Saturday, May 24, 2008

Be Vegan on a Budget

As a vegan it can be difficult to find affordable food that fits your dietary needs. Many specialty grocery stores and health markets offer the food you want but at expensive prices. If you're a vegan on a budget, use the information below to save money on your food expenses.
Buy in bulk. You can purchase staples such as brown rice, grains, beans, nuts, dried fruit and granola in bulk quantities at many grocery stores. Because you're not paying for any fancy packaging, bulk foods are usually much cheaper.
Purchase frozen vegetables. Although many people prefer to buy fresh produce, it usually don't last very long. However, you can pull a bag of frozen vegetables out of the freezer, use only what you need and save the unused portion for another time.
Add beans to your diet. Beans are an excellent source of protein and they're usually very cheap. Purchase canned beans at the grocery store and rinse them under running water to reduce some of the sodium content. Or, buy dry beans in bulk and cook a big batch on the weekend to use during the week.
Find out if your community has a farmer's market during the summer months, where many vendors offer fresh produce at low prices every week. Some communities also have co-ops or local farmers who offer vegan friendly foods at budget friendly prices.

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