Paleo On A Budget

Going Paleo doesn’t have to be expensive. In my last trip to CostCo, I managed to stuff my fridge with all sorts of paleo goodness that’ll keep me set for a few weeks. I took a few photos and hopefully, for those of you who are looking to try a paleo diet, these might help you get started. Granted, you’ll need to pick up a membership to CostCo, or one of the similar competitors like BJ’s or Sam’s Club, but in my opinion, the money’s well worth it.

Almond Butter – $5.79 per bottle

The giant tub on the right dwarfs even my previous value champion, Trader Joe’s.  At 26 oz, it is 10 oz more than the jar size I get at TJ’s, and I’m pretty sure it’s about 14 oz. larger than the jars you can pick up at Whole Foods.  The price is comparable to TJ’s, and I’m fairly certain cheaper than much smaller bottles at Whole Foods of the same brand.

They keep it simple here, with nothing added beyond dry roasted almonds. No sugars, no extra oils, just almonds.  I picked up three bottles, which should last me about a month or so.

Guacamole – $7.99 for 3 tubs

If almonds aren’t your thing, or you have a nut allergy of any sorts, this might be just the fats you’re looking for.  These tubs of guacamole are amazing.  They come smashed and perfectly sealed, with about 2 cups worth of guacamole in each tub.  You can put the unopened tubs in the freezer for later use if you don’t think you’re going to go through it all in one go.  I added a bit of lime juice and smoked paprika, and almost polished an entire tub in one sitting.

Grilled Chicken Breast Strips – $9.99 for two 2lb bags (4 lbs total)

If you’re short on time for cooking, these work well in a pinch.  I usually throw one bag in the freezer, and steadily plow through these chicken strips through the week with some asparagus for lunch.  All you need to do is reheat these, and you’re good to go!  Not free range or vegetarian fed, but they’re a better choice than something that’s drenched in a sugary sauce instead.

Organic Cage -Free Vegetarian Fed Eggs – $6.99 for 2 dozen

Considering that a dozen of cage-free vegetarian fed eggs at my local ethnic grocery store still run about $3 – $4, I thought these were a pretty good value.  I’ll generally take half and hard boil them, and use the other half for cooking.  Super high quality eggs, and a very good price.

D’anjou Pears – $4.79 for 6 lbs

I’ve recently rediscovered pears, and d’anjour pears are some of my favorites.  I’ll keep most of the chillin’ in the fridge, taking out two to three at a time to put in the fruit bowl.  They’re in season right now, and a nice post workout carbohydrate source.

Plums – $5.99 for 4 lbs

Another favorite post workout carbohydrate, or even something to start the day, I do the same thing with these that I do with the pears.  I keep the vast majority of this crate in the fridge, and put a few to ripen in the fruit bowl, replenishing them as I go through them during the week.

Mini Sweet Peppers – $4.49 for 2 lbs

These are my favorite type of vegetable carbohydrate.  Slice off the top, remove the seeds, and eat them raw.  They’re just sweet enough that you could fool yourself you’re eating some semi-sweet apples.

A few more items not pictured:

• Baby Spinach – $4.99 for 2.5 lbs – Another easy to use and versatile vegetable.  Use it to boost the protein in your salads, steam it with some chicken broth and side it with some meat, or any other number of ways you’d like to eat it.
• Asparagus Spears – $3.99 for 2.25 lbs – I take about 10-12 spears, snap off the ends, and cut into thirds.  Then I’ll take those and pair it with the grilled chicken above, and I’ve got a lunch made in less than five minutes.
• Sweet Potatoes – $8.99 for 10 lbs – Another great post workout carbohydrate, really does wonders to restore your glycogen levels after a heavy metcon that leaves you gasping for air on the floor.
• Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausages – $13.99 for 3 lbs – I love these sausages because, again, they’re quick to slice and prepare for lunch, and all you have to do is heat them up.  They’re not great in terms of sodium levels, but not horrible if you’re eating them every day.  No sugar in the ingredients list, so these are good by me.

All in all, I gathered quite a stash of food.  If you’ve got more than one mouth to feed, then this food will go fast, but if not, it’ll last you a few weeks with maybe an occasional trip to the store to pick up some other meats or veggies to supplement your hoard.