L.A. Liberty

Paleo/primal on a budget

Here are some quick tips.

If you buy a packaged product, inspect the ingredient list. If there is any mention of corn, grain, soy, sugar (fructose, glucose, etc.), starch, or anything unfamiliar or unpronounceable - think twice. If you opt for something that saves you a few cents but compromises your health, what’s the point?
Eggs. What’s not to love? Can be used in nigh-limitless ways, provide great protein, and can be found cheap. Stick to organic and free-range eggs - they aren’t too expensive but are much healthier.
Add bulk with cheap veggies. Broccoli, peppers, onions, squash, zucchini, and leafy greens are often pretty cheap and can be added to almost any meal. Cauliflower is sometimes a little more expensive than broccoli but it’s a transformative addition that can be roasted, fried, riced, pureed, etc. We use sweet potato as a side about two to three times a week.
Look into a local CSA or farmer’s market, as it’s often cheaper (and of higher quality) than buying produce at a supermarket. (We did the CSA thing for a while but found our farmer’s market was cheaper. Your milage may vary).
Often it’s cheaper to buy frozen veggies. They’re just as nutritious, and if they’re getting cooked anyway it usually doesn’t matter that they’re frozen. This goes for fruits, too - especially berries.
Fish. Trader Joe’s has great seafood selections for cheap. In fact, they have a lot of affordable food options for people going paleo/primal. What’s more regionally available is likely to be the most affordable. Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and squid tend to be very cheap around here - since they’re local and plentiful year-round.
Offal is delicious and incredibly cheap. I just picked up 3 pounds of chicken hearts for $4. That fed me three times and my daughters twice. And using plenty of butter and oil and onions and garlic and citrus and spices - it’s a hell of a meal. Keep an eye out for more ignored parts of the animal. Your best-bets are asian and hispanic markets.
Grass-fed beef is best, but it’s not always cheap. If you can’t afford it, don’t worry about it too much. Just opt for it when you can. Same goes for pastured pig and chicken (though you should be able to find good quality chicken for cheap). I’d stick with grass-fed butter - no compromise on that one.
Edit: Do at least try to stick to organic even if not grass-fed/pastured. No reason to ingest hormones and other unsavory non-foods.
Discover goat. It’s the most commonly eaten animal in the world, but not exactly a staple in American diets. In reality, it’s quite delicious when cooked properly. And cheap.
Avocados. At least here in California (where they’re abundant), avocados are very affordable. They’re even cheaper in Florida. And very primal/paleo.
A Costco or Sam’s Club membership, especially one that’s shared with some college buddies, more than pays for itself after one or two shops (though steer clear of their many aisles of grains!).
Don’t forget that Amazon sells some food items. I get a number of things - including coconut oil and olive oil - from Amazon for VERY cheap.
If you’re trying to save money, cans can be acceptable. Tomatoes, tuna, salmon, and sardines are all just fine out of a can (but check ingredient list).
Consider the savings when you’re drinking water instead of sodas and juices.
Don’t be afraid to skip a meal if you’re not hungry. After going primal/paleo, you’ll find you’re satiated longer and don’t have the need to chase insulin spikes. Don’t feel the need to stick to a schedule or follow the old advice of “breaking” your fast to kick-start your metabolism. If you’re not hungry, don’t eat. (If you’re never hungry but actually starving yourself, go see a doctor or something.)
Sometimes a small handful of walnuts, almonds, or macadamias is all you need to keep you going for a few more hours.
Use a crock pot. Making big stews will allow you to use the cheaper but tougher cuts of meat that require slow cooking. You can also throw in various leftover ingredients so you waste less. Plus, buying in bulk to make a crock pot stew that lasts you several meals may make you a frugal gourmet.
Grow your own herbs. Even if all you have is a small kitchen window, you can grow basil and mint and rosemary pretty easily - and that will pay for itself fairly quickly.
Make your own bacon, jerky, and ghee. And pemmican.
If you live in a dorm, I’m sure you can find some people who’ll split a quarter cow or half pig with you (can be bought from a local ranch or various places online). If you can do this, you can save a ton.
Don’t be above clipping coupons, though the kind of things that are usually discounted with coupons tend to not be very caveman-friendly.
If you’re really strapped for cash, try bone broth or chicken soup.