Vegan Diets: Expensive And Unaffordable?

The perception that veganism is expensive is a common misconception. While it is true that some vegan specialty foods, like meat and dairy substitutes, can be pricier than their non-vegan counterparts, a vegan diet can be more affordable than an omnivorous one.

A study by Oxford University found that a vegan diet can reduce food costs by up to one-third. This is because staples like pasta, rice, tofu, and beans are much cheaper than meat. In addition, buying in bulk and shopping seasonally can further reduce costs.

However, it is important to note that the cost of a vegan diet may vary depending on location and access to certain foods.

Vegan staples such as pasta, rice, tofu, and beans are much cheaper than meat

The perception that veganism is expensive stems from the cost of vegan specialty foods, like prepared veggie burgers, which are sometimes more expensive than their non-vegan counterparts. However, buying ingredients and making food at home is almost always cheaper than buying prepared food.

In addition, cooking food from scratch is generally cheaper than buying frozen convenience foods. While vegan frozen foods may use better ingredients, they often carry a premium price. On the other hand, frozen vegetables like peas, corn, and spinach are quite inexpensive and can be used to make healthy meals.

By buying ingredients in bulk and cooking food at home, it is possible to eat a vegan diet on a tight budget. In fact, one source claims that "if you want to eat well on a budget, no other diet compares."

A vegan diet can be cheaper if you avoid meat substitutes

It is a common misconception that veganism is an expensive lifestyle. However, this is not necessarily true. While it is understandable that people may think that veganism is expensive, as vegan specialty foods like meat and dairy substitutes are pricier than their non-vegan counterparts, it is not the only option. In fact, a vegan diet can be tailored to fit into most people's lives, regardless of income.

The key to making a vegan diet affordable is to prepare your own food and cook from scratch. Buying prepackaged and processed foods will always be more expensive, whether vegan or not. By cooking your own meals, you can easily save a lot of money. Cooking your own meals also allows you to be aware of exactly what's in your food.

Vegan diets are typically very accommodating to budget living and eating. Many of the foods considered staples in a typical, healthy vegan diet are very affordable. For example, grains, beans, seeds, and legumes are all inexpensive and nutritious options. You can make a lot of delicious vegan food on a budget! Vegetable curries with rice and tofu, creamy or broth-based soups, vegetable stir-fries, sandwiches, veggie and bean chillies, pasta dishes, and salads are all examples of tasty and affordable vegan meals.

In addition, buying food in bulk, either at the store, online, or through catalogs, can also help make a vegan diet more affordable. Wholesale memberships at stores like Costco can offer significant savings, even for single people or small families, as you can buy non-perishable and far-dated items in bulk to prevent wastage.

It is also a good idea to compare prices between brands and different sizes of products when shopping. Often, the largest package will be the cheapest by weight, but it's not always the case, so be sure to check the unit price or price per weight to get the best deal.

When it comes to produce, buying in season and on-sale fresh produce is usually the most cost-effective option. However, frozen produce can also be a great budget-friendly choice, as it is often cheaper and can last longer, reducing waste. Frozen produce also contains more nutrients than fresh produce since it is frozen at its peak ripeness.

To make a vegan diet even more affordable, it is recommended to limit the purchase of vegan substitutes, as these tend to be some of the most expensive items compared to their volume. Instead, opt for cheaper sources of protein like dried beans and legumes, which are usually very affordable and can be bought in bulk. Tofu is also a budget-friendly option and can be frozen to extend its shelf life.

In summary, a vegan diet can be cheaper if you avoid meat substitutes and focus on whole foods, cook your own meals, buy in bulk, and compare prices to get the best deals. By making these simple adjustments, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy vegan diet on a reasonable budget.

A vegan diet can be cheaper if you cook from scratch

It is a common misconception that veganism is expensive. However, this is not necessarily true. While it is true that some vegan specialty foods, like meat and dairy alternatives, are more expensive than their non-vegan counterparts, there are plenty of ways to eat a vegan diet on a budget.

The benefits of cooking from scratch

The key to eating vegan on a budget is to cook from scratch. Prepared food will always be more expensive than food you make yourself, so buying ingredients and making meals at home will typically save you money.

A study by Oxford University found that a vegan diet reduced food costs by up to one-third due to the use of whole foods over meat and meat replacements. By swapping meat and processed vegan alternatives for more whole food equivalents, such as lentils and chickpeas, cooking becomes more cost-effective without sacrificing flavour.

Tips for cooking vegan food from scratch

• Make a shopping list before you go to the supermarket, so you only buy what you need.
• Buy staple vegan foods such as oats, lentils, pasta, rice and chickpeas, which are among the cheapest foods and feature in a lot of vegan recipes.
• Shop for fruit and vegetables that are in season, as these will be cheaper and taste better.
• Buy in bulk to save money, reduce shopping trips and cut down on plastic packaging.
• Cook in batches and freeze meals for later. Vegan food is great for batch cooking and freezing.
• Cook differently to your well-known meaty diet. Vegan meat substitutes will be more expensive, so try using mushrooms, jackfruit and artichokes for a meaty texture instead.
• Get comfortable with own-brand goods, which are usually cheaper than branded vegan alternatives.

A vegan diet can be cheaper if you buy in bulk

It is a common misconception that veganism is an expensive lifestyle. While it is true that some vegan specialty foods, like meat and dairy substitutes, can be pricier than their non-vegan counterparts, there are many ways to eat a plant-based diet on a budget.

Buying in bulk

Buying in bulk is a great way to save money on a vegan diet. Wholesale clubs like Costco, Sam's Club, or BJ's offer substantial discounts on large quantities of food. Indian, Asian, and Mexican grocery stores also tend to sell beans and rice in large sacks at a steep discount.

Buying frozen

Frozen vegan foods like peas, corn, spinach, and berries are quite inexpensive and generally excellent quality. Plus, they are available year-round.

Buying local and in-season

Pay attention to which fruits and vegetables are in season locally, as these tend to be cheaper and have a lower carbon footprint.

Cooking from scratch

Cooking from scratch is almost always cheaper than buying pre-made or frozen convenience foods. It also gives you more control over the ingredients in your food and can be a fun and rewarding hobby!

Eating out

Eating out at restaurants or getting takeout tends to be much more expensive than cooking at home. By avoiding these options and preparing your own meals, you can save a lot of money.

Planning and meal prepping

Planning your meals for the week and meal prepping in advance can help you save money by reducing food waste and impulse purchases.

Buying staples

Staple foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, leafy greens, beans, rice, and pasta are cheap, nutritious, and versatile. They can be used as a base for a variety of vegan meals.

Buying cheaper alternatives

Some vegan alternatives tend to be cheaper than others. For example, soy milk is generally the cheapest vegan milk, and tofu is a healthy and inexpensive source of protein.

Buying in multiple places

Shopping in multiple places can help you find the best deals. Supermarkets, natural food stores, farmers' markets, and ethnic groceries all offer different selections and prices on vegan foods.

Growing your own food

If you have the space, consider growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This can be a fun and rewarding hobby that saves you money on your grocery bill.

Buying appliances

Investing in a few key appliances, like a rice cooker, bread machine, or Instant Pot, can save you time and money by making it easier to cook at home.

Buying in bulk (again!)

Buying non-perishable vegan foods in bulk, such as nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, from the bulk sections of grocery and health food stores can also save you money.

In conclusion, a vegan diet can be cheaper if you buy in bulk, cook from scratch, plan your meals, and take advantage of deals on staple foods.

A vegan diet can be cheaper if you shop seasonally

It is a common misconception that veganism is expensive. In reality, a vegan diet can be tailored to fit into most people's lives, regardless of income. In fact, vegan diets are very accommodating to budget living and eating. Many of the foods considered to be staples in a typical, healthy vegan diet are very affordable. For example, grains, beans, seeds, and legumes are all good examples of cheap vegan foods.

Buy in season

Produce is generally cheaper when it is in season. In-season produce is also likely to be more nutritious and taste better. For example, if you are in the UK, you might find that buying strawberries in the summer is much cheaper than buying them in the winter.

Compare prices

When shopping, compare prices between brands and different sizes of products. Often, the "cheaper" option can turn out to be more expensive by weight.

Buy frozen

Frozen produce is often cheaper than fresh produce and has a longer shelf life.

Buy in bulk

Purchasing some items from the bulk sections can be a great way to save money, especially if you only need a small amount.

Shop around

Compare prices between different grocery stores. Build your shopping list based on what is on sale at each store.

Make your own

Prepackaged foods are often more expensive than preparing your own food from scratch. By cooking your own meals, you can easily save a lot of money.

Limit vegan substitutes

Vegan meat and cheese substitutes are often the most expensive components of a vegan diet. Watch for sales or close-dated items that are discounted, and pick up these items then.

Make a list and stick to it

Write a shopping list and only buy what’s on your list to avoid overspending.

Don’t shop when hungry

It is much easier to resist non-essential food purchases when you’re not already hungry.

Frequently asked questions