Previously, we published a post with suggestions for frugal vegan groceries from a dollar store. It’s only fair to follow that up with our tips for keto groceries from the dollar store, right? After all, one common complaint around cutting carbs is that many types of high-protein goodies cost a lot. If you’re decided to pursue the low-carbohydrate lifestyle, you should know that you can do it on a budget, and a place like Dollar Tree might help.
Tips to Find Keto Groceries From the Dollar Store
Note that various brands can differ a lot when it comes to carb counts. Unless you’re buying unprocessed foods, be sure to check the labels. Still, these products are typically considered beneficial for people trying to cut sugar and other carbohydrates:
- Plant milk: Many low-carb dieters rely on almond milk to sweeten coffee or blend in smoothies. Dollar Tree offers shelf-stable cartons for less than typical grocery stores. Stock up and always have plant milk on hand.
- Pork rinds: Not everybody’s a fan, but some people enjoy this replacement for other salty and crispy snacks, like potato chips. Most dollar stores carry both the plain and the flavored kinds.
- Queso and cheese: Sure, it’s not the best cheese, but will probably taste great on top of a grilled burger in a lettuce wrap. Many dollar stores offer a refrigerated section where you can find cheese, hot dogs, and sometimes, other meat and dairy. For instance, they may carry packs of lunch meat and string cheese.
- Pickled vegetables: Lots of folks who are new to a keto diet are surprised how well pickled veggies can satisfy cravings. Look for pickles, olives, and other pickled veggies in bottles or cans without too much added sugar at your friendly dollar store.
- Canned meat and fish: Sometimes, tuna at dollar stores is more expensive to the store brand at larger grocery stores. However, canned chicken, beef, or even other canned fish, like sardines, may have more competitive pricing.
- Sauces and spices: You don’t want to cook without spices and sauces, do you? You can pick up salt, pepper, and other savory spices at the dollar store. Also, check the shelf for low-carb sauces and flavoring packets. You might also find alternative sweeteners that work with your macros.
- Nuts and peanuts: Some people like to fit nuts and peanuts into their carb budgets, and places like Dollar Tree offer good deals sometimes, especially on packages of peanuts in the shell. To be fair, the peanut butter containers are often too small to be much of a deal or a meal.
Sure, popular low-carb diets like to market themselves with images of people enjoying steak and lobster that’s drenched in butter sauce. However, most of us wouldn’t fit that sort of cuisine into our budgets regularly. On the other hand, a trip to the dollar store may yield enough savings to allocate more to fancy food when you do visit a supermarket.