Tips on Eating Cheap as a Veg Babe

Tips on Eating Cheap as a Veg Babe

Alright ya'll, so I've been eating completely plant-based for two years now. I'm gonna crush a couple of misconceptions about plant-based/vegan eating for you before I begin.

First of all, it does not have to be expensive at all. Secondly, it doesn't have to be gross. When I first began my lifestyle change, I ate soggy tofu and spinach. Never, ever do that, because I'm here to help!

My first tip would be to always buy seasonal produce when you want to buy organic, and typically regular produce will remain relatively cheap unless it's tropical. Only buy tropical fruits, besides bananas, during their season. Bananas are always relatively cheap, so have at it. Here's a quick guide to see what all is in season; https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide . Also, bulk-buying frozen fruits and vegetables is a money-saving life-saver! I spend 2$ at Winco on a large bag of mixed veg that I can add to my meals throughout the week. Even greens such as spinach can be found in the frozen aisle for cheap. Frozen fruits make the best smoothies, anyway!

Next, we can talk about proteins. Beans, tofu, lentils, etc are all proteins I regularly consume. I either buy name brand beans, bulk lentils, or Trader Joe's tofu (It's 98 cents a pack vs. 1.78$ at WinCo.) However, vegan meat can run expensive at places like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, or Sprouts. Luckily, I've found that even bulk stores and cheaper stores such as Walmart and Winco carry plant-based meats! I regularly see deals for the veggie meat as well as a 2-3$ difference in price from health food stores. So, if you wanna get wild with some veggie chicken nuggets, keep an eye out!

Drinks and snack items are my weakness. I love Arizona tea and Oreos to no end. (Guys please get me an intervention.) So that I don't blow all my money buying packs of these from gas stations, I make my own tea and buy the family packs of Oreos. Family packs of any snack foods are typically the best deal, but you can always compare prices on ANYTHING via the "$ per ___" it can be per pound, ounce, sheet, etc just depending on what it is. If a family pack of Oreos is 68 cents per ounce, and a regular pack is 88 cents per ounce, the family pack is obviously better. It'll not only last you longer for the price, but it's cheaper overall. Now, onto my tea recipe!

Walmart brand Green Tea Bags(40 Bags)- 2$

Equal, Stevia, Honey, or Sugar of choice(Half Cup)- 2-3$

Lemon juice(2 tsp)- 98 Cents (The plastic bottle ones.)

(If you don't already have one) Plastic Liter Pitcher- 4$

Total per Liter- 49 Cents (Estimated via an average between the products) 

Just a reminder that the pitcher will last years, so invest in one you like!

Take two bags of tea(5 cents per bag), half a cup of sweetener of choice (31 cents), and two teaspoons of lemon juice(8 cents). Let sit for 1-2 hours after mixing to allow tea to seep. Green tea is one of the fastest seeping teas so it won't take long! It all depends on how strong you like it. Remove the bags and serve! Keep refrigerated because it can go bad on the counter.

Lastly, remember to bulk buy some seasonings. They're cheaper this way, and it's super easy to zest up your veg by putting seasonings on top. Buy some liquid smoke for tofu, beans, and lentils to make a beefy stew, and don't be scared of experimenting with curries, chilies, and oils to find exactly what you like, for cheap!