What Do You Really Spend on an Animal-Based, 90% Whole-Food Diet?

When someone asks, “What do you spend on food?” My gut reaction is less than most people expect—especially when you focus on whole, animal-based foods and ditch the junk, snacks, and processed fillers.

We follow a diet that is roughly 90% whole food, mostly animal-based—meaning meat, dairy, eggs, and some fruit (and extremely limited snacks). That means very few vegetables, no processed junk, and almost no packaged foods. In short: real food, mostly from animals.

I’ll walk you through how much this kind of diet can cost (and how to make it more affordable), plus strategies we use at home. If you’re curious how a “meat + dairy + fruit” approach compares to conventional diets, read on.

The Landscape: What Others Say About Animal-Based/Carnivore Diet Costs

Before I dive into my numbers, here’s what research and anecdote say:

• Some advocates claim you can sustain an animal-based diet for $12–$18 per day, depending on how lean or premium your cuts are.

• Others propose that, with bulk buying and smart cuts, even $5–$7 per day might be feasible for a carnivore-style approach.

• On the flip side, analyses of commonly consumed diets (like DASH or whole-food plant-based) estimate average daily costs around $10–$16 (before accounting for premium cuts or organic vs conventional)

• Some voices in the animal-based communities emphasize that cost often comes down to which cuts, where you buy, and how much waste you allow (i.e., trimming, cooking smart, and minimizing spoilage).

All of this aligns: an animal-centric diet can be pricier, but the gap is smaller than many assume—especially once you remove processed foods, packaged snacks, and empty-calorie junk.

Our Real Costs (and How We Make It Work)

Here’s a breakdown of how our household approaches food with a mostly animal-based diet and what we actually spend. Use it as a benchmark or guide—your local prices and food habits will vary.

What We Eat, and Why It Helps Control Cost

• Simple proteins, frequently: ground beef, chicken thighs, eggs, whole milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter.

• Less premium cuts—We avoid relying on ribeye or ultra-lean “fitness meats” all the time. Chuck, brisket, offal, and bulk packs help lower per-kg cost.

• Seasonal fruit or light plant foods only occasionally. These add micronutrient diversity without turning into a full veggie-based diet.

• Minimal snacking or processed foods: Because nearly everything we eat is satiating (fat + protein), we don’t need junk food, chips, bars, or sugary drinks.

• Batch cooking & using leftovers: We cook large roasts, shred meats, and repurpose them over multiple meals.

• Smart storage & freezing: Buying in bulk when meat is on sale and freezing portions avoids spoilage waste.

Sample Monthly Budget Estimate

Here’s a rough (hypothetical) monthly budget for one person following this style. Double or triple for a family.

Total rough estimate (one person): $82–$185 USD/month, which translates to $2.70–$6.10 USD/day.

In many regions, that’s competitive with or even cheaper than diets relying heavily on processed or packaged food (once you factor in “junk food” costs).

Of course—your numbers will depend heavily on local meat prices, availability, discounts, and your discipline with waste.

Strategies to Lower the Cost (Without Sacrificing Quality)

Here’s what’s worked well for us (and what you can try):

1. Buy in bulk/wholesale—local farmers, butchers, bulk meat sales.

2. Choose “less glamorous” cuts—chuck roast, stew meat, and organ cuts.

3. Use the nose-to-tail philosophy—bones for broth, organs, and trim fat.

4. Freeze smart—immediately portion and freeze; label and rotate.

5. Cook large, reuse leftovers—one roast becomes 2–3 meals.

6. Track and reduce waste—watch what spoils; adjust portions.

7. Shop sales & seasonal deals—stack discounts, buy ahead.

8. Limit food variety demands—the more variety you demand, the more expensive it gets.

Pros & Cons: Is It Worth It?

Benefits of Our Approach

• High satiety from protein and fat → fewer food cravings

• Reduced processed food costs, snack costs, “junk food temptation”

• Simpler menu, minimal meal planning complexity

• Better control over ingredients, no mystery additives

Potential Drawbacks

• Micronutrient gaps: We must ensure we get vitamins and minerals (vitamin C, magnesium, and fiber) from limited fruit or occasional plant foods.

• Digestive adjustments: Very low fiber can affect digestion, so you must monitor bowel health and hydration.

• Cost volatility: Meat prices fluctuate wildly—what’s cheap one month may be expensive the next.

• Social & variety limitations: Eating out or social meals can be trickier to adhere to.

• Health monitoring: Some individuals may need lab work (lipids, kidney function, micronutrients) if adopting a highly restrictive regimen.

How We Track & Optimize

We use a simple monthly log (spreadsheet) that tracks:

• Cost per meal (divide monthly cost by meals eaten)

• Waste & spoilage (what was discarded)

• Nutrient supplementation (when needed)

• Flex slots—occasional treat, fish, or salad slots to maintain balance and variety

By adjusting portion size, cuts, and frequency, we often bring down cost mid-month when we see overspending.

Final Thoughts—And What You Should Consider

If someone asks, “What do you spend on food?” Using a mostly animal-based, 90% whole food diet, the answer is not nearly as much as you might expect—with the right strategy.

Yes, it can cost a bit more than ultra-cheap processed foods. But when you factor in what you don’t spend (snacks, packaged goods, “junk food” additions), the margin narrows.

If you’re curious to try this style of eating, start small: pick one animal-based week, track your costs, and compare with your usual. You might find it’s more sustainable—both for your body and your wallet—than you assumed.

Real-Life Grocery Examples

If you’re curious what real products fit into a mostly animal-based, whole-food lifestyle, here are two simple examples that reflect both convenience and quality.

For those who include dairy alternatives or need something shelf-stable for travel or busy weeks, this organic non-dairy vanilla soy beverage is a great option—smooth, versatile, and rich enough to complement protein-heavy meals or coffee. You can check it out here: Organic Soy Beverage (12-pack).

And if you want to focus more on hearty, nutrient-dense meals, this 2.5-lb chuck roast from grass-fed bison makes an excellent slow-cooked dinner that’s packed with clean protein and flavor—perfect for anyone following an animal-based diet. Find it here: Bison Chuck Roast – 2.5 lb Pot Roast.

Both are examples of high-quality, whole-food staples that make sticking to a simple, real-food lifestyle easier—without relying on processed or packaged snacks.

Meal Prep That Pays You Back—In Time, Money & Calories

One of the biggest levers I’ve pulled in managing both cost and convenience is strategic meal prepping. That’s why I created the digital resource Meal Prep Economics: Save Time, Money & Calories (Guide + Notion Template). It’s got everything you need—step-by-step planning, budgeting strategies, and a ready-to-use Notion template to map out your meals each week. If you want to take the guesswork out of your menu, maximize your food budget, and minimize waste, you can grab it here: Meal Prep Economics Guide + Template.