Is a plant-based diet cheaper than eating meat?

Studies across high-income countries consistently find whole-food plant-based diets cost less than omnivorous ones — often by a quarter to a third — because legumes and grains replace the most expensive items on the receipt.

What are the cheapest vegan staples?

Dried lentils and beans, rice, oats, pasta, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, frozen peas and spinach, peanut butter and tinned tomatoes.

Food & Nutrition

Vegan on a budget: cheap plant-based eating

Plant-based eating is usually the cheapest way to eat well. This hub collects our cost breakdowns, staple lists, bulk-buying guides and food-waste tactics.

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Questions this hub answers

Is a plant-based diet cheaper than eating meat?: Studies across high-income countries consistently find whole-food plant-based diets cost less than omnivorous ones — often by a quarter to a third — because legumes and grains replace the most expensive items on the receipt.
What are the cheapest vegan staples?: Dried lentils and beans, rice, oats, pasta, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, frozen peas and spinach, peanut butter and tinned tomatoes.