There’s a very common misunderstanding of healthy, plant-based food being exceptionally expensive. This might stem from the idea that we have to buy expensive supplements, powders, superfoods, or vegan meat and dairy substitutes to sustain this lifestyle.
These things can be nice to have but aren’t necessary to thrive and be healthy. If you strip it down to the basics, you will find that the whole food plant-based lifestyle can be cheap and affordable for anyone.
With a little bit of knowledge, a healthy diet bursting with taste and nutrients will fit your budget even if you have to count every penny.
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In this article
1. Prepare your own meals
Restaurant or diner meals are much more expensive compared to self-made ones since you’re paying for the service. Eating out should only be a very occasional treat or avoided altogether if you’re on a budget.
In times of being on the move, try to prepare meals or snacks in advance and take them with you in a lunch box. This way you also have full control over what goes into your meals and aren’t dependent on restaurant foods that might have some shady ingredients in them.
When you prepare your own meals, consider cooking large batches and freeze the leftovers in meal-sized containers.
2. Embrace whole foods
Whole, plant foods are loaded with all the essential nutrients your body needs and should be the base of your diet. The great thing about these unprocessed and pure foods is that they are also the cheapest ones out there, especially the starchy foods.
So make sure, you base your recipes around these low-priced yet super healthy and nutrient-dense goodies.
Some budget-friendly foods include:
Starches
Brown rice, potatoes, pumpkin, millet, oats, whole-grain pasta
Vegetables
Carrots, broccoli, cabbage, beets, all sorts of leafy greens such as kale or spinach, frozen vegetables
Fruits
Apples, bananas, pears, plums, oranges, other fruit depending on the season
Legumes
Almost all beans and lentils (you can save extra if you buy them dry and soak/cook them yourself instead of going for the pre-cooked versions – that way you get much bigger amounts for your money and also cut out the sodium that’s usually found in canned legumes)
Nuts
Peanuts, other nuts such as almonds or walnuts when bought in bulk
3. Buy in bulk
Big packages or family packs usually provide much better value for the cost than small containers or bags. Look out for the unit price which tells you the exact cost per pound, liter, etc. This makes it easy to compare products and choose the cheapest option.
Look for the bulk section of your grocery store or maybe there’s even an entire bulk food store nearby? These places let you load up on items such as oats, rice, pasta, nuts, or seeds for a very good price since you’re not buying for packaging or a brand name.
4. Prepare simple recipes
Simple doesn’t have to mean boring. Make starches your base and experiment with simple but flavorful ingredients and spices. Not stuffing your recipes with too many ingredients will make things easier on your digestion, too. Think of baked potatoes with homemade ketchup, roasted pumpkin with guacamole, or banana ice cream. Sounds delicious, right?
5. Freeze your leftovers
If you recognize that you bought too many fruits or vegetables and they’re about to turn bad, go ahead and freeze them. Ripe or even overripe fruit can still be frozen and turned into a delicious smoothie later on. Frozen vegetables can make a tasty stew or soup.
Whenever you find an exceptionally good deal on fresh produce, you can stock up and freeze them as well.
6. Do it yourself
Some foods can easily be made by yourself. It surely requires a bit of time and effort, but the savings can be huge compared to the canned or packaged versions. Dry legumes, for instance, can be up to 5 times cheaper than canned.
Other items that could be prepared by yourself include plant milk, sauces, or spreads. Here are a few recipes to inspire you:
7. Buy seasonal food
Foods that are grown in season not only taste better but also are a lot cheaper. That may be root vegetables and citrus fruits in winter, squash, and figs in fall, or watermelon and nectarines in summer.
Visit your local farmers market to be inspired by the variety of flavorful, in-season produce.
8. Buy from the farmers’ market
Farmers’ markets offer you a great variety of local, seasonal, and nutritious produce. Buying directly from the grower not only supports your local community but is also cheaper in some cases.
Sometimes the sellers have tables with reduced fruits and vegetables that have a few blemishes and there’s almost always the option to get a discount if you decide to buy in bulk.
Going to the farmers market shortly before they close is also a good way to make some bargains because the sellers want to get rid of their products quickly at this point.
9. Do your research
If there is more than one grocery store available near you, have a look at the different offers and discounts. You can find information about current offers and coupons in the newspaper or online.
Doing a little bit of research helps you to find the best deals across different stores and supermarkets. It can also inspire you to adapt your meal plans to the foods that are currently on sale and, therefore, give you some added variety.
Keep in mind that this makes sense only if the venues aren’t spread out too much. Getting a discount on products is pointless if you’re wasting the same amount of money or more on fuel. In that case, sticking to just one store is the better option.
Suggested read: How to meal prep for beginners: A step-by-step guide
10. Buy smart
Store brands
Opt for store brands whenever possible. They often offer the same quality at a much lower price as you save on advertising and packaging.
Look down
Look at the bottom shelves for lower-priced items. The priciest ones are usually located at eye level.
Store membership
If your grocery store has a loyalty program, make sure to sign up for even more savings.
Buy the right quantities
Be careful with fresh fruits and vegetables that don’t last very long. You don’t want your food to spoil, so buy only the amounts you know you’re going to eat.
Look out for coupons
Check your newspaper as well as your email inbox (given you signed up for a store membership) for coupons, sales, or specials to make some extra savings on foods that are on your shopping list. You can also have a look online to get some printable coupons.
Stock up
When one of your staple foods (one that can’t turn bad quickly) is on sale, make sure to buy in bulk and stock up on it. This can be anything with a far away expiration date such as plant milk, nut butter, canned or frozen vegetables, pasta, beans, etc.
Eat before you go shopping
Go grocery shopping after you’ve eaten. You always want to be full and satiated when buying your food. By eating right before you go shopping, you are far less prone to make any emotional decisions.
11. Buy frozen food
Frozen fruits and vegetables are extremely convenient and often cheaper than their fresh correspondent. Frozen foods are picked ripe and then flash-frozen right away to maintain a great nutritional profile.
Especially in the wintertime, when the variety and quality of fresh produce aren’t optimal, buying frozen could be your best choice. Read the ingredients label though and watch out that there’s no added seasoning, sauce, or butter.
12. Drink water
Plain water nourishes you best and is all your body needs in terms of drinks. Drink tap water if it’s of decent quality or use a cheap but effective water filter to enhance the quality. Otherwise, store-bought still water, especially in big canisters, is still pretty cheap and a good option.
Suggested read: Vegan grocery list for beginners
Infuse your water with lemon or other fruit juices if you like to indulge in different kinds of flavors. Tea is also a very healthy and affordable alternative. Just make sure you stay away from sodas or other sugary drinks that won’t do your wallet and health any good.
13. Grow your own food
This is, of course, the biggest money saver out there, but it can also be a very challenging project. Start with a few pots of greens and work your way up from there.
While it surely is an ambitious project to start, growing your own food can be highly satisfying and joyful. You will have full control over the end product from soil composition to fertilization and will be able to eat it right after harvesting. It doesn’t get any fresher than that.
14. Make a plan
Plan your meals and snacks and make a shopping list accordingly. This will prevent you from impulsive buying.
Be realistic about the portion sizes and try to include foods that you already have at home in your meal plan. Use our templates below for a weekly plan and shopping list.
Summary
There are a lot of ways to cut down costs if you’re on a very tight budget, but no matter what, make sure to not deprive yourself and sacrifice your health.
Fortunately, healthy foods can be extremely cheap. Building your diet upon a base of starchy foods will give you an excellent foundation of nutritious calories for little money. Leafy greens also offer a very high density of vitamins and minerals and should be a staple of your diet.
Be creative with new but simple recipes and mix things up to get all the nutrients you need. It doesn’t take expensive ingredients to achieve well-being and mouthwatering flavors.
