6 Ways to Conquer Whole30 When You’re on a Budget
Updated: Aug. 14, 2018The Whole30 diet doesn't have to break the bank.
Whole30 has not only revolutionized how many of us think about food, but it has built a community of like-minded, health conscious individuals. From social media to meet-ups, people get together to chat about recipes, lifestyle changes and share tips on how for conquering the Whole30 diet. But, by eating no processed foods, no sugars and only certain meats, this can all add up, even if you’re just sticking to it for the initial 30 days. But, here’s how you can save!
1. Shop at Discount Stores
Stores like Aldi and Trader Joe’s often offer items you need at a fraction of the price of high-end health food stores. Though ghee, a staple of cooking in Whole30 can be around $13-20, I was able to snag a jar at Aldi. Aldi and Trader Joe’s also offer affordable sauces, produce, eggs and even some frozen items that work well.
2. Order Online
Though some companies are Whole30 compliant, with shipping costs, these pre-approved snacks can add up. Check out amazon.com or your other favorite online retailers to find great deals on Whole30 salad dressings, meat sticks and even bacon as you prepare to get started on your Whole30 journey!
3. Buy in Bulk
When you’re on Whole30, it’s not uncommon to have new staples that you’re eating on a daily basis. I have friends who stock up on frozen butternut squash at Sam’s Club and Whole30-friendly bacon at Costco. This is also an opportunity to buy fruits and vegetables that freeze easily or stock up on eggs. Save even more by going together with your other Whole30 friends! Heading to Costco? Check out these 5 perks that only members know about!
4. Meal Share
I just heard a great idea from one of my Facebook Whole30 boards. Members that lived near each other cooked up big batches of Whole30 meals, then got together for an exchange. Nine of them went to the last meet-up and they all left with 8 additional meals for the next week or to store in their freezers.
5. Shop from a Farm
Contact a local farmer or hit up a farmer’s market to get fresh meats and produce. Going directly to the source for meat can save you substantially and allow you to fill your freezer for an entire season (or more) with beef, pork and chicken. I have saved a lot of money on groceries by purchasing meat this way.
6. Get Creative
Whole30 is strict, but there are a lot of opportunities to try new foods. Though you may initially stick to things you know you like, search your local grocery store’s circulars for Whole30-compliant items that are on sale and give them a try! You never know what you might like. (I always thought I didn’t like squash and now it’s frequently on my plate, thanks to a great sale at Kroger!)
Though Whole30 may seem daunting and expensive, by planning your meals ahead of time, making a realistic budget, and shopping at multiple stores, you can make this lifestyle change at any budget. Here are some easy ways to start meal planning this weekend!
Get started with these Whole30 recipes.
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Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Smoky Cauliflower
The smoked Spanish paprika gives a simple side of roasted cauliflower extra depth. This is definitely a favorite. —Juliette Mulholland, Corvallis, Oregon
Grilled Tilapia Piccata
We aren’t big fish eaters, but a friend made this for us, and we couldn’t believe how wonderful it was! Now we eat it regularly. I love making it for guests because it’s simple, looks lovely and tastes restaurant-worthy. —Beth Cooper, Columbus, Ohio
Savory Pork Roast
I love this herbed roast so much that I make it as often as I can. It's wonderful for special occasions, particularly when served with sweet potatoes and corn muffins. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
Even a beginner cook could make this slow cooked chicken and have it turn out perfectly. This recipe could not be easier. A few minutes of prep and you'll come home to a delicious dinner. —Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee
Tasty Marinated Tomatoes
My niece introduced me to this colorful recipe some time ago. I make it when I have buffets or large gatherings because it can be prepared hours ahead. This is a wonderful way to use a bumper crop of tomatoes. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
Lemon Vinaigrette Potato Salad
I developed this recipe for a friend who needed a potato salad that could withstand Fourth of July weather. The vinaigrette was a safe and delicious alternative to traditional mayonnaise-based potato salads. I've also substituted fresh thyme for the basil. Any fresh herbs would be great! —Melanie Cloyd, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad
Capturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario
Oven-Roasted Spiced Carrots
I started roasting veggies and serving them often with dinner. Now my children say, “Is it OK to finish the veggies?” Pinch me. —Joan Duckworth, Lee's Summit, Missouri
Roast Pork with Apples & Onions
The sweetness of the apples and onions nicely complements the roast pork. With its crisp skin and melt-in-your-mouth flavor, this is my family's favorite weekend dinner. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Roasted Rosemary Cauliflower
Roasting the cauliflower really brings out its flavor in this side dish. Even folks who aren't cauliflower lovers like it this way. —Joann Fritzler, Belen, New Mexico
Roasted Chicken & Red Potatoes
Here's how long to bake chicken leg quarters. Pop this homey dinner in the oven for about an hour, then enjoy! It has so much flavor—the meat juices help cook the veggies just perfectly. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Hard-Boiled Eggs
In the kitchen, it's important to start with something simple, like how to cook hard-boiled eggs. Use this egg recipe in plenty of dishes, or eat them plain for a quick protein fix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus
Showcase asparagus when you dress it in fresh rosemary and red potatoes for an earthy counterpoint to the fresh, green spears. Add minced garlic and you get a gorgeous, flavorful side dish. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Red Roasted Potatoes
Roasting red potatoes is one of my favorite way to prepare them. Some fragrant rosemary, fresh or dried, gives these potatoes a distinctive but subtle taste. This dish is simple to prepare, yet elegant in color and flavor. It's a wonderful addition to any menu. —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania
Steamed Kale
With this good-for-you steamed kale, it's easy to eat healthy and get out of the kitchen quick. A wonderful accompaniment to most any entree, it is packed with vitamins and is a snap to prepare. I use garlic, red pepper and balsamic vinegar for this side dish that keeps my family coming back for more! —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Cilantro Potatoes
Fresh cilantro gives exotic Syrian-style flavor to these easy skillet potatoes. They’re a great complement to Mom’s tangy kabobs. —Weda Mosellie, Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Mediterranean Chicken
As special as it is simple to prepare, this flavorful skillet creation is dressed in tomatoes, olives and capers. It’s a knockout main dish at my house. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
Mom's Garlic Pork Roast
Mom cooked for 11 children, so her menus usually featured basic, simple foods. But on New Year's Day, she always treated us to this special pork roast. All of us kids agree this was our mom's best meal! — Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Savory Apple-Chicken Sausage
These easy, healthy sausages taste great, and they make an elegant brunch dish. The recipe is also very versatile: It can be doubled or tripled for a crowd, and the sausages freeze well either cooked or raw. —Angela Buchanan, Longmont, Colorado
Italian Herb-Crusted Pork Loin
I like to change things up during the holidays with pork loin recipes that incorporate my favorite herbs and veggies. This showpiece dish really dazzles my family. —Kim Palmer, Kingston, Georgia
Shredded Gingered Brussels Sprouts
Even people who normally don't care for Brussels sprouts will ask for a second helping of these. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Spicy Pork Tenderloin
A friend shared this recipe for marvelously flavorful pork years ago. It really sparks up a barbecue and has been popular whenever I've served it. I guarantee you'll get many requests for the recipe. —Diana Steger, Prospect, Kentucky
Oven Fries
I jazz up these baked french fries with paprika and garlic powder. Something about the combination of spices packs a punch. The leftovers are even good cold! —Heather Byers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Green Beans Provencale
Garlic, tomatoes and olive oil are wonderful ingredients often found in Southern French cooking. In this dish, they complement the green beans perfectly. Paula Wharton — El Paso, Texas
Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Vegetables
There are no complicated steps to follow when preparing this roasted medley of tender pork and veggies. Just season with herbs, then pop in the oven for less than an hour. —Diane Martin, Brown Deer, Wisconsin
Peppery Chicken with Potatoes
We like this recipe because while we go to church on Sundays the chicken cooks and is ready for us when we get home.—Lori Draves, Highland, Wisconsin
Garlic-Chive Baked Fries
Yes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Mushroom and Spinach Saute
Mushrooms and spinach make a super fast combination that’s perfect for two. It’s easy to double or triple for a crowd. —Pauline Howard, Lago Vista, Texas
Chicken Veggie Packets
People think I went to a lot of trouble when I serve these packets. Individual aluminum foil pouches hold in the juices during baking to keep the herbed chicken moist and tender. The foil saves time and makes cleanup a breeze. —Edna Shaffer, Beulah, Michigan
Roasted Radishes
Radishes aren't just for salads anymore. This abundant springtime veggie makes a colorful side to any meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Quick Spicy Shrimp Kabobs
Shrimp lovers will adore these spicy, juicy kabobs. Adjust the cayenne to suit your preference for more or less heat. So quick and easy! —Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois
Slow-Cooker Ratatouille
Not only does this classic recipe make a phenomenal side dish, you can also serve it with sliced French bread for a warm and easy appetizer. Try it in the summer with your garden-fresh vegetables. —Jolene Walters, North Miami, Florida
Herbed Pork and Red Potatoes
This recipe is wonderful because it's not only tasty, but the potatoes are a built-in hot side dish! We made it for our anniversary party, and our guests were more than impressed. —Kate Collins, Auburn, Washington
Warm Green Bean & Potato Salad
The combination of green beans and red potatoes, sometimes known as green beans Pierre, is one of my go-to side dishes. It's terrific with chicken.— Preci D'Silva, Dubai
Sauteed Spring Vegetables
Yellow squash, green asparagus and red onion help usher in the flavors of springtime. For an Asian flavor twist, substitute soy sauce for the balsamic vinegar (reducing the salt due to the soy sauce). Use red pepper flakes for a little added heat. —Billy Hensley, Mount Carmel, Tennessee
Grilled Steaks with Cilantro Sauce
Fresh herbs made into a sauce help make these steaks the main star of our favorite summer grilling menu. —Lynne Keast, Monte Sereno, California
Peppered Beef Tenderloin Roast
A pepper rub gives this moist, tender beef a bit of a zippy taste. It takes just minutes to prepare, and the meat slices well. Lining the baking pan with foil makes it a breeze to clean up, too. —Denise Bitner, Reedsville, Pennsylvania
Baked Broccolini
Broccoli is my favorite vegetable, but when I came across this roasted broccolini recipe, I wanted to try it out. This dish is really tasty and I think other kids will love it, too. —Katie Helliwell, Hinsdale, Illinois
Lemon Garlic Mushrooms
I baste whole mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
Watermelon Tomato Salad
Watermelon and tomatoes may seem an unlikely pair, but they team up to make a winning combination in this eye-catching salad. —Matthew Denton, Seattle, Washington
Rainbow Hash
To entice my family to eat outside their comfort zone, I use lots of color. This happy hash combines sweet potato, carrots, purple potato and kale. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Lemon-Roasted Asparagus
When it comes to fixing asparagus, I think it's hard to go wrong. The springy flavors in this easy recipe burst with every bite. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Vegetable Frittata
When you're looking for something healthy in a hurry, you can't beat this veggie-filled frittata cooked in a cast-iron skillet. —Janet Eckhoff, Woodland, California
Spicy Grilled Eggplant
This side goes well with any meat you might also be grilling. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, the zesty eggplant gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
Roasted Herb & Lemon Cauliflower
A standout cauliflower side is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients. Crushed red pepper flakes add a touch of heat. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
My roommate and I used to make garlicky Brussels sprouts at least twice a week. Now I make them as a healthy side for all sorts of occasions. —Katherine Moore-Colasurd, Cincinnati, Ohio
Garlic and Artichoke Roasted Potatoes
I like to put this side into the oven to roast with the main dish. The artichokes give it a gourmet appeal. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Roasted Garlic Green Beans with Cashews
My mom got a garlic roaster and soon my kitchen was overflowing with heads of sweet, gooey, roasted garlic. This recipe, one of my many experiments, was a favorite of my family. The roasted garlic is mild and adds a rich, buttery taste to the beans. —Virginia Sturm, San Francisco, California
Tomato-Onion Green Beans
Fresh green beans are the stars of this healthy side. Serve with grilled chicken, pork tenderloin or seafood for a delicious end to a busy day. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Sweet Pepper Skillet
If you're looking for tasty sweet pepper recipes to go with spaghetti or meat loaf, this is it. The easy pepper medley is a snap to saute on the stovetop. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Roasted Carrots & Fennel
This addictive vegetable combo is a fresh take on one of my mother's standard wintertime dishes. I usually add more carrots—as many as the pans will hold. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Roasted Green Beans with Lemon & Walnuts
I first tasted roasted green beans in a Chinese restaurant and fell in love with the texture and flavor. This is my Americanized version and it's always a big hit at our holiday table. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Zesty Garlic Broccoli
I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years and often experiment with flavors compatible to the many vegetables I prepare. My nephew, who lived with me for a year while going to graduate school, thought this was one of my best creations. —Louiza Kemyan, Palm Springs, California
Italian Green Bean Salad
Basil and red pepper lend bright flavor to this green bean salad. You'll love the crunch pine nuts provide! Kathy Kittell - Lenexa, Kansas
Garlic-Herb Pattypan Squash
The first time I grew a garden, I harvested summer squash and cooked it with garlic and herbs. Using pattypan squash is a creative twist. —Kaycee Mason, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Green Beans with Shallots
A package of frozen green beans makes these “dill-icious” green beans a fast and tasty accompaniment to almost any main course. —Linda Rabbit, Charles City, Iowa
Sliced Tomato Salad
I got this recipe from my grandmother. It's a perfect platter to serve with burgers or hot sandwiches. —Kendal Tangedal, Plentywood, Montana
Rosemary Root Vegetables
This heartwarming side dish is sure to get rave reviews! Although the ingredient list may look long, you'll soon see that this colorful fall medley is a snap to prepare. —Taste of Home Test KitchenPopular Videos
Originally Published: March 28, 2018
