Paleo Meat Portion Size per Meal??

[RoboSaver]

So I'm new to the forum and starting to dabble with slashing our grocery bill (currently $1,200 per month on a good month).

Most of the meals we eat are paleo (organic meat and veggies), but I think the portion size of the meat may be one of the things that is driving up our grocery bill. For example, a typical dinner for my wife and I will consist of 1.5 pounds of organic chicken breast which costs $14.99 pretax at Safeway. The package consists of two chicken breasts and we each get one. Sometimes, there will be enough leftover for my wife to have lunch the following day.

So, to summarize, our meals our costing approximately $7.50 per person for just the meat portion which is 12 ounces. The cost of veggies is in addition.

I'm curious what cost is per meal for people doing Paleo and how much meat (ounces) people are typically eating per meal.

Thank you so much for any feedback!!! I'm super excited to be here!!

[vand]

at $10/lb I don't think its the size that's the issue.

Breast is the overrated and expensive part of a chicken anyway. Thighs and other parts that have fat and ligament and are bound to bones are tastier and, dare I say, more true to paleo. If you can, go for chicken livers - delicious and much more nutritious

[PoutineLover]

That seems like a crazy high price for chicken, even these days, but maybe it's because it's organic. When we buy meat we don't go to the store with a specific type of cut in mind, we get what's on sale and looks good, and buy extra to go in the freezer. Then you always have a rotation of meats available but you never l pay full price.

[Ron Scott]

My wife and I eat meat once or twice a week, same for fish, and avoid organic anything. 1 lb of meat or fish is perfect for the 2 of us. Half the week or more we go for loaded salads or some kind of mixed vegetables and couscous. At least once a week we’ll share a take-out platter (last night was Greek salad and Spanakopita) and add a veggie side dish of our own. We like fancy rolls and share one with dinner. Pizza a couple times a month. Breakfast is yogurt or half a bagel with a slice of cheese. Lunch is light, a snack mostly, and leftovers.

She likes to shop different foods at different places and has a great feel for comparative prices. Staples are ShopRite, Whole Foods, Trader Joe, Costco. I grill and am a better salad maker, but basically do what I’m told.

I don’t add it up all the time but we’re well under your number.

[Louise]

That price seems high. I can find organic free range chicken from the store for $4 less per pound, but I guess it depends where you live. We buy a lot of our meat from local farmers. Is that an option where you live? I can find whole chickens (org/FR) for $6.25/lb, or a whole hog for $250, or grass fed beef for just over $3/lb plus butcher processing.

We bought a quarter of beef last year and it lasted a long time for our small family.

[Monocle Money Mouth]

I was thinking the same thing as the other posters. $10/lb. is a lot.

I don't  know what part of the country you are, but if you are near a Walmart that has a full size grocery section, their chicken prices are much better. In Ohio, Perdue organic chicken is around $6.50/lb., Perdue free range is $5.25, and the generic house brand is $2.97. I don't have many recipes that use breasts, but I've found Walmart store brand breasts are fine. You may have to do some additional cleanup before cooking them. Even if you pay for a couple ounces of gristle, you'll still come out ahead and can keep eating the same quantity if you want.

[curious_george]

That seems like a crazy high price for chicken, even these days, but maybe it's because it's organic. When we buy meat we don't go to the store with a specific type of cut in mind, we get what's on sale and looks good, and buy extra to go in the freezer. Then you always have a rotation of meats available but you never l pay full price.

This is what I do.

Also - Sam's club / Costco rotisserie chickens for 5 dollars. They are not organic but they are pretty cheap.

[sonofsven]

I buy chicken at Costco; sometines breast but most often bone in thighs. I can't remember but I think it's around $3/lb.  Not organic.
One thing I learned, and it's been discussed elsewhere here, is that the Kirkland chicken that comes in six packs that is labeled as "air chilled" is preferable as it's blasted with cold air during processing, not dunked in ice water.

[Dreamer40]

For good evidence-based nutrition information, check out the “ ZOE science and nutrition” podcast. My doctor recommended it and it’s really interesting. I haven’t listened to the episode, but they did one on how much protein to eat. That might answer your question.