Eating Plant-Based on a Student’s Budget

Eating plant-based can already be a difficult task for many, but adding in the factor of being a college student on a tight budget can make that task even harder.

Veganism and plant-based diets have grown about 500% since 2014. 6% of Americans are vegan. 10% of adults consider themselves to be vegetarians. With that being said, veganism is predicted to be the biggest food trend this year. More restaurants are adding vegan and vegetarian options to their menus to better satisfy all customers.

Research by 1010 Data, a data insights company showed:

Consumers are getting more conscious. They’re mindful of the products they put in and on their bodies, and of the environmental impact they have. As this consciousness increases, manufacturers are taking note. 

5.2% of adults say that they are “interested” in following a vegetarian, or plant-based, diet. What holds people back from being vegan or eating more plant-based foods is the cost. 

So how do you eat plant-based while on a college student budget?

There is an idea that plant-based eating means “organic” or “non-GMO”--which are on the more expensive side of veganism. There are ways around those options. Non-organic fruits and vegetables are still vegan. Beans are a nice source of protein and are ultimately cheaper than chicken. Nuts and grains are vegan options that are sources of iron and are cheaper than meats. 

When transferring from an avid meat-eater to a plant-based eater, we tend to look for the vegan versions of our favorite foods. Replacing pepperoni pizza with vegan pizzas or chicken wings with tofu tenders. We will also find that several of our favorite are accidentally vegan, and although they may not be healthy, by label, they are considered vegan.

When looking into going plant-based, consider why exactly you are doing so. If this is something that you want to experiment with loosely, occasionally dappling in processed vegan foods will not be very harmful to your journey. But, if you are wanting to go plant-based as an effort to lose weight or prevent illness, you will want to avoid these foods and consider a more raw vegan diet. If you are on a tight budget, it is important to realize that buying processed vegan foods can be more expensive than purchasing raw groceries and cooking your own meals.

Starting a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy, but starting with a plan and understanding your purpose will surely help to keep you on track.