The lockdown has left many South Africans in a tough financial position, or at least paying a little more attention to their budgets. Following diets can be a costly exercise, especially when junk food is much cheaper, but we’ve got some great tips to help you do a low-carb diet while sticking to a budget.

Choose Your Cuts of Meat Carefully

Different types and cuts of meat will have different prices, so you’ll want to think carefully when choosing what you need. If it’s beef you’re craving, skip the rib eye and go for a rump or a roast cut which tends to be cheaper. Chicken thighs can be one of the more budget-friendly options too, especially when compared to boneless, skinless breasts. Compare prices at your local supermarkets and don’t be afraid to try some new cuts that are more friendly on the budget.

Add Non-starchy Vegetables to Your Plate

A low-carb diet’s main focus is on proteins and fats, so it’s easy for your vegetables to get forgotten about. However, adding lots of non-starchy veggies to your plate is a great way to bulk up your meal. Veggies such as cauliflower, lettuce, squash and zucchini are great options, and you can also use the cauliflower to make rice or mash, and the squash and zucchini to make noodles. Veggies aren’t usually expensive so great for those on a budget.

Stick to Recipes with the same Basic Ingredients

If you search for low-carb or keto recipes, you will notice that many of them have a wide variety of ingredients, but if you are on a tight budget, you won’t want to buy 5 types of flours or 6 different sweeteners. With this in mind, when you are cooking or trying new recipes, search for ones that use the ingredients you have on hand.

Plan Your Meals

While planning your meals for the week ahead may take a little extra time, it will save you money. When you know what you are going to be cooking, you can go to the shops with a list of what you need, instead of just winging it and buying things you don’t need. When you are doing your meal plan, sticking to simple recipes with as few ingredients as possible and that recommend ingredients you already have will also help you save money.

When it comes to purchasing low-carb products, GO-LO has one of the most affordable ranges around, with lots of great products that make sticking to your diet easier than ever. From smoothies and oats to pizza bases and bread, there is something for everyone. Visit our online shop to see more.