Affordable vegetarian diet? Tips for adjusting your budget

Currently, the Vegetarian diets are the option for many people.. For various reasons, they choose to cut animal protein from their diets, as well as its derivatives. Although it may seem even more economical, in fact, it is not always so. Some of the products on the market aimed at vegetarians are more expensive than the equivalents present in an unrestricted diet. In this article, we’ve put together some tips that can help you have a vegetarian diet without weighing too much on your family budget.

Simplify choices and be creative

have a vegetarian diet it doesn’t mean eating “strange” or hard-to-find things. Most vegetarian products are already available at home. Products such as rice, dried or canned pulses, pasta, bread, potatoes, fruit, among others. These food products form the basis of a vegetarian diet and you can find them at very affordable prices, either in promotions or in white brands. These foods may not seem very interesting in isolation, however, the variety of meals you can make with them is huge. Be creative, look for new recipes, don’t be afraid to try the The simplest things are the tastiest. Another situation that must be taken into account is the price of the various forms that the products present. For example, beans are a food product that you can find dried or canned, however, the price varies between these two presentations. Canned beans come in smaller quantities and are more expensive as they are a “more convenient” product. It is important to take these aspects into account, because when you choose the product that is the fastest to consume, you are also spending more. It is preferable to buy the product dry, soak at home and consume. Thus, in addition to having much more quantity that you will give for more meals, you end up saving a lot. Like beans, there are several other products with this particularity. Be careful and opt for the cheapest.Also read: Sustainable holidays: 10 environmentally friendly national destinations

Look for discounts in vegetarian areas

Looking for discounts and promotions is extremely important in many situations, so when you choose a vegetarian diet is no exception. There are specific promotions that are held at a certain time each year. Usually, in supermarkets there is a promotion allocated to vegetarian and organic products. For example, thes vegetable drinks (soy drink, almond, oat, among others) are usually expensive products, however, in these promotions you can find them at a discount. Other than specific promotions, weekly there are promotions of the most varied types that you can, and should, take advantage of. Make a list of the products you want to buy on sale and pay attention to the brochures. Currently, practically all supermarkets have an online store, that is, you can use it to see prices without having to go to the physical store. If you find good deals on non-perishable products, that is, products that have an extended shelf life, take advantage and buy in larger quantities. Thus, you can use them over time and managed to acquire them at a lower price. However, you should always make comparisons between stores, as often the type of promotions are identical, but the price can compensate more in some than in others. Don’t settle for the first discount you see.Also read: Reducing your ecological footprint: The planet thanks you for following these 12 tips

Invest in food freezing

This strategy is important for everyone who saves, however, ifand follow a vegetarian diet, the freezer should be your best friend. Freezing food is key in many situations, you can freeze isolated foods, for example vegetables or fruits, or you can freeze meals. We remember that You can take advantage of promotions to purchase food in greater quantity. However, if you choose to do it with perishable foods, such as fruits and vegetables, you must ensure an efficient conservation method. In this case, freezing is the best method. In addition to guaranteeing the preservation of the nutritional characteristics of the food, it guarantees its preservation for a long time. This strategy requires you to prepare the food (wash, cut and/or peel) and then place it in the freezer. As you need it, take it out and consume it. On the other hand, can do the same thing with meals. In the same way that buying in larger quantities when there are promotions pays off, it also pays to make meals in larger quantities and freeze them to eat on other days. In addition to saving money, it also saves time. For example, if you decide to make a vegetable curry, you can make more and freeze some of it. On another day, heat up that meal, make a side dish, for example white rice, and have a vegetarian meal ready. Also read: Avoiding plastic when shopping saves the environment and wallet

Explore new stores and markets

With the growth in the adoption of vegetarian diets, the offer with regard to these products has also grown. New physical stores, online and varied markets are the new bet for many entrepreneurs. So, you should look for new products, research where you can find this type of stores and markets, follow them on social networks to keep up with the news. A great option to buy are the traditional markets. There you can find a lot of variety, especially in fresh products, and prices are often more affordable. Also read: Energy Efficiency: What to invest in for greater savings?

Do not abuse vegetarian convenience meals

Does it feel good to come home and just have to put a meal in the microwave? You know, however if you do this out of habit your wallet will show the weight. Convenience meals should only be used as a last resort, on those days when you don’t really have time to cook, or some unforeseen event has arisen. First of all, according to experts, many are nutritionally uninteresting, because have higher levels of salt and fat than recommended. In second place, are expensive when compared to a home-cooked meal. In addition, they usually only bring a portion corresponding to one person, that is, for a family of five, for example, you would have to buy five packages. If we assume a price per meal of €3, which is the average value of these meals, we are talking about €15 for a single meal. Also read: Making the world more sustainable: A practical guide for parents and children