While most people think that living a vegetarian lifestyle will cost significantly more, in reality, that line of thinking couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, even on a strict budget you’ll find that you can very easily live and eat the Vegetarian Lifestyle. After all, it doesn’t take big bucks to eat veggie!
Here are the Top 6 Tips For Saving Money:
1) Eliminate meat and you will save A LOT of cash.
Meat is far more expensive than grains and legumes so you can feel good about saving your hard earned money.
2) The more whole plant foods you purchase the LESS your grocery bill will be.
Even a vegetarian diet budget can creep up if you start buying pre-packaged or prepared items because you are basically paying for someone to chop, cut, and prepare food for you.
For example, chopped watermelon in a plastic container costs almost double what you would pay if you just bought the watermelon whole and cut it yourself. So don’t be a lazy vegetarian like Craig Ballantyne! Do your own food prep you will save money.
3) Buy from local farmers and markets that are willing to give you a DEAL.
They typically have better prices overall since you are going directly to the farmer. Plus, farmer’s markets are becoming more and more popular even in large cities.
4) Buy produce that is in season.
Since the produce will be in abundance during this time – the price will be less.
5) Instead of buying and paying for expensive salad dressings, make your own.
You can easily combine a few ingredients such as lemon, honey, salt and herbs and add to your salad for a zesty dressing.
6) Costco! Believe it or not, Costco has great prices on produce and bulk items.
You can get 3 times the amount of organic salad greens for about the same price as going to the regular store and getting the same brand in a smaller bag.
The Vegetarian Lifestyle is CONVENIENT
Another common misconception of the vegetarian lifestyle is that it takes way TOO MUCH TIME to follow.
Simply by setting aside a block of time to prepare your meals, the Vegetarian Lifestyle is just as easy and convenient as any other weight loss meal plan – only you don’t have to cook 10 chicken breasts at a time with our plan!
I love PREPARING MY MEALS at home.
When I make a meal, I make enough for several more meals so I can take it with me to work and so I don’t have to cook again. When I need to rush out of the house, I put my already prepared food in a Tupperware container, put it in an insulated lunch box with an ice pack and my next meal is ready to go. Now I can eat anytime, anywhere.
This is just as easy as making your lunch on any other diet plan – but again, you don’t have to spend a lot of time and money on expensive meat dishes. Most of what I eat doesn’t need to be heated up. Plus, the less heating involved in preparation means you will get more nutrients from your food.
If you must eat out…
…Most restaurants cater to vegetarians since it is more common.
Restaurants are willing to accommodate you by making changes to the meal. You just need to ask. Seriously, it is NOT an inconvenience. When I go to restaurants, they almost always are happy to add a sliced avocado or other toppings to my salad. Just ask!
Grocery shopping is simple and convenient as well.
After all, every grocery store has a well-stocked produce section. And these days conventional grocery stores and the growing number of health food stores all carry convenient foods for vegetarians that don’t need much preparation.
All in all, it’s pretty easy to stick to the Veggie Lifestyle. So, go ahead and give it a try, even if it’s only one day a week to start out with!
Kardena Pauza
Author of, Easy Veggie Meal Plans
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