Too broke for a plant-based lifestyle?
One of the most common reasons for not eating more plant based we hear - is “it’s too expensive, I can’t afford it”.
Do you have this belief? Then keep reading as we explore how you can actually SAVE money by eating more plant based (just think how expensive buying good piece of meat or fish is). With me? Let’s dive in.
Affordability on a plant-based diet is possible to achieve, especially when some planning is involved. Store bought canned soups to fix a quick dinner? Sure! Just boost it with 1-2 nutritious toppings like hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds Or, a classic, peanut butter sandwich as a cheap plant-based snack? You can do that too!
Here are our top tested tips to get you started with your transition to the world of veggies and tasty vegan meals, without causing a deep hole in your pocket:
1. Prep Ahead
Making certain dishes ahead, for example, chili, soup, curries, and rice helps with sticking to the plan, saving time, and making meals less complicated. A lot of meal-prep goods can be frozen and reheated for a considerable time.
You can go for chopped raw veggies for an on-the-go snack. For example, carrots and hummus. Or start your morning with a quick vegan banana smoothie.
2. Plan Ahead
If you want eating plant-based to be affordable, stick to a budget, then planning your meals for the week is the key. Use the planning feature on Your Beet app to select your meals for the week, using the personalized recipe recommendations. The algorithm will help you toutilize all ingredients you own and also avoid food waste.
3. Buy in bulk when you can
Buying in bulk is not always possible, depending on your accessibility and your ability to spend a little more in one go, but buying in bulk is a very good option to save money. For items like beans that have a long shelf life, go to the area of the store that has them in large bins. Try buying large quantities of your ingredients that have a long shelf-life, for a lower price.
Affordable plant-based ingredients for your next budget-friendly grocery trip:
Beans
Peas
Pulses
Potatoes
Carrots
Sweet potato
Corn
Onions
Pepper
Garlic
Bananas
Oranges
Tomatoes
Peanut butter
Oatmeal
Whole wheat pasta
Cheap whole grains to consider adding to your diet:
Whole oats
Brown rice
Quinoa
Barley
Buckwheat
Corn
You can also opt to use frozen fruit in your smoothie and milkshake recipes. Consider what’s plant-based, yet affordable, and then plan your meals around those ingredients.
4. Prepare easy recipes
You don’t have to cook gourmet food every night, nor would most of us have the time to. Throw some rice, beans, chickpea, steamed vegetables and plant-based sauce together for a delicious dinner bowl. The protein (chickpea) can be swapped with tofu, tempeh etc, but the sides can stay the same. Try figuring out what vegan combination works for you!
5. Give Small, Local Grocery Stores A Chance
Take advantage of your local Asian Market's affordable packs of tofu and tempeh.
Just because you’re either eliminating or reducing your animal-product consumption, it doesn’t mean you should miss out on protein. There is plenty of high-protein, plant-based food to add to your regular diet.
Load up on legumes, they’re packin’ on protein. High plant protein recipe ideas include *add Your Beet recipes* “Marinated Tempeh Skewer with peanut sauce, stir fried vegetables and rice” by Micheline star chef Tom or @noxcuses, who’s also into crossfit and training.
Stews and soups are extremely beneficial for your health and are rich in plant-based protein. Go for a mix of beans, pulses, and tempeh to bulk up your one-pot meals. Snack on nuts and seeds for a fast and easy way to increase your plant-based protein intake.
The bottom line is: Plant-based and vegan diets can be a lot more satisfying and sufficient by following these steps, without compromising on your nutritional intake and without causing a dent in your bank account.
Filter for budget friendly recipes in our app!
