How to be a Healthy Vegan on a Budget

Whether you've been vegan for a while or you've recently switched to a vegan lifestyle, you may have found that you're spending more than you thought. Some specialist vegan products can be pricey, whether it's meat or fish alternatives, ready meals, seasonings or even healthy vegan snacks. But this doesn't have to be the case. There are predictions that the plant-based products hitting supermarket shelves will come down in price as they become more mainstream - and the truth is, you may not even need these products at all. We share our top 5 tips on how to be a healthy vegan on a budget.

5 tips for how to be a healthy vegan on a budget

1. Cook from scratch

Processed foods and ready meals may be convenient - but do you know what they really contain? Some are packed full of preservatives and other non-natural ingredients, while the sugar, salt and fat content of some processed vegan foods can be high. They can also work out far more expensive than cooking from scratch.

2. Get batch cooking

If you don't relish the thought of cooking from scratch every night, you're not alone! During COVID-19, 73% of Brits turned to batch cooking to save both time and money - not only is buying ingredients in bulk cheaper but by freezing meals in portions, you'll always have something in to reheat quickly when needed. You'll find plenty of recipes for stews, soups, curries, pasta sauces and more online: fill your freezer and you'll have one less thing to worry about!

3. Plan your meals

Meal planning is a great way to keep to a budget - and to make sure that the food you buy actually gets used. While some people plan every meal for the entire week, others plan out and buy for evening meals, and simply make sure they've got choices in for breakfast and lunch.

4. Buy in bulk

Whether you're shopping at supermarkets, online or at independent stores, bulk purchases can work in your favour. Dried pulses like lentils and chickpeas are not only good for you, but they have a long shelf life and work out substantially cheaper when bought in larger quantities. Rice, pasta and grains can also be purchased in larger packs to save you money.

5. Keep it simple

While it can be tempting to try recipes that use all sorts of new and exciting vegan products, it's not necessary - especially if you're looking to cut costs. A simple curry packed with lentils and vegetables and served with brown rice can give you all the nutrition you need, and curries, stir-fries and stews are just as great. If you fancy going more fancy from time to time, there's nothing stopping you - but there's nothing wrong with enjoying the basics for a healthy, nutritious and affordable vegan meal. Another great way to stay healthy and save money as a vegan is to look for voucher codes and offers, such as our MyVegan voucher codes which get you great discounts on their meals, snacks and supplements. With a little forward planning, it's easy and affordable to live well!