Keto, Atkins & All things Low Carb / Sugar - Frugal Meal prep, recipes, deals & ideas thread!

juicyjackieb

Hey there! 

I am hoping I am not the only frugalista who prefers to eat LC, I can't see to see a thread or board for it so I thought I would wave to see if I can find some frugal friends!
I did Atkins years ago, bounced around with low fat, and have been on a sorta keto mostly LC plan for around 18 months properly and I am 110lbs down with 90lbs to go. 

I meal prep every Sunday for the following week which I find helps me stay on track pretty well. I do scour the shops for yellow stickers, meat in particular which makes a difference but I am always looking for frugal recipes! I would love to hear how other keto'ers save money where they can, what your favorite meals and deals are. I am a bit of a food hoarder so I am pushing myself to inspire myself using what I already have in the cupboards. Today I also tried a vegetarian week prep and made pesto pizza and creamy tomato soup with some almond cookies - most of the ingredients were from what I already had so I was super pleased.



I do have some bits to use up, some capers (whyyyyy?? lol), and some tahini. I am thinking of some kind of fish and also homemade keto granola bars using the tahini? Or maybe some kind of version of a chicken satay /sesame chicken? That sounds good! 

Anyway - love to chat to other LC / Keto followers! Say hello!

cornishchick

hello. I try and eat LC, I have bookmarked this page to follow, as its always good to get new recipes especially with store cupboard ingredients.

shykins

I have lowcarbed for years so have tried (and rejected) many recipes.   the only things I keep in my lowcarb store is flax seed and almond flour which I use for making a sort of bread.  
the most frugal thing I buy is white cabbage, can be used for coleslaw, boiled, cooked with cream/cheese etc it has many uses lol
I lost over 7 stone with atkins/lowcarb and still eat that way now and altho I gained a bit back (menopause) I have pretty much maintained 
good luck 

GSDMum

Good shout JucieJackieB! Well done on the fantastic weight loss. You're an inspiration!

I've been an avid under 20g of carbs a day person since tipping over officially into a Type 2 Diabetic just under 3 months ago. Faced with being on what could be an ever increasing potage of diabetic drugs, I'm controlling blood glucose through low carb/keto. I check my reactions to different foods by using a glucose meter several times a day. Everyone is unique and what triggers one person's insulin response might not trigger another's (for those who might not realise, insulin is the hormone that packs fat cells). Fructose is my nemesis - who knew an innocent bowl of juicy cherries were making me fat and it wasn't the butter and cream. Thanks to diabetes.co.uk I'm down 10kg since my diagnosis, I'm entering diabetic remission, and I've (think) been cured of carb addiction. Just wish I'd known about keto when I were younger.... carb addiction is a 'thing' and we're being bombarded with unhelpful carbs every time we switch on the TV.  Sorry for digressing, I can't help but drag out the soap box when low carb is mentioned .

I don't do much prepping as I'm keeping clear of baked (low carb) goodies  (just in case - I still can't trust myself). 

Having a bit of a sweet tooth, I buy erythritol on line by the kilo which looks like it's lasting me forever, and is much cheaper. Apart from fresh meat and veg that grow above ground, my kitchen cupboards are now packed with jars of olives, 100% peanut butter (zero palm oil), nuts and seeds. Fridge carries mascarpone and other varieties of cheese, cream, smoked fish, etc. 

Think the only foods I prep:

• slow cooked belly pork (so I can quickly flash fry slices),
• cooked chicken thighs for a quick chicken salad
• homemade coleslaw 

I purchased a small handy food processor which sits conveniently on my kitchen worktops so I can create cauliflower rice in seconds (economically and taste-wise I use part of the stalks as well). The cauli rice is tossed into my non-stick wok with sesame oil and butter, and sauted. Much cheaper than shop bought cauliflower rice, and pricewise my cauliflower rice is comparable with normal rice. Think my husband and I prefer the cauli rice to the carb laden rice now. 

Being on keto, and not buying the carb rich foods that I use to be 'addicted' to, I think my food costs have probably gone down. 

helensbiggestfan

Well done juicyjackie on the weight loss.  

I am trying to eat largely paleo/low carb too so will join. I look forward to following and getting some new recipe ideas.  😂

Nonnadiluca

Best low carb recipe, imo, beetroot and red onion roasted with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, add some walnuts and a few figs, (figs optional, I have also used prunes) and stir in some feta when it's cooked. Absolutely delicious! I believe the recipe is from Michael Moseley's blood sugar diet book. Looking forward to other low carb recipe ideas.

Gers

This long thread staggers on from time to time - still worth a read.

greenbee

Spinach (defrosted frozen is easier than fresh as it's already compacted!), lump of fish on top, tip some yogurt or creme fraiche over the fish - maybe add some spices, top with a bit of grated parmesan and maybe a couple of slices of tomato. Low cal low carb... 

luvchocolate

I use spinach a lot..instead of rice etc

Narola1976

Please can I join. I am diabetic and my sugars are so high. I know LC is the best way to bring them down but finding it hard both motivationally and cost wise...not a great cook either so meals are so boring, it’s hard to stay on plan. 

rachsecret

I'm in! Done keto for 18 months now and lost 3 1/2 stone. Feel so much better, more mentally alert etc and I know my sugar reading is less than it was previously as I was borderline diabetic. 
I prep something every weekend and rotate it so for example this weekend I made a chicken curry (x9 portions) and a Keto chocolate cake using Nigellas Olive oil cake recipe but tweaked to use sweetener (24 portions). These are all in the freezer now along with lots of portions of other meals I have prepped. 
 I have a ton of regular meals that live on a sticky note on my laptop so that I don't forget meals that I like. I switch around quite bit so meals don't get too predictable. My sticky note list:

-lasagne

-meatballs/shashluka

-moussaka

-essex cassoulet

-meat  steak pie

chicken pie

-fish pie

-curry

-sausage and celeriac and apple

-chicken in spinach and creamy sauce

-fish parcel

-all day breakfast

-shepherds pie

-chicken stir fry with peanut sauce

-peanut curry

-Pizza

-Brisket pot roast

-celeriac, ham, cheese pasties/pie

-omelette

-hot pot lamb dauphinoise

-chicken tray bake

-asian fish parcel, stir fry ginger veg with peanut sauce, cauliflower rice

-KFC keto chicken

-broccoli & stilton  soup with ham chunks