The current and forecast food resources available are inadequate to meet both the existing and predicted future global demand for food, presenting a grave problem with far-reaching consequences. There are many contributing factors to this major global problem that could be a blog series in itself!
However, in this blog I would like to speak on something that has been in my heart for awhile. How to develop a plan to offset the effects of increased food prices that does not include having to reduce our monthly household grocery bill. In this blog I am going to concentrate on how to reduce the amount and type of food we consume. This will result in two positive outcomes – reduced monthly food bill and a healthier lifestyle.
Based on this topic of discussion let us examine a slight change in our lifestyle regarding our food consumption. Consider implementing an intermittent fasting and keto diet plan. Now aside from weight loss, one of the best benefits of intermittent fasting and keto diet is that it can help us save money on our monthly food bill.
How Does Intermittent Fasting Reduce Our Food Bill?
Intermittent fasting can be a great way to reduce our food bill. Through utilizing meal-skipping, portion-control and specific fasting window protocols, one can easily save money on grocery shopping trips. Meal skipping in place of calorie restriction helps by encouraging us to increase efficiency with the caloric intake throughout the fasting period.
By meal prepping and not overbuying, one can also practice portion control which will reduce the amount of food that goes to waste each week.
Lastly, those who choose to follow a 16/8 intermittent fasting protocol (which is an 8-hour eating period followed by 16 hour of fast) certain foods could easily appear in our diets more often while still allowing time within the eating window where other types of food would have to be avoided.
All these methods help to decrease consumption as well as our reliance on processed and unhealthy convenience foods that really add up on the grocery list.
How The Keto Diet Can Help Save Money On Groceries
The Ketogenic (Keto) Diet promises a number of potential health benefits, but did you know it can also help you save money on groceries? Eating a keto-friendly diet means limiting carbohydrate-heavy items like pasta, bread and cereal, and instead opting for more lean proteins and low glycemic vegetables.
Since the Keto diet relies heavily on nutrient-dense meats, such as salmon and lean ground beef. Since these meats will last longer in your fridge or freezer than other pre-packaged food items, you could wind up saving even more money in the long run.
With a little meal planning and strategic shopping, it's easy to see how following the Keto Diet could mean serious savings on your grocery bill.
Tips On Reducing Your Monthly Food Bill
One of the best tips for reducing your monthly food bill is planning ahead. Planning your meals for the week and shopping with a detailed list helps to prevent overspending on items that are not essential for your meals. It also helps to reduce wasted food; you can buy produce in bulk and freeze items that won't be used immediately, or repurpose leftovers into other dishes.
Another great tip is to check out discount stores or ethnic markets in your area, as they often offer cheaper prices than larger chain stores. Be sure to look at unit prices to determine which item offers the best value, as something may seem cheaper initially but have a lower amount per unit of measurement.
Finally, consider cooking more at home and reducing takeout orders as a way to save money and keep healthier meal choices available.
Additional Tips For Long-Term
Consider purchasing healthy non-perishable food items. The following is a short list of items you may wish to consider:
• Dried and canned beans
• Nut butters
• Dried fruits and vegetables
• Canned fish and poultry
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains like oats, rice, and barley
• Canned vegetables and fruits
• Jerky
• Granola and protein bars
• Soup
• Freeze dried meals
• Shelf-stable milk and nondairy milk
Stocking up on these non-perishable has several advantages, including their long shelf life, which makes them easy to transport and store; their intact nutritional content; and their low cost compared to perishable foods.
Furthermore, having backups of non-perishables on hand can give families peace of mind as they can easily prepare meals without having to worry about frequent restocking trips and limited options at the grocery store.
With a few staples and some imagination, anyone can create delicious dishes right in their own kitchen - making these small investments incredibly worthwhile.
Final Thoughts
Intermittent fasting and the keto diet offer some advantages in light of concerns about current and impending food shortages. Such a lifestyle may lead to improved overall health while reducing costs associated with food bills.
Not only does intermittent fasting introduce periods of intermittent abstinence from food, it also allows for improved metabolic flexibility and possibly increased longevity.
Since the keto diet requires low in carbohydrates, high fat, and protein-rich foods, which are cheaper in the long-term, it is also beneficial in weight loss and management, reduction in seizure activity for those with epilepsy or similar conditions, protection against diabetes development or progression, and improved cardiac health.
When taken together and adapted into lifestyle changes, intermittent fasting and a keto diet provide an advantageous approach to bettering your long term health prospects as well as providing economic benefits in terms of reduced spending on food costs.