Thrifty Greens: A Guide to Plant Based Diet on a Budget

An increasing number of people around the world are opting for plant based diets. From 2014 to 2018, the percentage of Americans consuming veganism surged 600%. Some countries have seen similar trends: from 2011 to 2016, the vegetarian population in Italy increased by 94%, while in the past decade, the number of vegetarians in Portugal increased by 400%.

Do you feel that you won’t have enough money to cover your plant based diet? No, that is completely incorrect! Going plant based can cut your weekly food bill by as much as $23, according to recent research. Take a few moments to absorb this.

This fear that being plant based will be too costly? Let’s dispel that myth.

To allay fears about the astronomical price tag of plant based diets, this blog offers helpful hints, inexpensive meal plans, and recipes.

What other ways might a plant based Diet help you Save Money?

One way you can save money is on the foods you use for a plant based diet. Indirect benefits like using less fuel and being healthier can help you reach your budget-friendly plant based goal.

Less time Spent Cooking

One aspect of our spending habits that often goes unnoticed is the food we eat. Meals made with plants cook considerably faster than those made with meat, according to the Veganuary study. Your cooking gas expenditures can be drastically reduced by preparing plant based meals, according to this.

Lessen the Cost of Healthcare

Following a plant based diet has tremendous positive effects on health. If you already have a health concern, switching to a plant based diet can help you feel better even faster.

Additionally, a whole-food, plant based diet also has the power to reverse disease. You are consequently less likely to require prescription medication or medical attention.

3 Ways to Spend Less on a Plant Based Diet

As we already said, the secret to sticking to a plant based diet budget is what we eat. You won’t have to spend a lot of money to follow a plant based diet.

If you are a vegan and are trying to save money, here are some ways you can still eat well without going broke.

1. Shopping smart

You can simply save a lot of money by taking a planned approach to grocery shopping.

When you go grocery shopping, think about the following things to make the best choices possible:

Make a shopping list and make sure you stick to it. You won’t waste money on things you don’t need if you follow this plan.
Pick things that aren’t too pricey. Avoid spending a lot of money on unusual and rare fruits and veggies. Instead, choose regular ones.
Select seasonal vegetables, as those are typically less expensive.
If you want beans and whole grains to last a long time, buy them in bulk.
Shop at farmer’s markets and other nearby markets. You get fresh fruit and vegetables at a reduced price.
Wherever you go grocery shopping, go for generic brands rather than famous brands.
Don’t bother with the plant based meat alternatives. These things tend to cost the most.
Choose options that cost less. Beans can be used instead of vegan meat alternatives like Beyond Burger to get more protein.
Organic products are typically more expensive than non-organic ones. Therefore, you should probably avoid them.

2. Grocery Planning

Grocery planning is the most important money-saving step you can do before you ever think about going shopping or making a list.

Planning your meals is the most basic kind of food shopping. Eating a plant based diet while saving money is a necessary step. Making a shopping list for the week or month ahead of time helps you see exactly what you’ll need.

Additionally, you should search your pantry for items that you always have on hand. You don’t need these things, so they shouldn’t be on your shopping list.

Another way to hone your shopping list is to set aside a certain amount of money for various foods. You can avoid overthinking the selection of necessities with the help of such a plan. We advise allocating funds to:

Various fruits and vegetables at least 50% off
Save around 20% on staples like potatoes, lentils, beans, and whole grains
Save up to 20% on supplementary products, including nuts, seeds, spices, and more.
The remaining 10%–15% off tofu and other vegan milk substitutes
You may save money and reduce food waste by making a well-thought-out shopping list.

3. Using leftovers wisely

If you’re trying to eat plant based but are on a budget, leftover food is a major deterrent. Money goes down the drain when you toss edible food in the trash.

Ideally, you won’t end up with any leftovers, whether they’re raw or cooked. However, this isn’t necessarily an option. If you would rather not see your money go to waste, be careful with any surplus food you may have.

If you have any cooked leftovers, you can either store them in the fridge for later or use them to make something else. Salad is a great place to use up leftover pasta, for instance. You can make vegetable soup by boiling some raw vegetables in water that are about to go bad. Its usable life and storage capacity are greatly increased.

Budget-Friendly Plant Based Recipes

Well, it is obvious now that plant based foods can help you save some money. Want to know about some delicious, and inexpensive meals that are plant based? We got you. Given below are some super easy, yet tasty options to try!

Pasta Primavera:

Make a quick and easy lunch by putting fresh veggies and homemade tomato sauce on top of pasta.

Lentil Soup:

Soup like this is hearty and full of protein, and it’s made with cheap ingredients like beans, carrots, and onions.

Chickpea Curry:

You can make a filling and tasty curry with chickpeas, coconut milk, and spices. For a filling lunch, put it on top of quinoa or rice.

Conclusion

A diet based on plants doesn’t have to be expensive. You can save money and eat well at the same time. Interesting, right? People don’t know about plant based diets, which is the main reason they seem pricey. But you know what, studies have shown that plant-based meals are usually cheaper than meat-based meals.

Moreover, with some careful budgeting, eating a plant based diet can save you money. Not only that, to save your hard-earned cash, you should also work on improving your cooking habits and developing more self-control.

Although there may be some initial sacrifices involved in adopting a whole food plant based diet, it most definitely won’t cost you much! Not only may you save money by switching to a plant based diet, but you’ll also be building wealth—your health.

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