I would LOVE to go veg or even vegan, but organic food is so expensive! What are some cheeper alternrnatives?

Question

I know this type of food is MUCH healthyier and better on your body combined with protien and soy. ect...

but i need some tips to save money..

Thanks! =))

Answer 1

Grow it yourself. Even being a non-vegan, it is still exspencive to buy food, and it is only going to get worse.. So do what a lot of americans are doing, make you a small garden if you can, and grow your own veggies.. It will help...

Answer 2

I gave up flesh about 6 weeks ago, and I thought it was going to be expensive also. Turns out I'm saving money because I can't eat out as much as I use to. Before I was eating out about 4 meals a week, now its less and ordering vegetarian food is cheaper at a restaurant. At home I buy mostly conventional food, organic is very expensive, but I do buy it when its affordable. I shop mostly at whole foods.

Answer 3

You do not have to buy organic to go vegan or vegetarian. You just need to either give up meat or all animal proteins. Organic would just be one step healthier.

To do this on a budget you should buy your beans and grains in bulk from a co-op if there is one. Buy local veggies or grow your own. Get a bread machine and make your bread. I make an unbleached with no dairy.

Do web searches for vegan and veg recipes. I use soy cheese in a lot of recipes as I am allergic to dairy.

You could even start by just cutting out animal products a couple times a week.

Answer 4

Have you got a local organic vegetable farm near you? the veg is usually cheaper than the shops.  They don't use any pesticides on their food or weeds! And my local one uses only vegetable based fertiliser/compost.

I purchased tins of organic kidney beans/butter beans/chick peas/cannelini beans all for 45p each, you can use these in salads and curries and chilli's.

the most sprayed crop is tea, so if you have anything organic it should be teabags.

They say that if you can only buy a few things organic, but fruit/veg which have thinner skins, as the fruit/veg with thicker skins like bananas don't absorb quite so much chemical.

Answer 5

When I made the transformation, I thought it would be rediculously expensive. And the truth is, sometimes it can be. There are some stores that specialize in organic vegan and vegetarian foods, and you can always find deals. It's tough, but i'm sure you can do it!

And yes, it is far healthier for your body, and i'm glad you've made the decision to go veg!

Answer 6

dont have to go organic although its good to

but you can just eat natural foods (friuts,veggies,fresh bread)

farmers markets will probly be your best bet & that way youll know what your eatting & where it came from!

hope that helps

hopexx

Answer 7

its not always about organis even though thats best its all personal taste even though i only eat natural and organics and dont touch anything that has artificial additives and perservatives in it i know vegetarians that still eat a ton of junk food its just about not eating meat as a veggie and eliminating dairy and eggs as a vegan its not really expensive you have boca and morningstar farms products and soy is really good

go to thses sites for more advice

allveggielinks.com

veggielinks.com

goveg.com

vegweb.com

vegconnect.com

veggieconnection.com

Answer 8

I don't believe you have to buy organic foot go go vegetarian.  There's a difference between the two..

Answer 9

You don't have to go organic to be a vegetarian or a vegan.  I know of people that don't buy organic at all and are indeed vegetarian/vegan.

As to the expense - it is cheaper to buy fruits, vegetables, and grains without the meat than to add meat to the bill.

There are people where I live that are cutting more and more of animal products out of their diets because of the very high costs of buying beef, chicken, and fish - and opting for the cheaper approach of buying and eating more vegetables, fruits, and grains - and forgo the meat in their diet several meals a week.

Answer 10

I am vegan and I can't afford to buy organic.  You don't need to buy organic to be a vegetarian or vegan.

Answer 11

You don't have to buy organic to be veg.  That's just a preference for those who can afford it.  No big deal, just buy them when you eventually can afford more.  

And remember, it's good to invest in organic foods as soon as you can to avoid hundreds of thousands of dollars in the hospital later. You have to look at it as paying for health, paying to stay away from some common ailments and diseases.

Answer 12

Get Vegan cookies, their hella bomb!

Answer 13

You can still be vegetarian or vegan without being on an organic diet. In general vegetarian and vegan diets are actually much cheaper than an omnivorous diet, meat costs alot more than fruit or veg.

Organic is better for you and the environment, Since no herbicides and pesticides are used. Organic tastes better, has more nutrients, and is not covered in toxic chemicals. Unfortunately it is usually more expensive due to higher production costs and lower farming yields. If you can afford the extra cash then be sure to wash your fruit and veggies well before you eat them, grow your own veggies, or try non-GM, free range, growing your own, or gowing to local farmers markets.