Posts

Can you eat healthily on a budget?

I wrote the other day about my $50 weekly food budget – and how hyper aware I've become about how much food costs.  I'm only shopping for one, I work from home, love cooking and have time to shop around. How hard must if be for families on tight budgets to eat well?

Can you eat paleo healthily on a budget finances-min

I really struck me how difficult it must be for families when I saw this in my local Aldi store:

Aldi-cheap-pizza-paleo-network-food
That's just $3 for a big pizza. Assuming you'd need two to feed a family of four that's $1.50 per person for dinner. Preparation time is zero and cooking time less than 20 minutes.

Contrast this with a healthy paleo meal? Let's say a large free range chicken: $12, some steamed kale $5 and spinach $3 and some $4 cauliflower made into rice. That's $24 – so $6 a head. For families living on tight budgets there's a huge difference between spending $6 on dinner and spending $24.

And how about lunch? You can buy an entire loaf of bread for about 85 cents and some cheap processed meat for about $3. That's a cheap lunch, well under a dollar a head. Contrast that with a typical paleo lunch – that wouldn't even cover a decent cut of meat, never mind salad or veggies.

As for breakfast I doubt anyone could make an free-range egg and veggie omelette for less than the $2.2o an entire box of cornflakes costs.

So what's the answer?

Wouldn't it be good if fresh whole food could be subsidised? Unfortunately I can't see how that could ever be implemented, since everyone has such wildly different ideas about exactly what is healthy and what isn't.

Do you think families struggling to make ends meet are priced out of eating healthily? What do you think the answer is?

Stretching Paleo Meals Without Stretching the Budget

While a single meal can feel expensive, the key to affordable Paleo eating lies in planning ahead and getting more meals out of every cook-up. A $12 chicken may sound like a lot, but when you roast it and then turn the leftovers into a salad, soup or stir-fry, suddenly it covers multiple meals.

The carcass can be turned into bone broth, which you can use as a base for sauces, soups, or simply sip as a nourishing drink. This type of whole-use cooking not only saves money but significantly reduces waste.

Batch Cooking and Freezing

Batch cooking is one of the best ways to stick to a Paleo lifestyle without blowing your weekly food budget. When you cook large portions of meals like slow-cooked stews, soups, meatballs or casseroles, you can freeze single servings for future lunches or lazy nights.

Cooking in bulk means you buy ingredients more economically and reduce the temptation of convenience food. A few hours in the kitchen on Sunday can result in meals for the whole week — without having to touch your wallet again.

Try cooking meals that use cheaper cuts of meat like beef chuck, lamb shoulder or chicken thighs. These cuts are not only more affordable, but also more flavourful and perfect for slow cooking.

Prioritising Protein Choices

Grass-fed and organic meats are ideal, but if you’re working with a strict budget, don’t let perfection stand in the way of progress. Choose the best quality you can afford. Free-range chicken thighs, budget beef mince, or even kangaroo are often more affordable options in Australia.

Canned fish like salmon (in spring water) or sardines can also be economical protein sources. Just watch out for added oils or sauces. Eggs are another budget-friendly powerhouse, especially when used in frittatas, stir-fries or baked dishes.

You can also add bulk to meals using eggs and grated vegetables. A small amount of mince can stretch into multiple servings when combined with shredded zucchini, carrot and herbs.

Shopping Smarter: Aisle by Aisle

Smart Paleo shopping means comparing prices across supermarkets and stocking up when staples go on sale. Aldi continues to be a reliable option for affordable basics like fresh produce, eggs, nuts and some oils.

Look for markdowns in the meat section close to expiry — you can freeze immediately for later use. Check farmers markets towards closing time for discounted produce, and don’t shy away from “ugly” vegetables — they taste the same and often cost less.

The freezer aisle can also offer savings. Frozen spinach, cauliflower rice, broccoli and berries are just as nutritious as fresh and can be stored for months with no waste.

Mastering the Art of Scratch Cooking

Convenience comes at a cost. Pre-cut vegetables, sauces and pre-made Paleo-friendly meals are convenient but usually come with a higher price tag. Cooking from scratch using simple ingredients gives you better control of both your health and your wallet.

Instead of buying cauliflower rice or zoodles, try making them yourself with a grater or spiraliser. Bake your own sweet potato chips, prepare sauces from basic pantry ingredients, and make dressings using olive oil, vinegar and herbs.

By learning to cook with what you have, you’ll waste less and rely less on packaged options.

Reducing Waste and Using Everything

One of the biggest money drains in any household is food waste. A Paleo approach can actually be more economical when you embrace the “use it all” philosophy.

Save carrot peels, celery ends and onion skins in a bag in your freezer to make homemade stock. Use leftover herbs to make salsa verde or pesto. Freeze overripe bananas or leftover berries for smoothies or baking.

Plan your meals around what’s already in your fridge and pantry. Leftovers from dinner can become tomorrow’s lunch. Cooked vegetables can be added to omelettes or blended into soups. With some creativity, yesterday’s meal becomes today’s savings.

Budget Breakfasts Without Cereal

Ditching boxed cereal doesn’t mean breakfast has to be pricey. Eggs, even the free-range kind, are still a cheap source of protein and fat. Pair them with leftover vegetables or cook up a simple breakfast hash using chopped sweet potato, onion and greens.

You can also prep breakfast muffins using eggs, grated veggies and herbs — cheap, portable and easy to freeze. A big batch of chia pudding made with coconut milk can stretch across multiple breakfasts for under a dollar a serve.

Tips for Families Eating Paleo on a Budget

Feeding a family Paleo-style doesn’t mean gourmet cuts at every meal. Think of ways to build meals around filling, nutrient-dense ingredients like eggs, root vegetables and leafy greens.

Use cheaper protein sources more often and reserve pricier cuts for weekends or special meals. Let children get involved with prepping vegetables or helping in the kitchen, which makes them more engaged and less resistant to trying new things.

Create theme nights like “slow cooker night” or “taco bowls” using lettuce wraps and seasoned mince to make mealtime fun, structured and economical.

Reframing the Value of Real Food

Yes, a $3 frozen pizza feels cheap. But it doesn't nourish. It doesn’t support long-term health, reduce inflammation or improve mental clarity. Sometimes, eating Paleo on a budget means zooming out and looking at the full picture: the savings on future health bills, improved energy, and fewer sick days.

Paleo might cost more at the checkout, but it can save more where it matters — your health, energy and time spent in the healthcare system. Investing in real food is an act of self-care, even if it takes a bit more planning and creativity.

It’s not always easy to eat Paleo on a budget, especially when processed food is so cheap and accessible. But with a plan, smart choices and a bit of prep work, it’s absolutely possible. Your health is worth the effort.

Conscious Parenting Summit

One of my readers told me about the Conscious Parenting Summit, which starts today. The talks are free to listen to online for 24 hours; and there seem to be a couple of interviews a day on all sorts of parenting aspects.

Whilst the nutrition seems to be more geared towards raw food than Paleo, the summit talks about a number of issues that seem very relevant to bringing up Paleo Children, such as Pregnancy, Natural Fertility, Water Birth, Lotus Birth, Unassisted Birth, Bonding, Vaccinating, Breastfeeding, Co-Sleeping, Elimination Communication, Non-Violent Communication, Circumcision and Homeschooling/Unschooling.

So if you have young children, are pregnant, or considering starting a Paleo family, it might be worth checking out the summit!


Why Conscious Parenting Aligns with the Paleo Lifestyle

At first glance, conscious parenting and Paleo may seem like two separate ideas — one focused on child-rearing philosophies, the other on nutrition. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find a shared core: the desire to return to natural, intuitive, and evolutionarily sound practices. Both philosophies question the status quo and ask: “Is this truly the best way to support our health and development — or is it just what modern culture says we should do?”

Much like choosing to nourish your body with real, unprocessed foods, conscious parenting is about stripping away the layers of conditioning and societal expectation to return to what makes sense from a biological, psychological, and emotional perspective.

Let’s unpack some of the topics featured in the Conscious Parenting Summit and explore how they dovetail beautifully with a Paleo lifestyle — especially for those raising Paleo kids.


Pregnancy and Natural Fertility

Modern fertility practices often overlook the impact of nutrition and environmental factors on conception. From a Paleo point of view, supporting fertility begins long before pregnancy. A nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet — high in quality fats, pastured meats, organ meats, fermented foods, and vegetables — can help regulate hormones, reduce stress, and support optimal reproductive health for both partners.

Speakers in the summit who explore natural fertility and conscious conception often emphasise reducing toxin exposure, eating real food, and connecting with the body’s rhythms — all pillars of a Paleo pregnancy.


Birth: Water, Lotus, and Unassisted Options

Mainstream birth culture often centres around intervention, convenience, and medical control. Conscious parenting challenges this by exploring options like water birth, lotus birth (where the umbilical cord is left attached until it naturally separates), and unassisted birth.

While not every family will choose these routes, many Paleo-minded parents find resonance in the idea of birth as a natural, physiological process, not a medical emergency. There’s increasing interest in minimising intervention and creating an environment that supports bonding, calm, and hormonal flow — particularly oxytocin, the hormone of love and connection.

A real food diet throughout pregnancy can support better outcomes in birth too, reducing the risk of complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and large-for-gestational-age babies.


Breastfeeding and Co-Sleeping

Breastfeeding is arguably the most “Paleo” thing a parent can do. It’s species-specific nutrition, designed to support brain development, immunity, and gut health. Conscious parenting often highlights the emotional connection and attunement that breastfeeding fosters, not just the nutritional benefits.

Co-sleeping (also known as bed-sharing or sidecar sleeping) is another area where evolutionary and conscious parenting perspectives overlap. Our ancestors didn’t place their babies in separate rooms — they kept them close for warmth, feeding, and safety. While modern safety guidelines should always be followed, many families find that safe co-sleeping fosters more rest, better breastfeeding success, and stronger emotional bonds.


Elimination Communication (EC)

If you’re new to elimination communication, it’s the practice of tuning into a baby’s cues and using gentle timing to encourage toileting from infancy. It may sound odd in the West, but it's a common practice in many cultures — and entirely aligned with evolutionary principles.

EC treats babies as aware, capable beings — something the conscious parenting movement strongly advocates. It also reduces the reliance on nappies and the environmental impact of disposable products. Paleo parents drawn to minimalism and sustainability often find this practice worth exploring, even if they don’t go all in.


Vaccination, Circumcision & Non-Violent Communication

These are deeply personal topics, and conscious parenting doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it encourages parents to ask questions, research, and make informed decisions based on what aligns with their values.

  • Vaccination: Conscious parenting encourages informed consent and respectful dialogue. Some parents choose alternative schedules, others opt for selective vaccination, and some follow the standard schedule — but all aim to decide from a place of empowerment, not fear.
  • Circumcision: Many parents, upon researching this practice through a conscious lens, reconsider the default decision. Awareness of bodily autonomy, nerve endings, and ethical considerations often lead to questioning the norm.
  • Non-Violent Communication (NVC): Central to the conscious parenting philosophy, NVC focuses on empathetic listening and expressing needs without blame or punishment. For Paleo parents seeking not just physical, but emotional health for their families, NVC can be a game-changer.

Homeschooling and Unschooling

While not directly tied to Paleo, homeschooling and unschooling appeal to many families who’ve already stepped outside the mainstream when it comes to food and health. These education models allow for more freedom, child-led learning, and deeper connection with nature — again echoing ancestral values.

Some Paleo families find that traditional schooling environments contradict the rhythms and values they’re trying to cultivate at home: adequate movement, time outdoors, nutrient-dense food, and strong family connection. Homeschooling offers a way to keep those values intact, even during the learning day.


Raising Paleo Children in a Processed World

Let’s face it — raising kids Paleo in a world of processed snacks, peer pressure, and sugar-laden birthday parties is no small feat. But conscious parenting offers some valuable tools for navigating this path with intention.

Here are a few ideas that might support your Paleo parenting journey:

1. Focus on Food as Family Culture

Frame real food not as deprivation, but as the foundation of your family’s identity. Celebrate homemade meals, get the kids involved in prep, grow herbs together, and explore markets and farms.

2. Be Honest, Not Fear-Based

Talk to your children about why your family eats the way it does — without demonising others. Help them understand how food affects how they feel, think, and grow.

3. Find Allies

Whether through local groups, Facebook communities, or events like the Conscious Parenting Summit, surround yourself with like-minded parents. It’s so much easier when you know you’re not alone.

4. Lead by Example

Kids learn more from what we do than what we say. When they see you prioritising sleep, getting outdoors, making home-cooked meals, and caring for yourself — that’s the most powerful lesson.


The Rise of Holistic Parenting Events

That this summit even exists speaks volumes. Ten years ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find resources questioning conventional parenting norms. Now, there are entire conferences, books, podcasts, and platforms devoted to conscious parenting, natural living, and ancestral health.

This is a growing global movement, and events like the Conscious Parenting Summit help connect the dots. Even if a particular speaker isn’t strictly Paleo, there’s often so much value to glean — whether it’s a new way of viewing behaviour, an idea for improving sleep, or simply the reminder that there are other parents out there doing things differently too.


What If You’re Not Doing It All “Perfectly”?

This is where conscious parenting and Paleo both shine: there’s no perfection required. It’s about doing better where you can, asking questions, staying curious, and showing up with presence and care.

Whether you’re pregnant and planning, have toddlers who love kombucha, or teens who roll their eyes at your grain-free bread — you’re doing something incredible by tuning in and choosing a more intentional way forward.


Your Turn

Have you watched any of the sessions from the Conscious Parenting Summit? Which topics spoke to you the most? How does conscious parenting fit into your Paleo lifestyle?

If you’ve got resources, books, or experiences to share — especially when it comes to raising healthy, real-food-loving kids in Australia or New Zealand — I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

And if you’re building a Paleo family of your own, know that you’re not alone — and you’re doing amazing work.