I know of someone who was trying to make the shift to a vegetarian weight gain diet and complaining about how much eating veggie was costing him. It’s a common enough worry, and it some ways it makes sense; after all, you may have had lots of practice finding cheap cuts of meat, but that knowledge hardly applies to tofu! In addition, a lot of new vegetarians turn to convenience foods for the comfort and familiarity they provide.
That may be okay for a while, or all the time if you don’t mind the cost, but in the real world a lot of us need to watch our dollars. Yet organic produce and fancy vegetables often seem to cost more, and those vegetarian or “natural” convenience foods can send even the most indulgent of shoppers into sticker shock. Isn’t there a way to eat veggie without making your bank account dwindle incredibly fast?
Yup, there is. You just need to invest a little time and learn a few tricks. I’ll let you in a little secret: eating veggie can actually save you money. Once you devote some thought and energy to learning how to shop vegetarian-friendly and wallet-wise, you’ll be surprised how easily it becomes a routine.
Here are some suggestions in order to eat well, help the earth, and save your pennies!
1. Buy your produce in season. Not only will you reduce the chances that you’re paying to have your pepper flown halfway around the world (a waste of energy), you’re also going to get fresher, more delicious food. At a loss about what’s in season when? Pay attention to what other people are buying lots of, and to what’s on special and cheapest per pound. Or, if you’ve got a good grocery store, ask your produce person! They know the scoop.
2. Buy in bulk. I can’t say this one enough! You reduce waste, you get a volume discount, and the prices per ounce are usually quite a bit less than you’d pay for the identical food in a package.
3. Try your local farmer’s market. It isn’t always cheaper, but you’ll be supporting local agriculture and getting better food into the bargain. Some farmers are willing to bargain on price, especially when the market is winding down; just screw up your courage and ask.
4. Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. If you’re willing to make a small commitment, you maybe be able to save money and help out local agriculture by joining a CSA program. How does this work? At the start of a growing season, you enter into a contract with a local farmer. He or she delivers (or you pick up) a big bag of fresh produce to you every week. To find out more, ask at your local farmer’s market.
5. Join a buying club or food co-op if there is one in your area. The way this works is that a bunch of people get together and order from a bulk natural foods supplier at a (usually pretty big) discount. You’ll have to get things in large amounts, but if your household is a small one, you may be able to split orders with other members. Check with your health food store, put up a flyer asking if anyone knows of one, or ask around.
6. Cook enough dinner to have leftovers the next day for lunch. The more appealing leftovers you have tucked away for you in the fridge, the less likely you’ll be to find yourself waiting in line somewhere you shouldn’t be at lunchtime. And no wasteful packaging!
7. Grow your own herbs. You can make just about anything taste good with fresh herbs, and a whole plant will cost you less than one sprig at the grocery store. Most are easy to grow – I recommend basil, thyme, mint, and oregano.
8. Try to avoid relying on packaged, frozen, instant, and convenience food. You knew this already, right? It’s worth another reminder.
9. Find a store that sells loose spices and buy those instead of the ones in jars. If you’ve never done this, you’ll be absolutely at the price difference. What you pay a few pennies for loose can cost several dollars in a cute little bottle.
10. Compare price per ounce. Price per ounce should be marked on a sticker on the shelf where the food is kept. This is what keeps you from accidentally buying a small bottle of something that “seems” cheaper when the larger size is really a better deal. If you don’t see it clearly marked, complain! In some states it’s illegal not to display this.
11. Eat cheap snack foods, like peanut butter toast, toast and jam, popcorn (not the microwave kind!), flour tortillas, bulk raisins, bulk raw peanuts (to roast: spread on cookie sheet and bake at 350 till golden), baked marinated tofu. Non-vegans can eat hard-boiled eggs and large containers of plain yogurt (mix with fruit and/or cinnamon and brown sugar).
12. Discover what your luxuries should be. Figure out what pricey items you really appreciate, and prioritize those few things. I spend a lot on coffee; I’m a java-hound, and it also happens to be an especially important thing to buy organic. To make up for this, I really keep an eye on the prices in different stores. Buy a good Parmesan cheese and olive oil, because they definitely make a difference.
13. Learn how to cook. Okay, this is a sneaky one, but it’s probably the most important! It really helps to know some basic techniques – and most importantly, to be willing to try. Get a couple of basic veggie cookbooks; there are tons of them out there. Ask your friends, or your mom, if necessary. Experiment gently. The truth is, it really doesn’t take as long as you think, and the rewards are great.
Good luck saving, and good eating!
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’m a vegan and a gym freak! ;o) also, in case anybody else finds it helpful I really liked this web page buy a nutrition charity called ‘VVF’ here in the UK http://www.vegetarian.org.uk/guides/foodofchamps.html
It shows how to make sure you get everything you need on a vege diet. Looks like their nutritionist is running a marathon again this year too (on the homepage)!! :o) so it must be alright ;o) har har
The only thing I would say about this blog that here in the UK at any rate, a plant based diet is loads cheaper then a meat based diet – meat and cheese is very expensive combared to baked beans etc! :o) and you know you will be loads healthier.
I agree with point 12 – my 1 luxury really is organic fairtrade sumatran coffee. yum!
good luck guys, I know it’s tough to adjust at first, bit like giving up smoking (I speak from experience), but it really will pay dividends in terms of your health and your bank balance!
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