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Fasting Mimicking Diet on a Budget: Affordable and Nutritious Options

Fasting Mimicking Diet on a Budget: Affordable and Nutritious Options
Photo by Tangerine Newt / Unsplash

My friend texted me yesterday asking, "Sofia, why does eating less have to cost so much?" She'd just discovered ProLon® was $189 for five days of food that's basically... less food. And honestly? I couldn't argue with her math.

Here's the thing about the Fasting Mimicking Diet: the science is solid, but the price tag can feel like a punch to the gut. And that's when I realized we all deserve access to health benefits without breaking our grocery budget.

After months of experimenting with DIY alternatives (and tracking every penny), I've cracked the code on doing FMD affordably. Spoiler: you can do this for under $30.

The Budget-Friendly Blueprint

Let's be honest here - ProLon® exists because Dr. Valter Longo did incredible research. But the actual foods? They're not magical unicorn ingredients. They're nuts, olives, and vegetables arranged in very specific ratios.

My go-to affordable FMD staples:

  • Bulk almonds and walnuts ($8-10/week)
  • Canned olives ($3-4)
  • Frozen vegetable soups ($5-6)
  • Herbal teas (bulk bins are your friend!)
  • Basic supplements like glycerol ($5)

The secret sauce isn't the foods themselves - it's hitting those macros: roughly 40% carbs, 10% protein, 50% fat.

Making It Work (Without Going Broke)

Shop discount stores, buy in bulk, and prep everything Sunday night. I make vegetable broth in my Instant Pot (as one does) and portion everything into containers. Total prep time: 2 hours. Total cost: $25-30.

Pro tip: coconut oil in herbal tea hits different when you're hungry. Trust me on this one.

Look, I'm not saying DIY is for everyone. If you can afford ProLon®, it's convenient and clinically tested. But if you're choosing between FMD benefits and paying rent? This budget version gets you 80% of the way there.

What's your biggest obstacle to trying FMD - cost, time, or something else? Drop a comment below!

Disclaimer: I'm just a girl sharing what works for me - not a doctor, nutritionist, or medical professional. This isn't medical advice. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any fasting protocol, especially if you have health conditions. What works for my body might not work for yours, and that's totally okay!