Recent years have seen a steep rise in vegan diets and people embracing vegetarianism, especially in the developed world. In 2016 a Mori poll showed that approximately 540,000 people over 16 identified as vegan in the United Kingdom. Research conducted by comparethemarket.com last year has seen that number increase to over 3.1 million, a rise of over 600% and almost 8% of the population.
At this point in time, most supermarkets now have their own range of vegan food and these product lines are growing every day. The same can be said for a large number of high street restaurants and cafes which now offer a variety of vegan options.
While this should be embraced as good news we want to take a look at one of the aspects which people associate with being vegan, i.e. the costs involved. Contrary to popular belief, its not expensive to switch your diet routine. Here are four reasons why it’s cheaper to be a vegan:
Vegan Ingredients are Cheaper. Period.
Plant-based whole foods should be the base of any healthy diet. The best thing about these tasty nutritious foods is that they are the cheapest ones. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, vegetarians can save as much as $750 a year with a recommended 2000 calorie daily diet of plant-based foods.
Same Items and a Huge Room for Creativity
People learn some simple recipes and simply start preparing their own meals. Easy isn’t boring and we now have a long list of recipes available on the internet as well as many vegan books are in the market for beginners to get some ideas.
The Impact on Peripheral Costs
Not only is it possible to fix a vegan meal for almost $1 a day, it also helps brings other costs involved in everyday life. The first is the expense of eating out. We all know that junk food puts a huge dent in our pockets every month. Then there is also the health costs. Numerous studies show that vegans are less likely to fall sick bringing down medical expenses too.
The Inexpensiveness of Home Gardening
As a vegan, you can opt to get your ingredients at home. You can either grow your own produce, even if it is only a window ledge of herbs such as basil or mint or get someone to do it for you. It will save you money while being fresh and organic at the same time.
Conclusion
So what’s the answer to; is being vegan cheaper? Well, the truth is it’s entirely up to you. If you are buying vegan ready meals, faux meats and expensive snacks then, of course, you may as well be spending more than you did eating meat.
The good news is that eating super healthy and vegan can be extremely cheap if you choose to do so. These are a few reasons that highlight the reasons why it’s cheaper to be a vegan and will help you make an informed choice about switching diet plans or not.
Also Read: Weight Loss Diet Plans: Why Controlling Food Intake Alone is Not Enough
