Do you worry that eating Whole Food Plant-Based will burn a hole in your pocket?
Do you struggle to keep your grocery expenses under budget?
We all have been there!
Unreasonable expenditure is often one of the biggest concerns of people switching to a plant-based diet. Even if you’re already eating plant-based, you may struggle to keep things under budget from time to time. But it doesn’t have to be so. You can save a lot of money with a Whole Food Plant-Based diet if you follow a few simple tips.
Before we explore the tips that can help you save money on the WFPB diet, let’s try to understand if eating plant-based is really expensive.
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Is eating Whole Food Plant-Based really expensive?
In general, if you compare the prices of the ingredients of a plant-based diet and an animal-based diet, you’ll find that the former is not at all more expensive, if not cheaper. A study by Veganuary found that eating plant-based at home costs 40% less than meals with meat, fish, or other animal products. Meat, dairy, and other animal-based products tend to be among the costliest items on your grocery list. So, giving up on these can save you a lot of money by default. However, other factors also play a role in plant-based expenses.
For example, packaged products like plant-based milk or plant-based meat tend to be more costly than plant-based essentials. Similarly, buying exotic produce from a supermarket may add to your costs.
So, how do you save money by eating healthy plant-based meals? Here are five tips that can help you save a lot!
1. Stick to the basics
The best way to keep your plant-based eating under budget is to stick to the basics. Common grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds that you’ll find at any store provide all the nutrients your body needs. Moreover, these tend to be cheaper as they are abundantly grown and involve lesser logistics costs. Furthermore, buying in-season produce can cost you even less.
Depending on your budget, you can always spend on other optional products, such as non-dairy milk, tofu, etc.
2. Plan your grocery
Planning in any area of your life can do wonders. It does nothing less when it comes to the Whole Food Plant-Based lifestyle. Planning your grocery can be a big money-saver as it helps you avoid buying unnecessary items that may not see the light of the day. Additionally, it can help you prevent a lot of food from going to waste (and, of course, your money!).
3. Shop at local farmers’ markets
A trip to your local farmers’ markets instead of a supermarket can be incredible for your wallet. You will generally find fresher and cheaper produce at a farmers’ market compared to a supermarket.
Moreover, you’d also be helping local businesses thrive!
4. Avoid fancy trends
A big reason people believe eating plant-based is expensive is the fancy things that get popular on social media. For example, going only for organic labels or particular brands that people approve of can prove to be expensive. Use your judgment to follow what suits you and your wallet.
5. Grow your food
One of the best ways to save on food is by growing them in your garden. Growing some low-maintenance and useful plants, like tomato, eggplant, or spinach, can significantly cut down your expenses. If you don’t have much gardening space, you can always go for the simplest options like herbs.
Saving money on Whole Food Plant-Based diet is not at all difficult. All it requires is a bit of planning and mindfulness to avoid unnecessary expenditures. Above all, the health benefits you get from eating plant-based is sure to save you more than you can think of. Happy saving!
Also read: Top 5 Eating Mistakes That You Should Avoid After Workout
