Hi Kiwigirl

I am from New Zealand as well and bemoaning the fact I didn't start this diet years ago while meat was cheaper.

To start with my grocery bill was a little higher, but now its settled back somewhat and I am fine so long as my teenage daughter doesnt come with me.

In the first couple of weeks we were eating 2 eggs per day each for breakfast but now we have dropped back to just one.
and not every day either.

I dont buy the cheapest bacon because it has too much water in it.

The cheaper mince is fattier but well thats what we are after in any case.

I am no longer buying so much fruit juice, havent bought a potato all year, and no bakery products at all, although I still buy biscuits for my daughters school lunches. I dont buy icecream and the emergency runs to the dairy no longer include a packet of mellowpuffs.

With all the things I dont buy any longer, the bill is not too excessive.

The way the meat specials go - its important to have enough freezer space for variety, otherwise you are eating beef for the whole of one week, followed by lamb the whole of the next.

I guess it would be harder if you are cooking for two styles of eating - or living in a smaller town.