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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

How can I follow Briffa's diet CHEAPLY?

9 replies

MyNewVenture · 10/01/2013 18:57

I am really taken by his work, but have noticed that snacking on the darkest fine chocolate, greek yoghurt and cashew nuts is more expensive than my normal diet. How do I eat high protein, high fat, low carb food cheaply.

Can anyone give me some cheap ideas please?

Many thanks

OP posts:
ecuse · 11/01/2013 09:49

I'm mulling over the idea of low carbing as is my DP and we had the same concerns. But we were thinking the fact that everyone says you're less hungry when you're in ketosis might offset the food bills a bit Grin

But basically there's not much getting away from the fact that a steak for dinner is more expensive than a plate of pasta pesto.

I haven't tried any of this yet, so take my ideas with a pinch of salt, but I was thinking that hard boiled eggs and chicken drumsticks would probably be good snacks to keep in the fridge for quick lunches and breakfasts and both relatively cheap.

Omelettes probably a quick cheap and filling meal. And things made with mince. I think the value mince tends to be fattier (=good) and cheaper than the extra lean stuff so that may help too.

HelpOneAnother · 11/01/2013 10:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bifftastic · 11/01/2013 10:16

I saved money low carbing because I wasnt shovelling cakes and crisps in my face.

Eggs, tinned fish, olives are cheaper options.

BlackAffronted · 11/01/2013 10:40

Lidl! Veg is cheap, eggs are cheap, they do massive tubs of Greek yog which is low carb and their meat is pretty good too.

Brisket, pork shoulder, belly pork - all cheap but great for this WOE.

Mince! Make your own burgers, meatballs, bolognaise etc. You want the fattier mince, which is usually the cheapest one - £2 for 500g in Lidl.

When you are burning fat instead of carbs (a week or so into proper low carbing) you really dont feel the need to snack much - i am saving loads this way!

I lost 12lbs in my first week, fair chuffed.

BlackAffronted · 11/01/2013 10:43

Pork scratchings in Home Bargains are very cheap, about 19p for a wee bag.

Sainsburys do small bags of macadamia or almonds for £1 (those are the lowest carb nuts I think)

Buy a pack of chicken drumsticks, cook & keep in the fridge to nibble on.

Make your own mayo, and dollop it on everything. All you need is some olive oil & eggs.

HelpOneAnother · 11/01/2013 10:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FurryDogMother · 11/01/2013 16:25

Buy whole chickens, joint them into 2 breasts, 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, 2 wings and a carcass. Use the carcass to make stock, and then freeze it. Freeze each type of joint in separate bags. Use the breasts, thighs and drumsticks as and when, but save the wings - do this a few times until you have a bag of enough wings to make a meal.

Mince dishes: bolognese (served over shredded lettuce), moussaka (with a topping made from cream, cheese and eggs), shepherd's pie (using swede in place of mash), sheek kebabs, chilli. Use mushrooms to increase bulk.

Think of cheap fish like mackerel, herrings and whiting. Tinned tuna or tuna in pouches. Make sardine paté from mashed up tinned sardines.

Crustless quiches are great - 4 eggs to 250ml cream, handful of grated cheese, add whatever filling you like (salmon and broccoli, bacon bits, mushrooms and peppers etc.). Mix, pour into a pyrex dish, bake at 180 for around 40 mins or until no longer wobbly. Cool, cut into slices, good for snacks on the run.

Think offal. Though slightly higher in carbs than muscle meats, organ meats (liver, kidneys) are cheap and tasty.

Devilled eggs (remove yolk from halved hard boiled egg, mix with some mayo, seasoning and some hot sauce, I like Sriracha best, put yolk mix back into egg half hollows) are better than plain hard boiled eggs because the mayo increases the fat content - not to mention a more interesting taste.

Have a few veggie-based meals, like cauliflower cheese, or aubergine parmigiana, or big flat mushrooms spread with garlic butter, sprinkled with grated Parmesan, and baked until soft. Look for avocados that are discounted cos they're at their sell by date, and make guacamole.

Aldi and Lidl have some great dark chocolate at a good price. Lidl do a 1000g pot of Greek yoghurt too, and also bags of cashews more cheaply than most places (though I prefer brazils).

Ask your butcher (if you're lucky enough to still have one!) for marrow bones 'for the dog' - roast, then make stock from them, great for soups! Also the marrow itself is a bit of a delicacy, if you like that sort of thing (I do!). Greengrocers will often give you a bag of wilting green veggies 'for the guinea pig' if you ask (and I'm not too proud to!) - cut out the good bits and make soup.

Anything that'll go on pasta will also go on shredded lettuce - think carbonara, alfredo, puttanesca etc.

In a couple of months, think about growing your own salad veggies - it can even be done in a window box, very easy - radishes, lettuces etc.

Eek, that was a bit of a long one, but hope it helps!

BlackAffronted · 12/01/2013 07:21

I cooked the brisket in my slow cooker, with a little stock & lots of low carb veg.

MyNewVenture · 12/01/2013 18:11

Wow - some amazing ideas here - thank you. My mouth is watering just reading this.

I had forgotten about pork scratchings - I went into a newsagent the other day and struggled to find anything bar a pkt or pistachios.

I haven't finished the book yet, but have listened to the hour long YouTube of Dr Briffa. If I eat so much fat I go over the cals I am burning, will I not loose weight?

I have discovered the Lidl greek yoghurt - it's lovely.

Thanks so much, this week the only thing that feels lighter is my purse!

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