Coming from someone that isn't rolling in dough either...LOL
Yes and no...
Some main things... beans, grains, vegetables, fruits...
Are very cheap... Usually I eat whole grains... they can be a little more expensive than the enriched/bleached crap... but if you look for them on sale... you can get really good deals.
Basically the main staples in my diet are cheaper then that of a meat-eaters diet.
As far as soymilk... Again (if you are buying it from a supermarket) just look for the sales... Where I live, it goes on sale a lot...So I stock up... geez that stuff stays good forever as long as you don't open it.
Now here is where it may get expensive... the "specialty veggie foods" Like soy butter, imitation foods...even tofu is expensive in my supermarket...
My suggestion... either look for when those things go on sale... Or live without them[I'm talking about the imitation foods like packaged veggie burgers] ...they are not something that you need... Beans, grains, veggies, fruit, nuts... are the things you want, and you can find all of that stuff dirt cheap...
You can always make your own veggie burgers... home-made always tastes better anyway. Just search for some recipes online.
And as far as a butter substitute... you can always use olive oil, unless you're making vegan cookies or something like that.
As for tofu... Sometimes it is expensive in the supermarket... I get my tofu from an asian supermarket... it's like 2 for 1.50 there... pretty cheap.
Hope that helps.
Oh I forgot... My local stores have vegetarian sections (where all the imitation foods and tofu are)... But that section is pretty much no use for me...since the "veggie cheese" that they sell has casein (a milk derivative) or some kind of milk protein in it.... their veggie burgers have eggs... and their tofu is so expensive. If you want a specific product, ask the front desk... they might have it hidden in another section(for example the vegan cream cheese is in the regular cream cheese section and the soymilk is in the dairy section) Also, they may be able to order that product for you. I asked them if they sold tofutti imitation sour cream(for a party dip LOL I don't even like sour cream), and they told me that they didn't... but next time I went to the store... the tofutti sour cream was in the sour cream section... Maybe I wasn't the only person to ask about it :]
No problem, Thanks for the best answer:]
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Is maintaining a vegetarian diet expensive?A healthy vegetarian diet can be very inexpensive if you stick to natural foods. Whole grains and dried beans can be purchased in bulk, will provide sufficent protein for your diet, and are much less expensive than any sort of meat products. A block of tofu will cost about the same as a similar amount of meat.
(Frankly, if you go with canned beans, even though it will cost way more than dried beans it will still cost much less than meat. The store brand of beans costs about 50 cents (American) and is good for two meals.)
Fruits and vegetables should be a part of everyone's diet so you would be eating them either way. These are also fairly inexpensive.
Soy milk doesn't cost much more than dairy milk (about the same as organic dairy milk). While margerines labeled "vegan" might be expensive, if you're not picky you can probably find a cheap brand that contains no animal products.
However, once you start getting into convenience foods, the prices start going up, and it could cost you more. Fake meat such as deli slices and soy burgers cost a lot more than the cheaper cuts of real meat (although probably not more than organic or free range meat). Frozen dinners will cost at least double the commercial brands. Vegetarian convenience food might also be harder to find. But there is no need to have these products in your diet -- soy beans are just as healthy (and probably a lot more so) purchased in bulk and cooked at home, than made into a soy burger and put in your grocer's freezer.
So you need to balance your available time, your health, and you pocketbook and decide what is most important to you.
Eating healthy is the new Hip trend. Since the increase in demand for fresher vegetables and Vegetarian dishes local grocery stores have begun to accomadate there shoppers with numerous items. I'm not sure why you are going Vegetarian. Whether you read something during research for a class, are unhappy with your new knoewledge of how animal by products are prepared or are just looking to eat healthy can make a difference in what foods you choose to eat and the cost. An organically grown banana in a bag for example can be more expensive than one piled in the pyramid of bananas when you first walk in.
You may also notice an increase in cost at specialty stores or vegetarian resteraunts vs. your normal grocery store. I would say make a list of the items you are looking to purchase and price check.
For example: many people eat grilled portabella mushrooms or eggplant to replace chicken in there meals. Neither item is typically more expensive than chicken breast. Tofu also comes in a variety of types and at a variety of costs. Like you would when shopping for any meat product for supper - look for the weekly deals and check out low cost recipes online to give yourself variety and make sure you are getting the regular nutrients your body needs. Protein may not build muscle but, lean proteins found in fish and some meats feeds muscle and helps your body burn fat when eaten in moderation. Make sure you talk to your doctor about dietary supplements or to one of your athletic coaches at school about how to maintain a healthy diet with or without meat or meat by products.
GOOD LUCK -Is maintaining a vegetarian diet expensive?
Veggie burgers are much cheaper and some veggie lunch meats are too. The good thing is that it fills you up faster and provides you with more nutrients than meat diets so you don't eat as much. I spend about 1/4 less money than I did as a meat eater.
go to a restaurant... usually the veggie stuff costs like 10 dollars, and the meat about20... but I don't eat anything fancy... I would guess this holds true for home to
Yea It is a little more expensive but worth EVERY penny! 4 real! Keep it up!
Do you spend money on your hair, nails, clothes, purses, and going out to the movies? Then don't be cheep when it comes to your health.
I'm not rich either - but I don't think it cost more in the long run to be a vegan. When I switched over I threw away alot of condiments and other staples in the cupboards and had an initial bill that was kinda high. After that it cost about the same.... But buying soy "meats" is expensive. It is also processed food and you could do better for yourself if you bought tofu (which is kinda cheep) and learned to work with that.
We have a specail grocery store by us called "Whole Foods" and you could check in your area if you have one. It's good to have a health food store to go to get special items occasionally.
check frozen and fresh fruits and veggies in your local supermarket. Also check in the dietetic isle and bulk area (for nuts and grains). Many grocerie stores have morningstar and Boca products in frozen. Also look for "Amy's" products in frozen section.
And always read your lables. Never assume it's vegan or vegitarian because of the maker of the product.
yes it is
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