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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.

What Sundays Are All About

With a bit of planning and organisation at the weekend, the entire week of Paleo meals can be planned, ingredients bought and almost all of the cooking done, leaving your weekdays easy and stress free.

Being organised like this is not only a far cheaper way of following your Paleo diet, but it also ensures you won’t come unstuck in the week – when a lack of time and imagination would otherwise make it far harder to make the right food choices.

Step One: The Weekly Planner

Are you going to be home every evening? Do you have friends over? Have you been invited out to dinner? Write out a plan of the upcoming week and work out how many breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks you will need.

Now it’s time to hit the recipe books for inspiration and decide what you would like to eat everyday! Bear in mind if you cook a large portion of a dinner recipe, you can either freeze the remainder to enjoy another day, or you can use it for lunch, or breakfast the following day.

If you have cooking facilities at lunchtimes, it’s a great idea to do some batch cooking, so you can have a quick, hot Paleo meal every lunchtime – with no cooking required

Paleo diet primal weekly planning meal planning recipes-min

Step Two: The Ingredients

Once you’ve decided on your weekly Paleo meal planner, you can make a list of all of the ingredients you need to buy and head to your local farmers market, butchers and grocery store/ supermarket to buy everything you need. No more shopping required for another week or two! It’s good to be flexible and prepared to swap ingredients, for example where certain vegetables are in season or on sale.

Step Three: Cooking & Preparation

Once you have your Paleo ingredients, recipes and weekly planner on hand, it’s time to get cooking! You can cook up big batches of one-pot recipes, such as soups, stews, casseroles and curries as these will freeze easily, ready to be reheated when you need them for lunches or dinners.

Many breakfasts, such as egg muffins can be cooked in advance and stored in the fridge for a quick grab and go breakfast.

You can also prepare vegetables in advance, ready to blanch, eat raw or throw in the steamer for the week’s dinners.

Step Four: Overcoming Potential Difficulties

This is also a good opportunity to call ahead any restaurants you may be visiting next week – or looking up their menu online. This way you can work out which Paleo options are available, or contact the restaurant directly and see how they can help.

What is your weekly routine? Do you spend time at the weekend planning for the week ahead?

7-Day Paleo Diet Menu Plan

I've got a friend coming to stay next week, so I've planned a 7-day Paleo Menu Plan to showcase my Paleo diet. It’s all too easy to eat similar meals over and over, so I'm looking forward to a week of lots of variety. I'm going to over-make everything, so I have lots of leftovers to freeze and enjoy again later.

I've just written my first recipe book on Paleo Breakfasts, so will be showcasing some fantastic, but also quick and easy breakfast recipes on my menu plan!

So this is my Menu Plan for my week of Paleo meals:

DayBreakfast / BrunchLunchDinnerSnack / Dessert / Drink
MondayPaleo Salmon BurgersBlanched veggies with guacamole and nut butter dipsChicken and Vegetable KebabsMacadamia Nuts
TuesdayNoOatmealBig Salad with tuna, eggs, nuts, leaves, tomatoes, olives, avocado, capsicum & EVOOLamb-chops, Roasted Parsnips, Onions and Pumpkin
WednesdayBacon, Eggs and AvocadoTurkey Nori-wrapsPorterhouse Steak, Egg, Mushrooms and GreensPaleo Ice Cream
ThursdayEgg MuffinsCapsicum ham sandwiches (capsicum “bread”)Tuna, Asparagus and Cauliflower RiceJerky
FridayRed onion, ham and mushroom omelettePaleo chilli with zucchini noodlesPaleo PizzaStrawberries dipped in dark chocolate
SaturdayPaleo Pancakes with Berry SauceChicken Soup with side saladBarbecue with selection of meats and saladsGlass of red wine
SundayFull English Breakfast (eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, sautéed sweet potato, homemade tomato relish, Paleo sausages)Sunday Roast; Roast beef, sweet potatoes, home-made gravy, broccoli and carrotsCoconut Yoghurt

7-Day Paleo Diet Menu Plan

Making the Most of Your Paleo Meal Prep

With a solid weekly plan in place, now is the perfect time to elevate your Paleo experience even further. Meal prepping isn't just for convenience — it’s one of the best ways to stay committed to your goals and make sure no fresh produce or grass-fed meat goes to waste. The key is to cook in bulk when you can and store portions in airtight containers or freeze them for later in the week.

It can be incredibly helpful to label each meal with the date and contents, especially when freezing. If you're short on time midweek, knowing there’s a ready-made Paleo-friendly dinner waiting in your freezer can make all the difference. Soups, stews, chilli, meatballs, and bakes all freeze particularly well and can be reheated with minimal effort.

Smart Shopping for a Paleo Week

Planning your shopping trip around your meal plan helps avoid impulse buys and ensures you’re fully stocked for the week. Before heading to the shops or farmers market, check your pantry and fridge to see what staples you already have. Then, build your shopping list around what’s left.

For this particular 7-day menu, key items to look out for include:

  • High-quality animal protein like grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken, lamb and wild-caught fish
  • Fresh vegetables in a range of colours and textures
  • Healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, and nuts
  • Fresh herbs and spices for flavour (e.g. turmeric, rosemary, paprika, coriander)
  • Specialty Paleo items like coconut flour, almond meal, or cauliflower rice, if not making from scratch

Batch Cooking Tips

If you’re preparing meals for the week ahead, you don’t have to cook seven entirely different dishes. Batch cooking is about being smart with your time and ingredients. For example, roasting a large tray of vegetables at the start of the week means you’ve got a handy side dish for several meals. Similarly, slow cooking a big batch of meat or soup can cover multiple lunches or dinners.

Double up on recipes from your menu — for example, cook extra Paleo chilli or soup and freeze half. It’s also a great idea to marinate multiple types of meat at once. Store in separate containers in the fridge, then cook throughout the week for maximum flavour with minimum fuss.

Incorporating Leftovers Creatively

With leftovers from your planned meals, you can mix and match to create entirely new dishes. Leftover roasted pumpkin and lamb can become a warm salad with rocket and a tahini dressing. Paleo pizza from Friday night reheats beautifully for Saturday brunch, especially when topped with an egg. Chicken from your soup can be shredded into wraps, salads, or even turned into a quick stir-fry with vegetables.

Get creative and don't feel boxed in by the original plan — this is where the fun of Paleo cooking really starts. Being flexible and resourceful with your ingredients helps reduce food waste and makes the most of your time and budget.

Stocking a Paleo-Friendly Pantry

While your fridge will likely be full of fresh produce and protein, don’t overlook the importance of a well-stocked pantry. Keep staples on hand so you can whip up quick meals or add extra flavour to your dishes at a moment’s notice. Consider keeping the following items in your Paleo pantry:

  • Coconut milk (full fat, no additives)
  • Tinned tomatoes or tomato paste (check ingredients)
  • Tinned wild fish like salmon or sardines (if tolerated)
  • Herbal teas and organic coffee alternatives like dandelion root
  • Coconut aminos or apple cider vinegar
  • Natural nut butters (no sugar or seed oils)

Eating Out While Sticking to Paleo

Even with the best plans, you might find yourself needing to eat out. Luckily, more restaurants are accommodating dietary preferences, and with a few simple strategies, you can keep things Paleo without the stress.

Look for grilled meats, salads with olive oil and lemon dressing, or dishes that can be easily modified. Skip the bread, fries or creamy sauces unless you're confident in the ingredients. If unsure, don't be afraid to ask your server about the oil used or for simple substitutions. Many places are happy to serve vegetables instead of grains or legumes.

Staying Hydrated Throughout the Week

It's easy to forget hydration when planning meals, but drinking enough water is essential to support digestion and overall health on a Paleo diet. Herbal teas, infused water (think cucumber and mint or lemon and ginger), and bone broth all contribute to hydration and nutrient intake.

Avoid sweetened drinks, fruit juice, and even many “health drinks” that sneak in hidden sugars. A great habit is to start the day with a big glass of water, especially before breakfast. It sets a healthy tone for the rest of the day.

Preparing for Guests on a Paleo Diet

When hosting friends who aren’t Paleo, it’s tempting to stray from your usual food choices to accommodate them. But in most cases, your guests will appreciate your effort and might be curious to try something different.

To keep everyone happy, focus on meals that feel familiar but are made using Paleo ingredients. Think burgers wrapped in lettuce instead of buns, roast dinners without gravy thickened with flour, and dessert made with coconut cream and berries. Serve a few crowd-pleasers — like your Friday night Paleo pizza or Saturday barbecue — and most people won’t even realise they’re eating Paleo.

Reflecting on Your Weekly Plan

Once the week wraps up, it’s worth reflecting on what worked well and what you’d change for next time. Did certain meals take too long to prepare? Were there enough leftovers to get you through busy days? Did any particular dish stand out as a new favourite?

Meal planning isn’t about perfection — it’s about setting yourself up for success and learning as you go. Over time, it becomes second nature, and your weekly plan evolves to match your lifestyle and preferences. Keep a notebook or spreadsheet to jot down ideas for future weeks and adjust your shopping habits accordingly.

Ready to Try It Yourself?

If you haven’t already, why not give this 7-day Paleo menu plan a go yourself? Whether you follow it exactly or use it as inspiration, it’s a great way to bring structure, enjoyment, and variety to your Paleo lifestyle. Let me know your own favourite combinations — and if you have visitors, don’t be surprised if they leave inspired to try Paleo themselves!

What do you think of my proposed Menu Plan? I’d love to hear your favourite Paleo dishes! Do you create a weekly Paleo meal Plan?