Is it possible to be vegan on a budget? Yes! You can possibly save money by eating a vegan diet instead of the standard American diet. Of course, eating vegan can look a lot of different ways. So is it possible to eat healthy as a vegan on a budget? Again, Yes!
In this post you will find the answers to these questions and other tips on how to make the vegan lifestyle more sustainable and affordable. Even if you do not want to be fully vegan, there are ways to incorporate more plant based meals into your life without breaking the bank!
When I first went vegan I was on a pretty tight budget since I was still in school and working. Most of these tips I came up with are based off of that time period so they have been tested and I can assure you that with a bit of preparation and consistency you will be able to easily be vegan on a budget too!
This post is all about how to go vegan on a budget.
Is it cheaper to eat a plant based diet?
The answer to this popular question is that it depends. Every person has different dietary needs, requires a different amount of food based on activity level and size, has access to different types of places to purchase food etc. There are countless variables that go into if someone can spend less on food.
For example, someone that is able to grow a majority of their food and eat a vegan diet will spend significantly less than someone that works in a city and only has time to buy take out meals.
Overall, I still think it is more affordable to eat a plant based diet. Meat and dairy tend to be pretty expensive and there is a much larger variety of foods available when you are choosing a plant based diet.
How to go vegan?
Maybe you are completely new to veganism or you have been doing it for a while but your budget has shifted. Before we get into how to be vegan affordably I wanted to offer some quick tips on how to transition in the first place.
- You don’t have to be fully vegan (more info on this below)
- Transition slowly. Don’t feel the pressure to go vegan overnight.
- Make sure you are eating enough food and that it is nutritious (The goal is feeling balanced, satiated, and happy)
- Do your research! Don’t just stop with this article. Learn what you can about nutrition, animal rights, climate change etc.
Is it possible to be vegan on a budget?
1. Avoid processed foods when possible
Plant based meats and desserts are really fun but since they are still new to the market they tend to be a bit more pricey.
Try to prioritize buying whole foods to save money.
Things like beans, rice, potatoes, bananas and peanut butter can be really affordable and filling!
2. Make simple meals
I can not stress this enough-your meals do not have to be Pinterest worthy to be a good vegan meal!
A typical meal I made in college when I had less money and time was black beans, rice, broccoli, and avocado. Easy to make, relatively affordable and tasted pretty good when it was all mixed up.
I think sometimes people forget but meals like pasta, sandwiches, and cereal can all easily be made vegan. There is no need to overcomplicate recipes and add extra ingredients (which will up the cost!)
{RELATED POST: Sweet Easy Plant Based Popsicles}
3. Meal prep for the week or specific ingredients that can be used in multiple meals
Meal prepping can be a bit controversial, so if it is not your thing-no shame! If you are fine with eating leftovers then I highly recommend meal prepping even a few meals at the start of the week.
You don’t have to have perfect full course meals prepped either. Even just cutting up fruit and vegetables or cooking up some pasta and having it all ready to go for the week will cut down time and keep you from ordering take out last minute.
4. Make a shopping list and stick to it
So what should a vegan buy on a budget? I religiously make a shopping list every Sunday morning and have been since going plant based and I really feel like it is a big part of how I have stayed plant based for so long.
Having fresh vegan food in your home, ready to go, is the best way to keep yourself on track.
To keep things simple, I think it is best to have a shopping list that stays pretty consistent week to week and then you can add to it based off of the recipes for the week.
For example, every time I go to the store I know that I will be picking up spinach, bananas and oat milk. Those are foods I love and use in different recipes throughout the week.
Another tip is to order groceries online ahead of time, that way you’re not tempted to pick up random things in the grocery store that you may not need.
{RELATED POST: Top 10 Affordable Vegan Staples}
5. Cook food that you actually enjoy
This might seem like a silly tip but I feel like there are a lot of images of what being vegan should look like that sometimes are not super enjoyable. I am all for aiming for a whole foods plant based diet but sometimes I simply want a vegan pizza. And that’s ok.
Try to find a few recipes that you really love and will look forward to having throughout the week. It is tough to start a new habit that you are dreading. Once you have transitioned more to being vegan you can add in the kale salads and green juices (;
When you prepare food you love, less goes to waste which means you will save more money!
6. Choose seasonal produce
Foods that are grown locally and are in season tend to be much cheaper than food that has to be shipped from far away. And it is better for the environment too!
The less mileage food has to travel the fewer emissions are put out. If you have access to a farmer’s market or co opt you can also find great deals on fresh produce there too!
7. Bonus tip
Being vegan actually involves more than just the foods that we eat!
If you are passionate about animal rights, environmentalism and health but you aren’t able to go fully vegan, there are still ways to support the mission in other ways! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Choose skincare products, cleaning products, hair care products etc. that do not test on animals
- Volunteer at an animal sanctuary or community health center
- Introduce your friends and family to vegan recipes you find
- Avoid buying leather and fur
Plant based on a budget recipes
I wanted to offer a few quick recipe ideas that are low cost to make in case you are reading this post while meal prepping and need a few more ideas to add to your weekly spread!
- Bean burritos
- Air fried potatoes dipped in guacamole or hummus
- Smoothies
- Bean chili
- Veggie wrap
- Veggie pasta dishes
Do you find it difficult to be vegan on a budget? I would love to hear about your experiences or ideas in the comments below and hopefully it helps other readers as they are navigating eating vegan on a budget too!
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best tips for being vegan on a budget.
Other posts you may like:
- 5 Simple Ways You Can Save Money and Reduce Plastic on Your Low Waste Lifestyle Journey
- Your Ultimate Guide to Budget Friendly Juicing for Beginners
- Surprisingly Easy Vegan Meal Prep Ideas That Will Be a Sustainable Part Of Your Weekly Routine
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