If you’re wanting to spend less money at the grocery store, think about incorporating more whole, plant-based foods as you plan your next grocery trip. Some people think plant-based eating can be expensive but when planned out, it can actually end up being much cheaper than other lifestyles, especially if you’re focusing on whole foods, instead of the processed plant-based alternatives that are so popular now.

I’ve seen a family of four regularly spend $125 a week on a plant-based diet. There are 4  simple steps that I consistently follow to make plant-based eating affordable.

1. Plan Your Week

I’m sure if you follow me on instagram, you’ve seen this a lot…planning is a HUGE part of how I like to grocery shop, meal prep, and SAVE money. Planning out what you want to eat for the week can really help you defer from buying too many food items that could potentially go to waste. It can look as simple as a list on your phone, saved recipes on your Instagram, or a little notepad list of what you’ll need. Simply stated, go to the grocery with a plan to save money and time. Time is money after-all.

Shop the Sales

If you get a chance, check the sales before going to the grocery. Check to see if any of your commonly used staples are on sale. This may also influence what kind of produce you buy for the week and can help you decide on your meal plan too.

Buy in Bulk

Bulk buying can be better for both your pocket and the planet! It wastes less plastic, wastes less time in the grocery store, and can save anywhere from 20-83% on purchases! I love to bulk buy nuts, seeds, nut butters, rice, and oats in bulk because I know they are staple foods that I eat often. I currently buy most of my bulk items from Costco. Sprouts and other health-food type stores also has a great bulk section typically, although things are now prepackaged there for sanitation reasons due to COVID-19. These are useful for those that don’t need a warehouse store membership, but it allows you to buy just the right amount that you need and you’re wasting less packaging in the process (helping the environment!).

Cook from Scratch

The cost difference between eating out and cooking a meal at home can be astronomical. Start by trying to recreate some of your favorite restaurant dishes at home! Having a plan for what you want to cook is always the first step but sometimes it can be fun to make your own creation in the kitchen with groceries you already have! Start compiling some recipes from the internet (Pinterest is a great tool for this) so you can pick a few out each week for your meal plan before hitting the store.

If you have any awesome money saving ways that you like to use to make plant-based eating affordable, we can all benefit from them! Let us know in the comments below!

Eating more plants can come with its challenges. There’s a lot of nutrition noise out there, everyone has an opinion, and it can be confusing to figure out what works best for YOU. Working through these challenges and learning how to easily incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet and lifestyle can be helpful. Working with a plant-based dietitian to guide you through your unique journey and surrounding yourself with other like-minded people who are on a similar journey can be monumental. When you join my nutrition coaching program, you’ll get a highly customized, one-on-one experience to help you confidently and sustainably eat foods that taste good and make you feel good. Click the button below to learn more about my approach and see what other clients have to say.