How to become a vegitarian on a budget...?

Question

Also, I'm getting braces in less than two weeks!

:(

Answer 1

I think it's great you are concerned for your health. As far as bars and such... you could make your own which would be less money. I make my own bar similar to the Lara Bars using nuts, dates, raisins and cinnamon. It is really good!

Answer 2

My experience in veganism, is that I am the mother of a vegan family of six. And I have learned that you will have to do your own cooking. So go and grab a book and learn how to cook.Maybe cook something for the whole family (and your Mom could cook a thing of flesh on the side for all the otherfamily members).

I do not understand how everybody seems to think that you need a slab of flesh to be a nutritious meal? Does everybody not heed the warnings of the American Cancer Society that we need to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in our diet? You should be able to eat your family meals without the flesh! Do you not get a dark green leafy vegetable (preferably minimally cooked)? an orange vegetable? whole grains of rice? or quinoa? or millet? amaranth? or even whole wheat pasta? No? Then your family isn't eating healthy anyways.

Healthbars and soyjoy bars are not being vegan! You should not be asking her to buy that stuff! That is vegan junkfood anyways! How can anything wrapped up in chocolate and processed for a year of expiration date be healthy for you? You need to get a bag of lentils, vegetables (frozen if that is all that is available to you), and make some soup! Learn how to cook!

Oh yeah, this family is majority on a budget too! And I have learned how to cook many things! And the more I learn, the faster I become. I can now come home and whip something up in 30 minutes (clean up time doesn't count as the kids do it for me afterwards!).

Answer 3

Check out this site for lots of meal ideas and tips:

Vegan Eating on  Budget

http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=07budge...

Just use the fake meats and non-dairy products to splurge every once in awhile. You can be healthy by eating fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, and grains. Good luck!

Answer 4

This won't be a popular answer around here, but my advice is to postpone this.  The budget issue is not a small matter, and it's simply unrealistic to expect your parents to pay more for one family member.

Also, since you say "preferably vegan" this says you're not doing this because of a belief system.  Maybe you're trying to be healthier....and maybe you're trying to be the family rebel!

Unfortunately, the cheapest things for vegan and veggie are the beans and rice....and a 13 year old kid needs a lot more than that.  You could try adapting what your mom buys into a lacto-ovo-vegetarian, but I think you should hold off on this til you're older.

Answer 5

Sweetie, all the processed foods are expensive. Things like beans and rice, home made veggie burgers, veggie chili, etc. are less expensive to make then meals that include meat. Start collecting veggie recopies that don't include exotic ingredients, and learn to cook them for yourself. There are a few good veggie cookbooks for teens, I'd suggest you get atleast one of them.

Answer 6

Learn to cook.

The cheapest vegetarian foods are pots of beans, soups or stews.  Bags of dried beans, peas, lentils etc. are just pennies, and with a few cheap additions (carrots, celery, garlic, bouillon cubes) you have meals for several days.  In addition, heads of lettuce, olive oil and vinegar can all be purchased cheaply, then add whatever salad toppings you wish.

Convenience foods (like veggie burgers and Soyjoy bars) are fine once in awhile, but they are not intended to be dietary staples.

Answer 7

get things like grits, oatmeal, whole grain cereals

Also you can go to a local bread store or produce market and get some whole grain bread.. and some fresh veggies/fruit for a less price. For the protein try buying some unsalted nuts and getting things from morning star... i don't think they are to expensive... or if you're willing to be vegetarian get some eggs.. i not egg beaters. Try the health food store as well.... they might be a little pricey though, but you might be able to find a few little things in your budget.... also, coupons help A LOT! gl

Answer 8

Whole wheat pasta, brown rice, dried beans, frozen store brand veggies

Answer 9

well i eat soya mince and make loads of curries and shepherds pies,burgers, stews etc or tufu thats nice to make stirfries

Answer 10

Pick up World Vegetarian by Madhur Jaffrey.  It's probably my favorite cookbook, and I'm not actually a vegetarian, but everything is so delicious.  You don't need to eat the bars and expensive fake meat gardenburger stuff.  There are a lot of lentil, pasta, vegetable, etc dishes that are actually quite inexpensive.  Just remember to buy the beans and lentils dried and not canned.  It's much cheaper that way.  Don't buy the spices from a regular store since they're too expensive.  Try to find an ethnic store - Asian or Indian, or you can mail/internet order from one of the websites in the back of the book.  The book also has a lot of information on how you should combine the food in order to get complete protein.  You may want to stick to eating eggs and dairy until you're more used to the diet and managing your nutritional needs.

Edit - You may want to plant some vegetables in a small garden or container garden.