Keeping Healthy on a Budget

Keeping a good stock of fresh and tasty vegetarian ingredients can be a real drain on the budget, particularly for people who are new to vegetarian and vegan food.

With a bit of planning though, going vegetarian can be incredibly budget-friendly.

Research

The first step should be research. While many new vegetarians are diligent in researching dietary requirements, few turn to the most valuable resources available to them – basic recipe books. There are plenty of great recipe books for vegetarian eating, many of which provide a foundation for planning out a varied meal plan. It’s a good idea to start the search at the library, making things even better for the bottom line.

The right balance

When it comes to shopping, the right selection of more expensive items makes for a good diet. A common mistake made by people shopping on a budget is to cut out the more expensive goods completely. Sauces and supplements are an essential part of most vegetarian recipes, and this makes them part of a good vegetarian diet – without them, daily eating can quickly become bland, boring and even unhealthy. Buying vegan food online can be a smart way to stretch the special items budget further.

Seasonal awareness

Shopping with the seasons is more budget-friendly. One of the secrets of good vegetarian shopping is to know what foods grow when. Seasonal fruits and vegetables tend to be cheaper, particularly when organic. Food that’s not in season can usually be bought canned or frozen. Tinned food might not be as appealing as fresh organic food but in many recipes, it won’t make a difference.