Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

[knicknack]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

Definitely shop the sales... You'll find that your store probably has really predictable sales, actually. One week the chicken breasts will be on sale, and the next week the thighs, etc... Buy the family packs and freeze the leftovers. Even better, make a big ole mess of food and freeze individual servings for easy quick lunches and dinners.

Also, for those just starting: after about a month, you'll be eating less than you can even imagine because your appetite will have gone away. So don't worry. The beginning is a bit more expensive than usual as you are eating quite a bit to keep away the cravings and getting used to the diet. But then it'll drop off.

[BamaKelly]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

I really like this topic it had made me think of many things I can do to decrease the grocery bill. I have always been a walmart shopper and never have I really looked at the prices of what things cost as I had to have them so I did not think it mattered. When we went to stock up for this WOE I approached it the same way, BIG mistake.

I checked today and Publix (A grocery store here in the south) posts their sales papers online, they also offer a better quality selection of meats, veggies and cheeses. So I will be sale conciencious, plan ahead more wisely and see where that gets me.

[Papa Deuce]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

I really like this topic it had made me think of many things I can do to decrease the grocery bill. I have always been a walmart shopper and never have I really looked at the prices of what things cost as I had to have them so I did not think it mattered. When we went to stock up for this WOE I approached it the same way, BIG mistake.

I checked today and Publix (A grocery store here in the south) posts their sales papers online, they also offer a better quality selection of meats, veggies and cheeses. So I will be sale conciencious, plan ahead more wisely and see where that gets me.

Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's can be a good deal for us.... worth the price of joining.

[not2late]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

I buy and stock up when things are on sale...particularly things that I can freeze. For example, this week a store has whole chickens on sale for 69 cents a pound. I bought about 8 chickens and put them in my freezer. When pork chops are on sale, I do the same thing.

It's all about being a smart shopper---especially now with this economy, I don't think that's a bad idea.

[adkins]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

Kill 2 birds with 1 stone raise a garden if you have the time and space. Exercise from the labor and edible food that you know is safe from the poison the profit seeking businesses put into to foods that are not even safe to buy from the shelves of stores.
I used to be a truck driver and hauled food products, produce and meat, trust me I could tell you stories that would make any dieter lose weight.

[tfek70]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

Hit the sales and freeze it. I am in the military, so I have access to the commissary. I have been buying london broil for $2.29/lb, and most cuts of steak are under $5.00/lb. What I have noticed is that if you buy cheaper cuts that you wouldn't normally eat, you can make great tasting meals if you prepare them right. I have been eating a lot of pork shoulder blade steaks lately. I get them for about $0.80/lb. If you prepare them like a ribeye, it tastes like a ribeye. Also, smoking will turn a cheap cut of meat into a delicacy. I am smoking a boston butt today (so's Papa Deuce, go Eagles). It has been injected and been marinating for 3 days. I am going to put a spicy mustard rub on it (0 carbs) and put it in the smoker after this post. It was $0.95/lb. I've seen it in grocery stores for the same price.

[Papa Deuce]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

Hit the sales and freeze it. I am in the military, so I have access to the commissary. I have been buying london broil for $2.29/lb, and most cuts of steak are under $5.00/lb. What I have noticed is that if you buy cheaper cuts that you wouldn't normally eat, you can make great tasting meals if you prepare them right. I have been eating a lot of pork shoulder blade steaks lately. I get them for about $0.80/lb. If you prepare them like a ribeye, it tastes like a ribeye. Also, smoking will turn a cheap cut of meat into a delicacy. I am smoking a boston butt today (so's Papa Deuce, go Eagles). It has been injected and been marinating for 3 days. I am going to put a spicy mustard rub on it (0 carbs) and put it in the smoker after this post. It was $0.95/lb. I've seen it in grocery stores for the same price.

My pork shoulder will be done in about an hour..... just used a spice rub this time, instead of the spice / mustard I usually use.

Then I will eat it with the following "sauce".

1 quart apple cider vinegar
2 TBS red pepper flakes
2 TBS garlic powedr
2 TBS brown sugar.... BUT my portion of that will be far less than 1 tsp.
4TBS mustard

I already have it made up. I keep a bottle in the fridge at all times.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

My pork should will be done in about an hour..... just used a spice rub this time, instead of the spice / mustard I usually use.

Then I will eat it with the following "sauce".

1 quart apple cider vinegar
2 TBS red pepper flakes
2 TBS garlic powedr
2 TBS brown sugar.... BUT my portion of that will be far less than 1 tsp.
4TBS mustard

I already have it made up. I keep a bottle in the fridge at all times.

You need to find DiabetiSweet brown sugar. It is awesome! My sugar free BBQ sauces are the hit of my skinny-don't-need-to-diet family.

They make a sugar free honey, too, so my hot honey mustard is back on the menu. It's yummy on the turkey breast I baked a couple of days ago. For dinner I am having honey barbecued chicken nuggets.

[neihu]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

I guess I am in the minority. I remember Atkins being really expensive when I did it last time, as I was going from a high carb mostly vegetarian diet of tofu, beans, lentils and tortillas, along with salad and veggies. Occasionaly I would eat meat, but only fish or chicken. I didn't eat much take out.

This time it seems ok - but I have been eating meat fairly regularly now for the past few years.

[Papa Deuce]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

I guess I am in the minority. I remember Atkins being really expensive when I did it last time, as I was going from a high carb mostly vegetarian diet of tofu, beans, lentils and tortillas, along with salad and veggies. Occasionaly I would eat meat, but only fish or chicken. I didn't eat much take out.

This time it seems ok - but I have been eating meat fairly regularly now for the past few years.

But are you, or were you eating out more? Eating more junk food that you no longer eat? Are you saving that money? For me, it evens out.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

I buy chicken leg quarters in 10 lb bags when they are on sale. Last week at Publix, I got them at .59/lb. I bought two bags. I cook one entire 10 lb bag at once (baked in the oven) and then I take a leg quarter for lunch every day. So, that $11.00 will be lunch for two weeks, along with dinner a couple nights.

I buy frozen veggies. Frozen veggies are better priced at Walmart and at Publix. I will buy turkeys when they are on sale and keep them in the freezer. Albertson's will occasionally have 10 for $10 sales where they have pork chops 10 lbs for $10. I try to get two packages and then come home and split the packages up and put it in the freezer.

I'll buy beef roasts and pork roasts when they are on sale. A pork butt or shoulder cooks wonderfully in a crock pot and will last all week. So, if I buy it on sale for $0.99/lb I can get a week's worth of meals for about $10.

I quit buying pre-cut salad mixes too. A head of lettuce, cut when I need it, doesn't go bad as fast as the pre-bagged stuff. It's a lot less expensive too.

[adkins]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

Hit the sales and freeze it. I am in the military, so I have access to the commissary. I have been buying london broil for $2.29/lb, and most cuts of steak are under $5.00/lb. What I have noticed is that if you buy cheaper cuts that you wouldn't normally eat, you can make great tasting meals if you prepare them right. I have been eating a lot of pork shoulder blade steaks lately. I get them for about $0.80/lb. If you prepare them like a ribeye, it tastes like a ribeye. Also, smoking will turn a cheap cut of meat into a delicacy. I am smoking a boston butt today (so's Papa Deuce, go Eagles). It has been injected and been marinating for 3 days. I am going to put a spicy mustard rub on it (0 carbs) and put it in the smoker after this post. It was $0.95/lb. I've seen it in grocery stores for the same price.

Smoking is the only way to grill meat or with an in-direct heat method. I don't waste money on charcoal anymore. Oak, Hickory and/or Cherry are plentiful and I will buy mesquite to smoke and to supply plenty of heat to cook/grill with. Smoking fish, poultry, pork and beef with the right blend of spices or herbs will make any taste buds melt.
The bad thing when I grill/smoke I get a great fire going and I run out of meat to cook and then I have to run to the store or thaw some more meat out. I just hate letting a good fire go to waste.
I have even experimented with smoking some veggies like fresh asparagus w/garlic and butter, mushrooms or cabbage w/onions and olive oil on the grill also.

[Chicklady]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

We spend obnoxious amounts of money on groceries, probably $250/wk for the 2 of us. But we buy a lot of organic produce and almost all grass raised meats. The funny (?) thing is, that a couple of years ago we were eating out almost every day, and spending even more on one meal out each day, and not eating near as well or healthfully and not getting two to three meals plus snacks.

[bnorris10]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

i dont know if you guys have winn dixies but i am always checking them as they always have buy 1 get 1 free on meats

i like to catch them when they have the pork and chicken on sale

[MommaRuthie]

Re: Atkins really is NOT expensive, IMO.

It really truly is not IF you don't eat all the low carb prepackaged stuff. We eat eggs for breakfast (cheap). Chicken/pork/turkey daily- what ever happens to be on sale that week. and I treat myself to a new york strip steak once/week. It is so yummy and takes care of any feelings of diet... Add in fresh veggies and even with getting rice/potatoes/cereal/bread for kids it comes to way less . I easily spend 100-200 dollar less per month now that I am not buying carb this and that...