The ketogenic diet, better known as the keto diet, has risen to popularity in the last few years. While the major reason for this has been its slew of health benefits, people have also greatly appreciated its flexibility, especially in terms of outlay. You can easily follow the keto diet even if you’re running low on budget, which isn’t so straightforward on a vegan or gluten-free diet.

Most foods that fit the standard for a keto diet are affordable, making it easy to prepare budget meals.

1. Eggs
Eating fewer carbs and more fats is the main feature of the keto diet. Eggs are ideal in this respect, as a single egg has only one gram of carbs. Eggs are a great source of protein, which helps build bones and muscles and repairs tissues in the body. Scrambled eggs are a budget-friendly meal that is easy and quick to make. Egg butter is another affordable low-carb meal you can try.

2. Meat and poultry
Both meat and poultry offer various health benefits, including increased metabolism and muscle maintenance. They don’t cost a lot and can be easily found at every store. As far as their eligibility on a keto diet is concerned, both are perfect as they contain zero carbs. Protein is the main ingredient in meat and poultry, and it helps lower blood pressure and increases strength. Bacon-wrapped keto meatloaf and keto fried rice with pork are two easy, affordable meals you can cook when running low on cash.

3. Broccoli
Although many vegetables, like kale and spinach, are recommended on a keto diet, broccoli is the cheapest of the lot. It just costs a little over $1.50 per head, which is fantastic as you gain vital nutrients without exceeding your budget. It comes loaded with vitamin C, crucial for wound healing and cell protection. Affordable meals that feature broccoli include broccoli, ham, and mushroom keto bake, and butter-fried broccoli.

4. Unsweetened coffee and tea
Coffee and tea can help you maintain the keto diet even during a tricky financial situation. Both of them are relatively inexpensive and easy to find at your local store. They’re carb-free drinks, which fit the criteria for a keto diet. The right amount of these beverages also reduces the likelihood of heart failure, protects the liver from damage, and makes the DNA stronger.

5. Yogurt and cottage cheese
Both these dairy products cost under $3 at local stores. They’re high in protein and low on carbs, which assists in weight loss. Yogurt is also known to benefit digestive health and strengthen the immune system. Appealing but affordable meal options involving these foods include bacon cheeseburger casserole and fried fish with yogurt and walnut dip.