Low carb, organic diet on a strict budget

Morganarla

Dh and I have decided to re-jig how and what we eat, in a desperate attempt to lose a few pounds and be a bit healthier.

So we're cutting out all rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, all main carbs really, and everything else that is fresh ie dairy, fruit, veg and meat will be organic.

We have a budget of £130 per month for groceries, and this includes toiletries and household stuff.

Looking at Sainsburys and Asda online prices, this is really going to be a challenge for me. I cannot spare any more cash towards that budget, it's going to have to be a case of 'if it takes it over the budget, it don't go in the basket.'

Has anyone got any tips? Recipes? Ideas? Bargains? We're planning to start this from 01/10.

Thanks in advance!

MrsBartolozzi

Good luck on this, I suspect it will be very hard to stick to your budget. I am eating low carb at the moment while the rest eat normally and I'm finding that my meals cost more as there's no "bulking out" with pulses or oats.
My only suggestion would be to use your freezer as much as possible, stocking up on in season fruit and veg when it's cheapest and taking advantage of reduced meats when you can - buy as much as you can store, always looking at the long term rather than short term costs.

~~Diane~~

I've been using recipes from this site http://www.low-carb-recipes.co.uk/ since coming off the Cambridge Diet and wanted to keep the carbs low. There's some very good recipes and if you have kids they won't know the difference;)

gunsandbanjos

There is a low carb diet thread on the Health and Beauty moneysaving board. Lots of good recipes and ideas.

Belisarius

In terms of vegetables, I recommend a weekly organic vegetable box. I get mine from Riverford organic (www dot riverford dot co dot uk), who have branches all over the country, and they are amazing. If you enjoy cooking & experimenting with new things, it's great fun & very good value.

tryingtoruletheworld

I eat organic food but can only afford this because I get a local veg box that works out about half the price of supermarkets etc. I think it may be difficult having higher levels of protein on a budget, I don't eat a lot of meat as organic is expensive!

Organic eggs, dairy and pulses should work out a lot cheaper, and tofu if you like it. Organic tofu is half price at sainsburys at the moment for 75p per pack.

sharkie

you want cheap good protein? Beans!

Black Beans are apparently the top bean, but some say Soy? Kidney and Pinto are quite tasty and good for you.

There are ways to stop flatulence, and Kidneys and possibly others are poisonous if they are not pre-soaked/boiled (google this!).

jenniewb

Where abouts do you live OP? Have you tried local farmers markets? never been myself so don't know prices, but may be worth turning up just as they close to see if they have any good deals:
http://www.farmersmarkets.net/ Not sure if its all organic but may have a good chance of finding something there.

Also, see if you can grow your own or rent an allotment to grow your own:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/GROWYOUROWN/

or maybe think about what does need to be organic, and what does not really have to be organic:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13737389/page/2/

QuincyBella

Though people are often quite dismissive about it, tofu can be a very tasty and economical alternative to meat. I tend to freeze mine before using it as the freezing process toughens it up and gives it more texture.

Marinading it in soy sauce, garlic, chilli and ginger and then stir-frying it with some veg can make a very satisfying meal.

I think organic tofu is fairly easy to come by in health food stores. Holland and Barrett would probably be able to give you quite a lot of help and advice on your new diet plan.

Good luck!

blushingbride_3

me & hubby are also looking to change to a organic diet & i'm going on a shop tonight with with a £10 off £50 spend voucher for sainsburys

any tips on organic foods would be greatly appreciated