Living Paleo For Dummies
Book image
Explore Book Buy On Amazon

You might be wondering what impact living Paleo will have on your budget. The truth is that eating like cave men — meat, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats — is more economical in the long run than eating packaged food that's devoid of nutrition.

If you decide to invest in grass-fed, pastured meats and organic produce, you may see an increase in your grocery tab at first, but that extra expense will be offset by the long-term health benefits — plus fewer meals at restaurants — of living Paleo. With a little creativity and exploration, you can find reasonable prices on high-quality foods that are as good for your wallet as they are for your body.

Choose whether to buy organic

Eating local produce that's in season is the best option, both for the health of your body and your bank account. But not all your produce needs to be organic. Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) identifies the dirty dozen of produce: fruits and vegetables with higher levels of pesticides.

If you can afford it, buy organic versions of the produce on that list, but if your budget can't support it, buy local, conventionally grown produce and wash it well under running water before eating.

The dirty dozen — buy organic

Buy organic versions of these fruits and vegetables whenever possible:

  • Apples

  • Bell peppers

  • Blueberries

  • Celery

  • Cucumbers

  • Grapes

  • Lettuce

  • Nectarines

  • Peaches

  • Potatoes

  • Spinach

  • Strawberries

The clean 15 — buy conventional

When you can't find or afford to buy organic, buying conventionally grown versions of these fruits and vegetables is okay; just be sure to wash them thoroughly under running water:

  • Asparagus

  • Avocado

  • Cabbage

  • Cantaloupe

  • Eggplant

  • Grapefruit

  • Kiwi

  • Mango

  • Mushrooms

  • Onions

  • Pineapple

  • Sweet peas

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Watermelons

Assess your meat options: Grass-fed and pastured or factory-farmed

Grass-fed, pastured meat is better for you and better for the environment than factory-farmed animals. This high-quality meat is more expensive than conventional, grocery store meat, but the payoff for your health and the planet is worth the investment, if you can afford it.

Grass-fed pastured animals live as they should, in humane, natural conditions that don't require that they're fed antibiotics. Healthier animals mean healthier, more nutritious meat for you. Grass-fed, pastured meats have healthier fat, too. They're up to four times higher in vitamin E than feedlot beef. The meat is lower in overall fat, too, and it's higher in health-friendly omega-3 fatty acids.

If your budget can't support buying pastured meat on a regular basis, treat yourself when you can, and the rest of the time, the following cuts are a good second choice:

  • Skinless chicken or turkey breast

  • Eye of round roast or steak

  • Sirloin tip side steak

  • Top round roast and steak

  • Bottom round roast and steak

  • Top sirloin steak

  • Low-fat ground beef

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Melissa Joulwan is the author of the paleo recipe and lifestyle blog www.theclothesmakethegirl.com. Dr. Kellyan Petrucci, who is a go-to expert in the nutritional field, helps patients build the strongest, healthiest body possible through her family-based workshops and consulting practice (www.drkellyann.com).

This article can be found in the category: