When I first swapped from a vegan diet to an AIP diet it hit my bank account HARD. I used to spend roughly $60 a week on groceries for the two of us and that number more than doubled once I started preparing AIP recipes with organic veggies and free-range meat..

Transitioning to a healing lifestyle can feel socioeconomically prohibitive but it doesn’t always have to be. Over the years I’ve learned how to keep my grocery bill down to around $80-$100/week for two people and today I’m sharing how I do that.

THRIVE MARKET MEMBERSHIP

If you have an extra $50-$60 consider purchasing a year-long membership at my favorite place to get affordable and healthy pantry items, Thrive Market.

Thrive Market is an online wholesale store for health food. It’s perfect for purchasing pantry staple items and high-quality meat. The best part (at least for me) is that you don’t even have to leave your house. The prices are very similar to Costco but they have a wider variety. ($59.95 MEMBERSHIP, plus 25% off your first order by using this link)

 Thrive Market also provides free memberships to families in need. You can look into their program if you are low income and apply here.

DON’T PURCHASE EVERYTHING ORGANIC

If you are in a financial bind it is not necessary to purchase 100% organic vegetables. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists. These are compiled based on which non-organic vegetables are the most toxic and which are the least toxic each year. Do your best to avoid purchasing the Dirty Dozen non-organic. Also know that if you cannot afford to purchase organic, pasture-raised/grass-fed food, you can still achieve healing.

COOK AT HOME

There is a restaurant in Denver I love to go to because they have grass-fed burgers and duck fat fries. It’s freaking delicious and I love the whole experience of going out to a restaurant. That being said, the burger is around $13 and the duck fat fries are $7. We share the fries so our total ends up being around $38 with tip. For that amount of money I could get 2 lbs of grass-fed beef at whole foods ($5.99/lb), six organic sweet potatoes ($1.69/lb), a whole jar of duck fat ($7.99), plus some organic lettuce and I would STILL be under the total it costs for my husband and I to go out. Plus, that amount of food could easily last the two of us for four + meals.

 STOCK UP ON SALE ITEMS

When you are at the grocery store and see a good deal on meat or produce, buy extra and stock your freezer. I am constantly doing this with meat and frozen veggies.

 START A GARDEN

This is by far the most cost-efficient way to have organic, fresh vegetables. We grow more expensive items in our garden like spaghetti squash, butternut squash, tomatoes, blueberries, and herbs, as well as some other fun things like zucchini, cucumbers, and cauliflower.

 BUY IN BULK

Foods are oftentimes cheaper in bulk than they are when you purchase them in pre-packaged bags. Some cities have bulk stores or you can shop the bulk section of Whole Foods and Sprouts.

DON’T PURCHASE SPECIALTY FOODS

Things like Paleo Puffs, jerky, pre-made bone broth, dehydrated fruit, and sweet potato chips are all great convenience foods but they also cost more at the grocery store than fresh food. Consider making your own versions at home for way less!

 BUY FROZEN VEGGIES

Frozen veggies are a great way to get healthy food at a lower cost. Trader Joe’s has a great selection. Just make sure the only ingredient is the vegetable.

PURCHASE CANNED GOODS

Purchasing chicken and fish canned is typically cheaper than fresh and it has a longer shelf life. These are great to stock up on when they go on sale! It’s best to make sure the fish is wild caught, the chicken is free-range or pasture raised, and the can is BPA free.

EAT OFFAL

Most people are a little grossed out at the idea of eating the organs of animals but it’s an incredibly affordable way to get high-quality, nutrient-dense protein into your diet. Try fried chicken liver or pate to start!

SHOP MULTIPLE GROCERY STORES

This can get a little time consuming but check the Sunday paper for coupons and sale flyers for grocery stores and shop multiple places in order to get the best deals. Many stores also have apps you can download where you get exclusive deals. I use apps for King Soopers (or Kroger) and Whole Foods.

Those are my best practices for saving money on a healing diet. Have some of your own? Feel free to come tell me about them on my Instagram!