Is going vegan actually cheaper?
It depends entirely on what you buy. A diet built on beans, lentils, rice, oats, tofu and seasonal vegetables is one of the cheapest ways to eat well — these are the lowest-cost sources of calories and protein in most countries. The bill climbs when you lean on vegan cheese, mock meats and ready meals.
The cheap core
Dried lentils, chickpeas, black beans, rice, oats, frozen veg, peanut butter, tofu, bananas. Build meals on these and your cost per meal drops fast.
Common questions
Is a vegan diet actually cheaper?
It can be. Whole-food staples — beans, lentils, rice, oats, seasonal vegetables, tofu — are among the cheapest sources of calories and protein. Studies comparing balanced diets find a wholefood plant-based diet is often cheaper than an omnivorous one; the cost goes up with mock meats, cheeses and ready meals.
Why is my vegan shop expensive then?
Usually because of processed replacements: vegan cheese, mock meats, packaged snacks and branded plant milks cost far more per serving than beans, lentils and grains. Shifting the balance toward whole foods is what lowers the bill.
How is cost per meal calculated?
We divide your total weekly grocery spend by the number of meals you eat from it, then compare against a typical reference cost per meal for a mixed diet so you can see the difference and project it over a year.
