From animal and environmental factors to personal health considerations, studies have shown that more and more of us today are interested in adopting a vegan diet. Veganism has been proven to be the single biggest way to reduce our impact on the environment, and its health benefits really are endless.
Many adults find themselves discouraged from adopting a vegan due to their belief that it can be costly. A vegan diet and lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive. Discover below the ways in which you can adopt veganism for less.
1. Vegan protein is not expensive
Vegan protein doesn’t have to come from costly meat substitutes. In fact, many vegans choose to get their protein from plant-based sources such as chickpeas, beans, lentils and even spinach – all of which are super cheap to buy in the supermarkets.
Not only are these foods healthier and cheaper than meat substitutes, but they can even contain more protein, and definitely less cholesterol, than meat (not substitutes) itself. In fact, a tin of chickpeas can contain around 18 grams of protein and often costs less than 40 pence/51 cents.
2. More competition means competitive pricing
With veganism on the rise, and vegan options becoming readily available, brands are becoming more competitive with their pricing of meat substitutes – so you don’t have to worry too much about the cost of a meat-free burger! Many supermarkets now have their own-branded meat substitutes that are most definitely affordable.
The story is similar for many specialist vegan products. Take plant-based milks, for example. They have been around for a while, and many supermarkets are now producing their own plant milks to compete with the bigger plant-based brands.
From almond and oat, to soya and coconut milk, plant-based milks are accessible in almost every supermarket. You’ll even find most coffee shops provide soya milk, and sometimes almond, as a free alternative to cow’s milk.
3. Shop around or buy in bulk
Whether you are vegan or not, shopping around could save you a lot of money every week. Keep your eyes open for the best deals when buying vegan produce, and even take a look at the reduced aisle.
Shopping at two different supermarkets, instead of your usual one, could help your vegan diet become much more affordable. Buying in bulk from online supermarkets could also help you to save money in the long run.
4. Pay a visit to the world foods aisle
Have you ever noticed the world foods aisle in your local supermarket? This aisle is often filled with specialist products, catered towards natives from other countries. You’ll find a huge selection of Chinese and Indian food products – many of which are vegan.
The world food aisle is great for buying cupboard produce, such as tinned peas, beans, spices and nuts. More often than not, products on this aisle are cheaper than the other aisles in the supermarket.
5. What about specialist Asian supermarkets?
Tofu is a popular delicacy in many parts of Asia and is a staple in many vegan diets. Similarly to the world foods aisle, you’ll often find the likes of tofu are much cheaper if you head to your local Asian supermarket. This is a great money-saver for anyone that lives in a big city.
6. Restaurants now have more options for less
Similarly to supermarkets, more and more restaurants are now opening their eyes to veganism and launching plant-based menus for vegan customers. Again, with this increasing demand, even more restaurants are offering affordable vegan options to compete. You might even find vegan options at your favourite restaurant are cheaper than the meat-based dishes.
Are you ready to give veganism a go?
Now that you know veganism doesn’t have to be expensive, what are you waiting for? It’s worth noting that, when adopting a vegan diet, it’s important to consider that you are getting the right nutrients from your food. Thankfully, vegan supplements are now much more accessible and affordable.
The most common sources of Vitamin D are from non-vegan sources, such as oily fish and egg yolk, but you can provide your body with a sufficient amount of vitamin D thanks to Vitabiotics Wellwoman vegan supplements. Specifically designed for those adopting a vegan or veggie diet, they offer complete nutritional support at an affordable price.