Adopting a vegan diet and cutting out the expensive animal products can be a great way to stretch any food budget! Enjoy these tips for following a healthy vegan diet on a budget.
1. Make Food at Home
Relying on pre-packaged foods and eating at expensive restaurants is a sure fast way to break the bank. If you’re new to cooking, don’t fret–there are tons of resources out there to help you get started! Find discounted cookbooks online or check websites like ChooseVeg.com for delicious meal ideas. Or simply run a Google search to veganize just about any recipe you can think of. Now’s your chance to get your creative juices flowing. Having the right tools in the kitchen can also save you money, as having the ability to make a variety of lip-smacking vegan dishes at home curbs the temptation to eat out. We recommend investing in kitchen basics like an iron skillet, a stock pot, slow cooker, food processor, and a blender, which are all affordable and easy to use.
2. Keep It Simple
Beans, grains, and produce are low-cost and should be the base of any healthy vegan diet. Even canned beans are affordable and require zero preparation. Full of protein and fiber, beans should be used often. Rice, pasta, and other grains like millet and quinoa are very easy to prepare and have a variety of uses. Local farmers’ markets are wonderful for providing inexpensive local fruits and veggies, which in turn supports your local economy.
3. Cook in Large Batches
We live in a fast-paced world and are always on the go, right? We get it. If finding time to cook each day is challenging, schedule one or two kitchen days each week and cook in large batches. You can easily take leftovers for lunch or reheat them for an easy and quick dinner.
4. Go International
There’s a plethora of international vegan cuisine that’s not only tasty, but really easy and inexpensive to prepare. Try your hand at Mexican classics like bean enchiladas or chinese favorite kung pao tofu. The possibilities are endless!
5. Plan a Potluck
If you are watching your budget, chances are your friends are too. Planning a potluck where everyone brings a vegan dish is a great way to enjoy a yummy meal, while only investing the time and money for the one dish you prepared.
For more delicious vegan recipes and tips on cruelty-free eating, visit ChooseVeg.com.
