I would be lying if I told you that implementing more plant-based meals into my lifestyle has been easy. It’s taken quite a bit of research and practice for me. One of the challenges that I faced, in the beginning, was how expensive plant-based alternatives could be. I definitely miss the good old days when the vegetarian option on the menu was much cheaper than the traditional options. Those days are long gone, but that doesn’t mean that plant-based meals can’t be budget-friendly. If done mindfully, your new grocery list should actually be much more cost-effective than your old one. Here are some easy tips to eat plant-based on a budget.
Choose Whole Foods
A huge part of the reason plant-based eating gets a bad rep in the money department is due to the price of mock meats and cheese alternatives. Now don’t get me wrong, these products are great for meat and cheese cravings while transitioning, but they’re really meant to be a once in a while treat. Just like you wouldn’t eat a burger or grilled cheese every day, the same applies to these foods. Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, and grains are actually quite inexpensive. Preparing meals with whole foods instead of premade, processed or packaged goods are not only good for your wallet but are more likely to provide a better nutritional balance as well.
Buy in Bulk
No surprises here, I’m sure. Buying in bulk has always been a great way to save money on dry goods like beans, lentils, nuts, dried fruits, and a range of other foods. In my household, we use a lot of beans and steel-cut oats, so buying these items in bulk saves us money and multiple trips to the grocery store.
Plan Ahead
Even before going predominantly plant-based, meal planning helped minimize my grocery bill a great deal. Planning at least two weeks' worth of meals and grocery lists is a great way to determine what foods work best for your budget. This also helps prevent impulse purchases that can add up and throw off your savings goal. I like to use a meal planning and grocery list template. There are quite a few free ones online to choose from.
Shop Around
Just like with traditional shopping, it helps to shop around for the best prices on items that you frequently buy. Most of us already have a few stores that we shop at for a variety of things, but a great way to compare prices without driving from store to store is with weekly mailers. There’s almost always a section highlighting deals on fresh produce and specialty items.
Minimize Eating Out
There’s food at home. At least if you’ve utilized the first four tips, that is. When transitioning to a predominantly plant-based lifestyle, part of the fun is trying new things and being able to enjoy plant-based versions of your favorite comfort foods. With so many new vegan restaurants opening and traditional restaurants adding vegan-friendly items to their menus, it can be hard to resist the appeal of simply eating out. But like I mentioned earlier, gone are the days of the cheap vegetarian option.
Unfortunately, plant-based eating is still considered a trend, and trendy things tend to come at a premium. I plan one or two days a month for eating out, but the rest of the time, I find it fun to try and make my favorite foods at home. There are so many great plant-based recipes out there, including some that you’ll find here on Quirky Pineapples.
The Reality
I would never want to minimize the fact that having access to a more plant-based lifestyle comes with some level of privilege. My grocery budget is quite low because there are only two of us in our quirky household. Hopefully, these tips can help you along your plant-based journey no matter what your financial situation may be.
