Veganism on a Student Budget

For many people, veganism often seems like an expensive luxury diet that only the wealthy among us can afford to immerse themselves in. Many people question how such a diet can be followed by those of us on a budget or low income. However, veganism is much more accessible than many people think. Here are some quick tips on how you can stick to a vegan diet whilst at college or university.

1. Buy in Bulk

Much of the cost of vegan food can be cut by simply buying food in bulk. Things like pasta, rice and pulses are the basis for many hearty and filling meals, and these items do not perish quickly. Take advantage of bulk bags of these items, an one-off monthly investment in large quantities of food will help you to save the pennies during the rest of the month.

2. Frozen Food Is More Efficient

Planning meals around busy university schedules is often hectic. Often, you may plan meals but find yourself caught up or delayed by other events. However, these issues can be mediated by preparing meals in advance and freezing them. Things like spaghetti or curry can be prepared in advance, frozen and then heated up at a later date. With this method you could be sat down and eating dinner within minutes of arriving home from a long day of study.

A further advantage of freezing food is that there are many possible food items that you may not have considered freezing. Fresh fruit, bread, chopped vegetables and many more items can be safely frozen and defrosted when needed. Using this, you will be able to ensure that you are not risking food going off and ensuring that you get the maximum usage from the food you buy.

3. Vegan Food Traps

Unfortunately, veganism is still seen as a niche diet. For this reason, you may find that many vegan items in stores have an excessive markup compared to their non-vegan counterparts. Many of these items are vegan alternatives to products such as meats or dairy. However, it is important to remember that such items are not necessary to lead a healthy vegan lifestyle. Though, if you are tempted by these tasty vegan goodies check out own brand products of supermarkets. These products are often cheaper than the expensive branded products, and are sometimes made by the same companies. Many supermarkets have 'Free From' sections which contain a vast range of tasty vegan foods, many of which are own-brand.

Eating out as a vegan can often be more expensive than dining as a meat eater, but it is still possible to do on a budget. Be sure to shop around when looking at different dinner options, as many restaurants offer deals on certain days (especially if you're dining during the mid-week). A vast number of restaurants now offer vegan meals so you will be spoilt for choice. Many family chain restaurants (such as Pizza Hut) offer reasonable prices for vegan food and there are many takeaway companies who now offer vegan options.

If all else fails, however, remember that you can always pick up a fresh coffee with non-dairy milk at no extra cost from your nearest Starbucks or Costa.