this post was submitted on 08 Oct 2023
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[–] usernamesAreTricky@lemmy.ml 99 points 2 years ago (3 children)

It's worth noting that in countries like US, it's really only things like beyond burgers and impossible meat that cost more. It doesn't require eating those for a plant-based diet nor are people typically eating those every meal, is why plant-based diets generally have lower costs

Compared to meat eaters, results show that “true” vegetarians do indeed report lower food expenditures

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921800915301488?via%3Dihub

It found that in high-income countries:

• Vegan diets were the most affordable and reduced food costs by up to one third.

• Vegetarian diets were a close second.

• Flexitarian diets with low amounts of meat and dairy reduced costs by 14%.

• By contrast, pescatarian diets increased costs by up to 2%.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2021-11-11-sustainable-eating-cheaper-and-healthier-oxford-study

[–] ericbomb@lemmy.world 32 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Oh yeah I 100% spend less on food as a vegetarian, because black beans/lentils are such wonderful cheap sources of protein.

But sometimes I want like the premade like meat crumbles or burgers, and those cost more usually.

[–] match@pawb.social 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

But do you spend less because you're vegetarian, or because you don't have options for spending money at fast food / restaurants?

[–] ericbomb@lemmy.world 32 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I mean a pound of beef costs $4.

A pound of raw lentils like a $1.

Lentils are more calorie dense.

Lentils are more protein dense.

Black beans are in similar camp.

Rice and wheat products are cheaper per calorie, but lack the protein.

So yeah, it's just cheaper to be a vegetarian, even with massive beef subsidiaries. But veggie patties are still more expensive because of processing and they are smaller batches.

[–] scala@lemmy.ml 14 points 2 years ago

To add to this as a vegan of 10+ years. To supplement the lack of protein, I use pea based protein powder for a meal. And add hemp seeds for other meals/snacks during the day.

We occasionally get the processed grounds/meat substitutes only when they are on sale. Which would be 2lbs for $6 for a gardien/beyond/impossible alternative to animal flesh in pounds.

[–] blanketswithsmallpox@lemmy.world -1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Unfortunately the difference between eating meat or lentils is having to eat lentils lol.

[–] ericbomb@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

... okay you got me there.

But the veggie tech to make meat likes is getting better, so hopefully soon!

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yeah people really don’t believe me when I talk about how much I save by being a low fish pescatarian. A can of beans is cheaper than equivalent beef or chicken as are mushrooms. Peanut butter sandwiches are a cheaper lunch than lunch meat ones. And I’m not hurting for protein because beans are full of the stuff

[–] Illegal_Prime@dmv.social 1 points 2 years ago

I’m not vegetarian, but I will stand by peanut butter being the best sandwich filling for packing lunch. Nothing compares to its ability to keep well in a room temperature ziploc bag.