Veganism on a Budget
Word on the street and across the internet is that vegan diets can in fact work out cheaper.
Research from the University of Oxford [1] found that, in high-income countries, such as the US, the UK and most of Europe, adopting a vegan diet could save up to one-third on food bills. They said: “Our findings show that healthier and more sustainable dietary patterns are generally lowers in costs than westerns diets.”
Good news for vegans
The study, published in Lancet Planetary Health, compared the cost of seven sustainable diets to the current typical diet in 150 countries, using food prices from the World Bank’s International Comparison Program.
Results showed that vegan diets were the most affordable and pescatarian diets actually increased food shop costs by up to two per cent.
Not without a catch
However, a recent article [2] by Compare the Market pointed out that the study focused on whole foods and did not include meat replacements or eating out.
With an estimated quarter of the British population to become vegans and vegetarians by 2025, a change towards a more sustainable food system is vital.
Dr Marco Springmann, a researcher at the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food, [3] says: “Affording to eat a healthy and sustainable diet is possible everywhere, but requires political will … Western-style diets, often seen as aspirational, are not only unhealthy, but also vastly unsustainable and unaffordable in low-income countries. Any of the healthy and sustainable dietary patterns we looked at are a better option for health, the environment, and financially, but development support and progressive food policies are needed to make them both affordable and desirable everywhere.”
Certified by Independent Health Institutions
The British Dietetic Association (BDA), NHS and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AAND) all recognise that a well-planned vegan diet is suitable for every age and every stage of life [4]. A fact that all major health bodies agree on [5].
A whole food vegan diet is a very healthy way of eating. By making smart choices and getting those essential nutrients from plant-foods, we automatically make more room in our diets for health-promoting options, while also avoiding the foods that harm health. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about what fuels our bodies best, while falling in love with cooking all over again!
A world of plant-based food options
The powerhouse foods – lentils, chickpea, and other legumes – are not only packed with protein but make a great alternative in terms of texture and taste to replace meat in dishes. They’re widely available dried or ready to use in convenient tinned varieties. They make for quick, filling meals such as in our Tin Can Spag-Bol or our Supermarket Chilli.
No matter if you’re an enthusiastic cook, or rather pop everything into a ‘one-pot’ meal, we have dishes for any occasion and ability in our repertoire of nearly 1,000 scrumptious vegan recipes. And many of them are as cheap and delicious as chips!
Dig in to a Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich and use the bean water to make a batch of Aquafaba Mayonnaise. In a mood for something spicier, but short on time? Try our quick, easy and cheap Chana Masala recipe, followed by our Budget Banana Bread for afters!
Make the switch today
Why not sign up to our V7 meal plan with daily emails or download our free V30 app packed with everything you need to go vegan!
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References:
[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(21)00251-5/fulltext
[2] https://www.comparethemarket.com/meerkat-your-life/articles/can-you-afford-to-go-vegan
[3] https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/food
[4] https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/british-dietetic-association-confirms-well-planned-vegan-diets-can-support-healthy-living-in-people-of-all-ages.html
[5] https://viva.org.uk/health/healthy-vegan-diet/expert-endorsements-and-testimonials/
The author
This post was written by Pia Werzinger
As Viva!'s Food and Cookery Digital Media Manager, Pia is keeping you up to date on the latest recipes and vegan food news.