Atkins on A Very Tight Budget-Can it be Done?

[SlimWithin26]

Hello everyone. I really want to do Atkins and stick to it. But I am on a very tight budget.

A little about my story and motivation...I have always been overweight since I was a child. I think I've tried so many methods to lose weight I've lost count. I'm tired of the roller coaster ride and want to get on the right path to weightloss for good. I've always wanted to lose weight to be as healthy as I could be but never stayed motivated to do so. But now I am motivated to make this change for life.

My reason for wanting to get healthy is a very important one. I went back home to VA in August to help my Dad find an assisted living facility as his doctors said he was unable to live by himself. He has diabetes and had to have part of his leg amputated about 2 years ago. We were unable to find a suitable facility in VA so we decided he would come back to Texas with me. On our way to Texas, my Dad had a majore stroke while in my car. He went into cardiac arrest and almost died. It was the scarest thing I ever witnessed in my entire life. By the grace of God, he pulled through, and after being in the hospital and therapy facility for over two months, he is scheduled to be released at the end of the month. But he will never be able to be left by himself. So he will be coming to live with me.

I want to get healthy because I need to be for him and myself. The problem is that I am on a very tight budget trying to make preparations for him to come live with me. My question to you all, is can Atkins be done on a very tight budget. And if so, can you give me a list of foods to get. I want to start tomorrow. So anything you can think of would be great.

Thank you in advance.

[thisisrightnow]

Indeed. My parents give me $40 every two weeks and I go to Aldi's and buy all my low carb foods. Of course $40 doesn't last me the 2 weeks entirely but I could probably get by on like $50-$60 every 2 weeks.

I pretty much get nothing but veggies, meats, eggs, and then my condiments/extras I would need to eat such foods.

What I usually get consists of lettuce, tomatoes, ranch/caesar dressing, cauliflower, eggs, hamburger, chicken, shrimp, bags of broccoli/green beans, tuna, cheese, bacon, sausage links, butter, sauces, mayo/ketchup (just when I run out though), apples, peanut butter.

I am a pretty simple person. I mostly eat induction foods. I eat a lot of the same foods over and over, but I can't say I really get tired of them.

[hubcityraider]

I have a post somewhere in the Lounge talking about my "Diet and Debt" plan with Dr Atkins and Dave Ramsey.

During my 3 or 4 weeks of strict induction, it felt like I was spending more money because just to get through it I had to make sure to love the food. So I ate a bunch of steaks and nice salads, and went to Hooters for nekked wings, etc. I was so accustomed to eating out that I had to find ways to eat out while staying on plan. But after about a month, Atkins was saving me hundreds of dollars per month. I rarely eat out at all anymore. Mainly because I'm not hungry, I'm on a budget, and it's not worth it. I also don't splurge as much at the grocery store. Pork chops and chicken are not expensive. Lettuce with ranch is not expensive, cans of green beans are not expensive.

It may take a bit to settle in, but ultimately Atkins saves my wife and me a whole boat load of money.

[poopsie2223]

Yep, it can be done on a budget particularly if you stay away from processed low carb Frankenfoods. Eggs, chicken, beef and pork, and veggies fresh or frozen are good staples. Look for good buys on cheese (not processed, though) and fish and shellfish on sale.

[Indychick829]

absolutely!!! I actually took somewhat of a paycut recently when i got promoted to a higher paying job (wha???). My last position (same company) was hourly and I used to work TONS of time and a half overtime...now that I'm in 'training' for my new job - I'm salary, but that means NO overtime...so until I'm actually promoted again to the full position (and get my true jump in salary), I took somewhat of a paycut and it's really hurting us...

Seriously lost about $400-$500 / month in my overtime alone...(but will thankfully have that back in 4 more months)...ANYWHOO - until then I've REALLY had to buckle down on groceries.

One thing, for me, is that I really prefer to buy/eat grass-fed meat, free range eggs/chicken, etc...however, when you're on a tight budget you really don't have that choice.

The best meat I've found is Sam's club - we buy in bulk once a month - about $70 in meat for the full month (did this last month and this month). We are lucky enough to have a deep freezer and I also have one of those kitchen gadgets where you can suck all the air out of the bag and freeze meat that way...so THAT is def. an option if you have one of those "seal-a-meals" and a deep freezer.

IF however you do NOT have that option (or don't have a sams/cosco nearby) - then buy what you can when it's on sale to place in your freezer. The great thing about low-carbing is that fat is allowed!! so the fattier cuts of meat are usually MUCH cheaper than the leaner cuts of meat (and oh so much tastier! lol).

But buy what you can - and even if you're just using ziplock freezer bags, portion out what you can when you get home from the store and place into your freezer for future use.

I've also started to really buckle down on NOT going out to eat (we were eating out 3 times/week on average...) but instead I make sure to create a menu for the week and stick to it! And I'm very proud to say we now maybe eat out once every two weeks.

I place that menu on the fridge so I know what I need to take out of the freezer in order to thaw out for that night / the next day.

Also - use that menu to know exactly what ingredients you need in order to make your grocery list and stick to that list!

Some FABULOUS recipe sites are:
Linda's Recipes

Lowcarb Diets.about.com

RecipeZaar (this is a generic recipe site, but you can find low-carb recipes if you search right)...

ALSO - really utilize the recipe portion of this site. You'll find SO many yummy recipes that don't use that many ingredients that make life just so easy!

plus, too - as someone else said - now that you're not eating processed "frankenfoods" and eating mainly WHOLE unprocessed foods, you will actually spend less because you're not buying all that junk.

It truly takes a LOT of planning both before you get to the grocery store and once you have the groceries in your kitchen. You HAVE to be willing to make your own dinners every night and not just say "no, i'm tired, i wanna go get fast food"...

It's very possible - again, just a lot of planning.


Now, there are some "special" low-carb foods that are hard to get a lot when you're on a tight budget...such as almond flour ($10/bag) or Erythritol ($15/pound where I buy it) and so when I'm wanting to make "special" items (such as those listed on Lauren's site: Healthy Indulgences - I get them when I can afford them - but use them sparingly.

Good luck!!

[pixiegirl01]

Lots of older threads/information about this.

(Sorry to hear about your dad)

Please share your CHEAPEST EVER menus

It is time for another round of cheapskate lowcarb!

You only have $20 for the week....what do you buy?

Spin-off: Menu plans for $20 a week eating?

[sistertzu]

If you weren't eating low carb what would you be eating? You can spend alot if you want but it is not necessary. I buy all my meat with the weekly ads and don't pay more than $1.00lb I get most everything else in bulk.

Sis

[MsWoods]

Yep and I take a lot of help in the "everything must go" section of the meat department Lol. I have found super great buys and just freeze it right when I take it home and it lasts just as long as the fresh stuff they just put out. I have been lucky enough to find huge family packs of boneless, skinless chicken breast for 1.99 a pack and huge 8-10lb beef briskets for around $9-13. The usually go for anywhere from 19-30 bucks. I can eat on either one of those for a week.

I'm also pretty simple with my veggies, lettuce, cucumber, green onions, broccoli, radish's. They are the less expensive veggies in the market as well. Just look for sales and buy in bulk and freeze when you can. And on a week you might have a little extra money but dont' need any groceries, go ahead and buy some meat and freeze it anyways, that way you will always have something to cook/eat, even if you hit a rough week.

Also, buy the cheaper brands of things but check the carb counts. The cream cheese at walmart (store brand) has 2carbs per 1oz, philadelphia has 1<. A lot of people on here don't like shopping there or don't want to eat their store meat because they put some kind of solution in them, but I can always get a huge double size family pack of huge chicken breast for about $12 and they will last a long long time. I've lost almost a hundred pounds eating them, and I can afford them, so I don't really care what anyone else says.

[Steve Parker, M.D.]

Eggs are pretty cheap.

5-oz cans of tuna for $.99 on sale.

Cheap cuts of meat will tenderize nicely in a slow cooker.

Best wishes,
-Steve

[Ilpirata]

Really check your fliers for discount grocery stores. Grocery outlet here just had 3LBS Tillamook Cheddar Cheese for 3.00 and Food Max had five pounds of ground beef for $3! I look for deals and stock up on things whenever possible.

[oceandiva]

First, what an amazing act of love on your part to take care of your Dad! Caretakers have to be really fastidious about honoring their own needs so good for you in taking on a LC eating program!!
I'm on SS disability and have a mentally ill son living with me so eating on a budget is essential. I shop at several different stores depending on their sales. I don't eat beef so most of my food is chicken, turkey, fish and eggs. Omelets are cheap dinners. I buy the 2 for one packets when possible and freeze one. Be careful of cream cheese and sour cream at some store because they put sugar in it--Aldi for one. If I buy a roasted chicken I make 5 to 6 meals out it like cream chicken, chicken and veggies etc.
I buy the basics like soap and toilet paper at the Dollar Store so it cuts down on the food bill. Planning ahead is the key!
Blessings to you and I wish you great success and health.

[Looweewoo]

I'm struggling with this too. It's getting better, as I adjust to my changed conditions and learn which stores have what. But for a while there I was seriously running out of food money.

But now my food bill is getting smaller, both because my cravings are gone and I don't have to hammer them back with a meal, and because my appetite is less.

I still pay way too much for food, IMO, but it's better than stopping at the QuikMart every night for $5 worth of junk.

[fawnmarie]

I got to Save A Lot - similar to Aldis and Walmart supers.

Tuna, eggs, and pork all seem to be the least expensive proteins.

Ground beef and turkey can be cheap, too, if you buy the chubs.

[texastigerlily]

Originally Posted by hubcityraider

I have a post somewhere in the Lounge talking about my "Diet and Debt" plan with Dr Atkins and Dave Ramsey.

During my 3 or 4 weeks of strict induction, it felt like I was spending more money because just to get through it I had to make sure to love the food. So I ate a bunch of steaks and nice salads, and went to Hooters for nekked wings, etc. I was so accustomed to eating out that I had to find ways to eat out while staying on plan. But after about a month, Atkins was saving me hundreds of dollars per month. I rarely eat out at all anymore. Mainly because I'm not hungry, I'm on a budget, and it's not worth it. I also don't splurge as much at the grocery store. Pork chops and chicken are not expensive. Lettuce with ranch is not expensive, cans of green beans are not expensive.

It may take a bit to settle in, but ultimately Atkins saves my wife and me a whole boat load of money.

That is a post I'd like to see. We are Ramsey fans, and since DH's company will be laying off soon, we are trying to plan ahead. We know we absolutely must continue our WOE for health, weight, and our lives. Please post the link if you can find it.

[BillB]

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

3LBS Tillamook Cheddar Cheese for 3.00

Oh my! What a score!!!

--bill

[BeThin]

sales and more sales and Walmart will match those sales ads.. IT saves me...

[Erica L. Butler]

Groceries in Seattle are hideously expensive. That being said; I still manage to feed myself *well* on no more than $50.00-$60.00 per week.

Trader Joe's is a lifesaver for hamburger, cheeses, mushrooms and some veggies, avocados, Diet Hansen's Sodas. I also get the 'Blue Can" canned crab leg meat there, other frozen seafood, and Parmesan cheese in the canister.

I watch all the stores like a hawk for specials on meat, and then I buy in bulk. I get their sale papers via email.

I use coupons.

I make sure I have snack foods (pork rinds, etc, ) so I can stick to my diet.

Almost *anything* can be made into a quiche-type dish. (Cajun Quiche, anyone? )

[junkfoodmonkey]

I get very smug that the fattier cuts of meat are often the cheapest - because nobody wants them these days, just old people and us crazy low-carbing folks. I get these delicious things we call "streaky slices" here in the uk. Inch thick slices of belly pork with a thick, juicy layer of fat on them. Old fashioned, dirt cheap, and fantastic for low carbing.

[Looweewoo]

Originally Posted by junkfoodmonkey

I get very smug that the fattier cuts of meat are often the cheapest - because nobody wants them these days

I can't find fatty cuts. Seriously, maybe I don't know what I'm looking for. The closest thing to a fatty cut the stores seem to have are Ribeyes, which are expensive! No Pork belly at all.

I've been to the big stores and the small stores, and I live in a kinda rural area with large cities nearby. There's a lot of beef being raised around here, you would think they would carry some.

I was a vegetarian for most of my life, so I don't know the names of cuts to even ask for them.

[Indychick829]

Originally Posted by Looweewoo

I was a vegetarian for most of my life, so I don't know the names of cuts to even ask for them.

you know, looweewoo, i don't know them either!!! I've ALWAYS been a meat eater - but honestly don't know all the meat lingo...

if anyone knows and would share - i'm sure a lot of people would be greatful for the education!

[Looweewoo]

I made a new thread for it, maybe it will get some hits.

[junkfoodmonkey]

I've got this really old fashioned recipe book at home, I think it belonged to one of my grannies! It has diagrams of cows, pigs, lambs and sheep and the names of the cuts. And it has recipes for rabbit and mutton and stuff. I should get it out and check it for low carb recipes, it's probably a goldmine!

[trans4mation2005]

I bought 36 eggs for 3.39
12 chicken thighs for $6
4 sticks butter $3
14 pork fillets $8
14 steaks $9
4 peppers $4
and coffee(decaf) $5

$40 a week is 4 meals out... on Atkins its less than $2 a meal