, you should opt for getting higher grams of avocado flesh per penny. 

We know that avocados can be a headache to keep ripe. More often than not, learning how to keep them for longer can help you get your money’s worth. Ripen them slower on the counter, faster in a paper bag with a banana and refrigerate ripe avocados for roughly 3 days. Already ripe? Mix them up with other ingredients like hummus to help them stretch a mile further. If your avocado is ripe, simply add a hint of lemon or lime juice to the flesh and freeze in an ice cube tray. 

 

3. Meats can be cheaper if bought in higher quantities and less pricey cuts!

That includes buying a whole chicken or bacon rashers in bulk and freezing what you don’t need for the time being. Then simply defrost and prepare when in need of some meat!

In terms of where to find cheaper meat - this can depend on butchers and supermarkets local to you. A little bit of hunting can help you find the cheapest prices. A handy trick is checking fridges in the supermarket for any reduced items. Whilst the use by date could be for that day, you can easily indulge in a hearty meal that day and freeze the rest. Be sure to store the meat properly - read storage instructions carefully!

Here’s a handy list of some of the cheapest cuts of meat.

 Pork:

• Shank 
• Shoulder
• Belly
• Neck - try in sausages!

Chicken:

• Thighs
• Legs
• Whole chicken 

Lamb cuts:

• Shank
• Scrag End - for stews or soups!

 

4. Soya Beans are a vegan favourite and very affordable

Keto means cutting out the carby beans. We particularly love organic black soya beans as half a cup only contains 1g of net carbs. They are perfect for some mexican-style beans or even as a part of a salad. Have a search online and you should easily be able to find the best deals for a hefty bag of organic soybeans - we found this 1kg for £2.99 of organic soya beans a huge bargain!

Be careful before you go soya crazy - many people are sensitive to soya, leading to side effects that can range from itching to breathing difficulties. Be sure you aren’t one of these people before you start stocking up on soya beans. Some especially in the clean keto community are not fans of soy so definitely make sure you are comfortable with it as a product etc.

 

5. Frozen berries 

On keto, you’re not allowed to have too many fruits, so buying the more expensive, fresh option at supermarkets doesn’t make sense. Instead, try buying a pack of frozen berries - perfect for smoothies or syrups, frozen berries are your best friends when on keto. 

 

6. Eggs, eggs and more eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and contain next to no carbs. Nab a large pack of eggs to get more value for money - usually cheaper supermarkets like Lidl or Aldi are best for this plan of action. Simply scramble or cook into a frittata or poach for an avo toast - you won’t even feel like you’re even on any kind of diet! 

 

7. Let’s go nuts! 

Nuts are low-carb and nutrient-rich - so they’re a perfect snack for those of us on a keto diet. Buying packaged nuts from the supermarket can be expensive so we recommend resorting to buying in bulk or hunting some killer deals. 1kg of cashew nuts will always turn out to be cheaper than smaller packs that contain half the amount! These walnuts from Aldi are also a great deal for the amount of nuts you get!

Want to learn more about nuts? Our blog post covers all about favourite keto friendly nuts and their nutritional benefits!

 

Budget-friendly Shopping List

Here’s a brief summary of must-have keto-friendly ingredients that are affordable! Take this list to your next shop to make sure you’re keeping an eye out for the cheapest keto-friendly options.

Vegetables: 

Spinach, lettuce, asparagus, celery, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cucumber, lettuce, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, arugula, celery, green beans, spaghetti squash - best bought in season, frozen or on sale.

Fats: 

Shredded coconut, almonds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, nut butter spreads, hemp hearts, avocado and olive oil, canned coconut milk, cheese, ghee or butter.

Fruits: 

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, kiwi, plums, raspberries, clementines - best bought in season, frozen or on sale.

Protein: 

Chicken (thighs/legs/whole), pork (shank/shoulder/belly/neck), lamb (shank/scrag end), eggs, cottage cheese, plain full-fat Greek yogurt, organic soya beans.

Category	Ingredients
Vegetables	Spinach, lettuce, asparagus, celery, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cucumber, lettuce, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, arugula, celery, green beans, spaghetti squash - best bought in season, frozen or on sale
Fats	Shredded coconut, almonds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, nut butter spreads, hemp hearts, avocado and olive oil, canned coconut milk, cheese, ghee or butter
Fruits	Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, kiwi, plums, raspberries, clementines - best bought in season, frozen or on sale
Protein	Chicken (thighs/legs/whole), pork (shank/shoulder/belly/neck), lamb (shank/scrag end), eggs, cottage cheese, plain full-fat Greek yogurt, organic soya beans

Key Takeaways

There you have it, keto-friendly ingredients that are affordable and will help transform your keto journey into a breeze. Of course, keto implies cooking much of your own food as store-bought foods or ordering takeaway usually isn’t the best option! This isn’t as much of a hassle as it seems, as you can easily plan your meals in advance or whip up quick dishes. If you need some recipe ideas, read ourblog for some easy meal inspo! 

Finding pre-packaged flavoursome sweet treats or keto bread can be really expensive or near impossible. Trying tobake keto bread or cake can be equally difficult, with so many ingredients to buy and carbs to keep track of. Check out our range of Cake Bites, Baking Mixes and the sweetest bundles for some great value for money treats that will save you plenty of time! Keep an eye out for discounted prices too!

Have you got other tricks and tips up your sleeve for saving money on keto? Comment down below any budget-friendly keto tips!