Budgeting Meal Tips For New Vegans

600% more Americans identify as a vegan today compared to three years ago, according to GlobalData. With 2% of the population turning vegan every year, the plant-based food industry has seen vegan food sales increase by 8.1%, reports Forbes. However, with staple products such as soy milk costing as much as $1.80 per half a gallon more than cow’s milk, many new vegans can be put off by the cost. This is especially the case when you’re funding your travels, too. But, the good news is that these simple budgeting trips will enable you to enjoy great vegan food for less. 

Plan your meals 

Imagine being able to save so much cash by going vegan that you could afford an all-expenses-paid trip to Greece? Andrée Pagès and her family did just that and with a few simple changes to their diet, they cut between $1310 and $1470 off their grocery bill in six months, and saved a total of $2,800 overall. The key to saving such a chunk of cash is to plan your meals before you head to the store. By doing this you’ll know exactly what ingredients you require and won’t be tempted to splurge on costly vegan convenience food. 

Opt for vegan staples

With the surge in veganism in recent years, the number of packaged food items labeled as ‘vegan’ has also increased. You’ll now find an ample supply of vegan sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and pies on the supermarket shelves. But, it’s important to remember that some of the cheapest, healthiest, and most convenient vegan foods to purchase, no matter where in the world you are, are pasta, grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes.

Change the way you pay

Americans spend 6% of their household income on groceries every year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For Millennials over 25, that’s almost $4,000 per year. So, it makes sense to pay for your food purchases using a method that benefits you financially. Some credit cards will reward you with points or cashback every time you buy food using it. And, there’s no better feeling than being able to score a discount off your travels by using these rewards.

Fall in love with home cooking

There are some really vegan-friendly cities in the world, including Berlin, Budapest, and Prague. And, while it may be tempting to splurge on meals out while you’re visiting these locations, this isn’t the most cost-effective way to start life as a vegan. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts even states that vegan food preparation can add between 10 and 20% onto a restaurant’s overhead costs, and, ultimately, it’s customers which foot this expense. So, you’re best off cooking fresh meals for yourself using raw ingredients. You’ll find plenty of vegan recipe inspiration on the net and in cookbooks. What’s more, when you cook for yourself you can be sure there’s no cross-contamination.

As a first-time vegan, there’s no need to worry about your food bill rising if you follow these tips and shop smart. Preparation and planning is the key to eating a vegan diet on a budget. And, you’ll feel healthier and happier for it, too.