Keto on the Cheap: Update and Strategies

I know that I haven’t posted an update in a while, but I’m still here kicking butt and taking names.  I have been on track without a “relapse” for 69 days now, and while progress on the scale is slow, I couldn’t be more thrilled with the way things are going!

Here are my stats as of today.

  • High Weight: 290.2lb (May ‘17)
  • Start Weight: 259.4lb (9/1/19)
  • Current Weight: 243lb

On day 66, I hit a new low of 241lb, so I know I’ll be seeing the 230s before I know it.  I just have to be patient with myself and understand that my biggest victory is that I’m more than halfway through day 69 of NOPE (no off-plan eating).  It definitely feels good to have that accomplishment under my belt (that happens to be about 2.5” smaller now than it was 69 days ago.)

As for my budget, we’ve completely blown it.  I’m just being honest. But as I was discussing that fact with a friend yesterday, he asked me to consider some other victories and metrics in the challenge that I set for myself.  Sticking to a budget isn’t the only point of “keto on the cheap”.

Bulk and Case Pricing on Meat

I have an immersion circulator for cooking sous vide style that I absolutely love.  On of the benefits of cooking sous vide style is the fact that I can take less expensive pieces of meat and turn them into incredibly delicious meals.  For us, the jackpot has been the purchase of whole sirloin tips at our local Sam’s Club. These cuts cost about $3.25 per pound. We bring them home and cut them into thick, amazing steaks and one nice-sized roast, and we pay an entire dollar less per pound compared to buying the steaks and roasts that have been cut from the whole sirloin tip.

And there’s something else I learned that might help folks.  If I had enough money to buy a whole ribeye, I’d save about a dollar per pound on that cut also, but the meat guy at Sam’s Club will cut it for me for FREE! That means that by buying whole cuts, regardless of the type, I can same money when compared to the pre-cut and pre-packaged steaks.

Similar money can be saved by investigating case pricing.  Most items at my local Sam’s Club are discounted by about 10% if you buy by the case.  I can’t think of anything specifically that my family uses where that kind of discount would benefit us, but the option is there.

Macronutrient Density

Another strategy that we use around here is the choosing of foods for their macronutrient density.  While I don’t count anything at this point, I can tell you that I experience more satiety when I choose foods that are nice combinations of proteins and fats.  For instance, today, I have eaten three roasted chicken thighs. I didn’t discard the delicious crispy skin, and as a result of that, I don’t know that I’ll eat anything else today.  It’s not because I’m trying to count calories or follow some sort of time-restricted eating regimen. I’m simply not hungry. And if I do get hungry later, I’ll have something, but since it’s after 6:00pm as I write this, I doubt there’ll be more food for me today.  That means my food today will have cost us $2.18. (Don’t worry! They were enormous chicken thighs.)

I have definitely noticed though that if I nibble and graze, even on foods that fall in line with my way of eating, I consume more food which can cost more money.

Lastly, I want to remind folks.  I’ve said it before and I’ll continue saying it as long as it needs said.  Don’t let perfection be the enemy of “good enough”. If you have to start out with ground beef, chicken legs, and store-bought eggs, then start there.  Just start SOMEWHERE because your health depends on it. Your eyes depend on it. Your kidneys and your feet depend on it. Don’t put it off because you can’t be “perfect”.  None of us are perfect, but a lot of us are still changing lives!

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