The ketogenic diet is incredibly popular right now, and it's easy to see why. It promises quick weight-loss results while still allowing (and encouraging) you to indulge in foods like steak and cheese. Before you try it, though, it's important to realize that keto can end up costing more than a balanced diet–both financially and in terms of health–in the long run. In this article, we explore why.

Typical ingredients found in a ketogenic meal include steak, chicken, fatty fish, bacon, and cheese–all of which can significantly drive up your groceries cost. The cost difference between a ketogenic diet and a balanced meal becomes apparent when you compare the costs of protein-heavy ingredients to those of vegetables and grains. When a higher proportion of the meal is allocated to vegetables and grains, their lower prices can help to bring down the