I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

[daniejim]

Oh my God Atkins is expensive!!! Please share your ideas, tips tricks and whatever crosses your mind to make it cheaper!!! I live in San Diego...

Thank you In Advance Guys!!!!

[Sherri]

Re: I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

Hi daniejim,welcome to the board. I don't know if you have room but it's a good time of year to get a garden going. That will save you on all the fresh vegetable we get to eat on this woe. Also cotainer gardens are a great alterative if you don't have the room. They should do great in sunny San Diego. Also, to keep the grocery bill down, I find a farmers market in town and find their prices competitive with grocery stores. Buy your meat in bulk and on sale at the grocers. It really saves to shop around. I find this woe about the same price as if not eating this way. Your not buying breads, pastas, sugary treats and high carb food. Eat fresh, It's the healthiest. I hope this helps you.

[SandyL2002]

Re: I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

I spend a lot of money too...because I have to buy all the other junk for the family...

[apple]

Re: I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

I'm a 50/50 buyer as well. Well, maybe it's more like 80/20...more fresh meats and veggies than I do canned or frozen and carbed loaded....because I have a family that can tolerate whole wheat breads & pastas, and brown rice. BUT!

Atkins can be cheap or as expensive as you like. It all depends on how you play with your food! The main thing I do is make a meat and make it last for at least 2 meals.

I do a lot of roasts...beef and pork to have left overs for fajitas, taco salads, chicken or tuna salads, etc. Ground beef and ground chicken are staples in my house.

Chicken can be made it to soooo many different ways, I'm still amazed at the opprotunites.

Veggies are the most expensive for me, but I look at it this way: fresh is best for me and my family, and it's cheaper than a doctor bill or medicine. I also hit the local fresh produce markets in the summer, so there's a great way to save if you have those around your area.

Expense depends on your taste and what you like to eat. I don't eat steak and shrimp every night, well, maybe once or twice a month. But it's all about what you like to eat

Have fun playing with your food!

[CDRAKE1234]

Re: I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

well...we have our own cattle farm..so, we have our own butchered. that saves alot and the meat is soooo much better than store bought, you wouldn't believe it. down fall, alot of money upfront and you need freezer space, but it is well worth it!!

[not2late]

Re: I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

Check the store ads to see what's on sale. If a meat product is on sale, then don't hesistate to buy in "bulk", provided you have room to store it. The initial investment will be a lot but it's cheaper in the long run. For example, last week a local store had whole chickens on sale for 99 cents a pound. I bought four 3 pound chickens. A 3 pound chicken can feed a 4 people. So, that's at least 4 servings from one chicken, which comes to about a dollar a serving.

Also check the ads for frozen vegetables. Buy them and store in your freezer.

If you have farmer's markets in your area, check them out for fresh veggies. Sometimes, they are cheaper than the supermarket and the quality is better.

The other thing is shop at inexpensive stores. In my area, we have "low income" discount grocery stores. At times, they carry good produce and a good inexpensive price. Yesterday, I bought fresh artichokes for 50 cents apiece and a 8 ounce package of mushrooms for 99 cents. A regular supermarket sells them for at least double that price.

[slimndown]

Re: I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

When I started Atkins, I was on a really tight budget, around $50/week for 3 people. My whole family is eating the way I do, since I prepare the meals. If they cook, they are welcome to fend for themselves. I bought mostly eggs, chicken thighs, and heads of romaine lettuce. In the summer, I would purchase veggies from the Farmer's Market during the last hour of it as many farmers will throw in extra veggies for free just so they don't have to take it home. Now that my budget is more $75/week for 4 people, I shop at a warehouse store (Sam's) where I can get finer quality foods in bulk.

[PaulaMM]

Re: I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

Tuna, eggs, chicken quarters, and ground beef tend to be pretty cheap. Watch the store circulars for specials on fresh produce.

[daniejim]

Re: I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

wow awesome thanx everyone!! I guess the way to do it is first shopping around and then go to the right stores.. I really appreciate it

[D14965]

Re: I need Ideas to make atkins the cheapset possible!!!

Watch for specials in the dairy cabinets too jim... often you can pick up things like cream and cheese etc that has been reduced because it is nearing its use by date. It always gets eaten before the due by date in my house anyways so i save a lot by doing this. With meat you can save heaps by choosing cheaper cuts and by making meatloaves and burger patties from ground beef etc. Get creative to keep things interesting. I made a great meal the other night .. beauriful ground beef patties with melted cheese on top sitting on a bed of steamed spinach --- it was divine and not costly at all!

good luck!