Your Guide To An Animal-Based Diet On A Budget

Is the cost of switching to a carnivore diet making you nervous? Is it even possible to follow an animal-based diet on a budget? You can put those fears to rest because it’s cheaper to change to an animal-based diet than you think. 

Just follow these handy tips to get more bang for your buck.

​Is An Animal-Based Diet More Expensive Than Other Diets?

Is an animal-based diet more expensive than other diets? No, not necessarily. 

While it’s true that the type of foods used on the carnivore diet cost more than convenience foods, this often depends on where you buy them. Cut out those processed foods and unhealthy takeouts you’re used to eating, and you’ll free up money to buy nutritious, good-quality cuts of meat. 

You can follow an animal-based diet on a budget. It all comes down to making the right choices. 

​10 Tips For Following An Animal-Based Diet On A Budget

You can follow an animal-based diet on a budget. It all comes down to making the right choices. ​

1. ​Buy In Bulk

The key to managing an animal-based diet on a budget is to buy in bulk whenever possible. Ask about bulk prices when purchasing meat and other animal foods. But you’ll need enough freezer space to store your bulk purchases. 

If you don’t yet have a chest freezer, this may be the time to invest in one. You’ll save money long-term by bulk buying and freezing items for later use. As the prices continue to rise in-store, your already secured deals will be waiting for you on ice.

2. Consider Organ Meats​

Explore the benefits of eating organ meat, for the sake of your health and your wallet. Whether you choose chicken, pork, beef liver, or even kidneys, heart, or spleen, organ meats are a highly nutritious, tasty, and budget-friendly option. Organ meats are rich in micronutrients important for all-around health.

 
Liver, particularly beef liver, is an excellent source of iron. Kidneys, especially lamb kidneys, are a rich source of vitamin B12. Pork heart is a great source of coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant with anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory and anti-stress properties. It also promotes heart health. 

3. ​Opt For Ground Beef And Other Minced Meats

It can be difficult to eat meat every day when you’re on a tight budget. But there are ways around this. Ground beef and other minced meats (for example, pork) are the economical alternative to pricier cuts of meat. And they’re incredibly versatile meat options, too. 

You can use ground meats in many ways, by adapting your favorite carnivore recipes. Buy them from your local butchery and you’ll also be assured of soy-free minced meat (many meat product manufacturers add soy and fillers to their ground meat and burger products).

4. ​Choose Fatty Cuts

Fattier cuts of meat like brisket and pork shoulder are often cheaper because they are not as in demand as leaner cuts. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid them. Fattier meats are not just affordable, but they also offer heightened flavor and tenderness. 

Check out this cheat sheet by Health Coach Kate!

Admittedly, fattier meats contain higher amounts of saturated fat. And saturated fat has earned itself a bad reputation over the years as an unhealthy choice for your heart and your cholesterol levels. However, the link between animal fats and cholesterol is not as clear-cut as once believed. 

Find out more in our examination of the carnivore diet and cholesterol. 

5. ​Buy Meat From Local Butchers 

Purchase meat directly from local butchers. In this way, you get fresh meats that have not been sitting in supermarket refrigerators and freezers and have more control over the cuts you get. Butchers typically offer cheaper cuts than what you’ll find in the supermarkets’ packs of frozen meat. 

Butchers also offer products like lard and bone marrow. Lard gives a superior taste and texture to fried foods, while bone marrow gives any meal a nutrient-rich boost of flavor. Marrow offers higher vitamin and mineral content than many muscle meats. ​

6. ​Buy Whole Chickens

The emphasis on the carnivore diet is on high-quality meat and animal foods. But it doesn't have to exclusively be red meat! You can buy a whole chicken and use the various sections (chicken thighs, legs, breasts, and inner organs) in different tasty recipes. 

Chicken is budget-friendly and very versatile, making it a winner in any animal-based diet on a budget. If you find it a bit bland, liven it up with seasonings. Just remember that not all store-bought seasonings are ideal for the carnivore diet. If you want to use seasonings for the carnivore diet, use them sparingly. 

7. ​Cook Bone Broth

Cook up some delicious, nutritious bone broth! It’s a staple of the carnivore diet because it’s an economical and healthy choice, and ideal as a hot beverage in the colder months. And it’s oh so easy to make. Read our guide on the benefits of bone broth and start making your own broth at home.

Home-made bone broth can be used in soups and sauces, or to make a gravy for your meats. If you want to add some seasonings and make it into more of a stock, save money by growing your own herbs to add. They will be free from the additives and fillers that store-bought products often contain. 

8. ​Scout For Sales And Discounts

If you’re determined to switch to an animal-based diet on a budget, start scouting for sales and discounts. Most stores have special offers and discounts from time to time. The key is to make a note of who is offering what and remember to take advantage of these special deals. 

Buying from stores with loyalty programs will help you save even more on future purchases of your favorite animal products. Many stores offer special discounts for seniors and veterans, too. So if you are a senior or military veteran, it’s worth enquiring at your local supermarkets if they offer such programs.

​9. Eat Eggs As A Staple

Not only can you eat eggs on the carnivore diet, but they are one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat! Eggs are a source of complete protein, and even better, they’re an economical choice. So you don’t have to eat meat at every meal on an animal-based diet. Eggs are an ideal budget-friendly substitute.

Many farmers have started selling them directly to the public. But you can also pick them up at a local farmers market. Eggs are the perfect food for any mealtime. Try them scrambled for breakfast, poached for lunch, fried for dinner, and hard-boiled as a handy snack between meals. The choice is yours.

​10. Purchase Raw Dairy Directly From Farmers

Is the price of dairy milk souring your mood? Interstate sales of unpasteurized, raw dairy milk for human consumption are banned at the federal level in the US. However, at this time, you can purchase raw dairy directly from a local farm (and sometimes from a local farmers’ market) in these US states:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Connecticut
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington

This will typically be cheaper than buying milk in bulk in stores, and that’s a big plus for following an animal-based diet on a budget. However, each state has its own rules and regulations regarding the sale of raw milk for human consumption. 

​Final Thoughts

Is it possible to follow an animal-based diet on a budget? Yes, it is! 

With some careful planning, you can secure great deals on tasty, protein-rich foods that won’t break the bank. Buying directly from farmers, or at local butchers and farmers markets, is typically cheaper than purchasing packaged meals in supermarkets. And you’ll be assured of the very best quality, too.