How I saved money by going vegan

4 min readMar 23, 2021

There’s a big misconception when it comes to the vegan and plant-based world. Many believe that switching to a vegan diet is an expensive privilege. To me, the reverse is true. In fact, going vegan has actually cut my shopping bill, reduced my reliance on supplements, and stopped me from having massages every week for muscle soreness.

The shopping bill

When my husband and I shifted to a plant-based diet our shopping bill immediately went down. Why? Because meat products are incredibly expensive.

If you don’t believe me, let’s take a look at a comparison. At my local grocery store, lamb chops will set you back $24.07 per kilogram, chicken breast $14.00 per kilogram, salmon $33.00 per kilogram, and beef mince $13.00 per kilogram. Tofu, on the other hand, weighs in at only $8.11 per kilogram and beans at, an incredibly low, $1.90 per kilogram.

Now, it’s no secret that vegan meat alternatives can be pricey. But for most vegans, meat alternatives are transition and treat foods. Given that many meat alternatives can be high in sodium, it’s no bad thing to see them as treats. Legumes, whole grains, and in-season fruits and vegetables are alternatively very cost-effective.

In fact, some of the least expensive foods in the world are rice, oats, and beans. They’re also staples in a plant-based dietary pattern. By buying whole-food plant-based items––some of the healthiest foods on the planet––then the chances of reducing one’s shopping bill are high.

Other ways to reduce the cost of ‘vegan’ foods:

Buy in season
Buy in bulk
Buy fruits and vegetables that are on special
Make use of frozen fruits and vegetables if necessary
Focus on whole foods like beans and whole grains
Choose lightly processed proteins like tofu and save Beyond Meat types for treats
Shop at farmers markets

Supplements

I haven’t just made savings at the grocery store however, I’ve also saved a lot at the local health food store.

My standard western diet––with plenty of meat and dairy products––led my body into a less-than-healthy…