Why do people always say being a vegetarian is expensive?

Question

lentils= cheap
beans=cheap
nuts=cheap
most veggies=cheap
bread=cheap
pasta=cheap
tofu=cheap( like 1.50 per pack)
mushrooms(button)=cheap
granola/oatmeal=cheap
rice=usually cheap unless it's a special grain like forbidden or sushi rice


steak=mad expensive
salmon=often more expensive than steak
ham=expensive
cold cuts= cheap but poor quality anyway
chicken=more or less expensive but still costs more than vegetarian options


real spiel:animal imitations and specialty items are expensive

vegan cookies(one cookie is about 2 dollars)
non dairy spread( It is a bit pricy but it's really good)
seitan/tofu( if it's marinated or something)
veggie burgers
veggie dogs
veggie nuggets
veggie bacon
veggie meat substitute
soymilk(it's still worth it tho)
non dairy ice cream(I buy it on occasion and it tastesjust like the real thing)

anything in a box is $$

So does anyone think that vegetarianism is costly?
or do you just spend alot on special items?

PS Hemp and flax can be pricy since flax tends to spoil quickly and Hemp is very hard to get due to rediculous laws due to ppl equating it with pot which it isn't

Answer 1

That's my pet peave. The worst argument against
vegetarianism. Most vegetarians actually spend
less because they are more particular about
where they eat out and don't eat at resturants
as often as meat eaters. I see meat eaters
spend 30 to 40 dollars a week just buying
lunch at fast food joints during their breaks.

I also see a lot of vending- machine- a tarians
throughing money into a machine that
exclusively dispenses trans- fats. Throw in
the expense of blood pressure pills and
statin drugs and I'd say that veggies are
getting off cheap.

Answer 2

When I buy meat alternatives like boca burgers and the like, I buy them on sale..it ends up being $1 per serving. That's not expensive at all. Even if I dont buy on sale, I can get a bag of quorn tenders for $3.50 and it lasts for 3 meals for 2 people or 2 meals for 4 people...that's not expensive either.

I do buy some fresh veggies but mostly frozen store brands and those are pretty cheap. I also buy whole wheat pastas and thats $1.50 a box and a whole box feeds 5 people.

Answer 3

I think it depends on where you live...for some people, fresh fruit and veggies can be expensive. For others, the frozen soy products can be super pricey.
Personally, the most money I spend is on the specialty items. Most of the time, I predominately buy fresh veggies and fruit. Here in Ohio, those are fairly cheap.

Answer 4

Well as a vegetarian I have to say that it can be expensive. Especially if you buy only organic foods. But usually I spend around 30 dollars a week on food. Most of that is fresh veggies or tofu. I must say that as a college student I do spend more a month on food than most of my non veg friends do. But it is worth it to me.

Answer 5

I notice you didnt mention fresh vegetables. A veggie thats doing it right would be buying lots of good organic produce. A pint of blueberries costs more than a pound of beef. A fresh apple costs more than a deli cooked drumstick. Two portabello mushroom caps costs more than two chicken thighs. A fresh pineapple costs more than a lamb chop. I am celiac and have other food allergies, so I have to buy specialty flours and rice pasta-three times the cost of the cheap stuff. Yes, if done right, a vegetarian diet costs more than a standard meat diet. Beans and rice are cheap enough, but the fresh veggies and fruits, especially if they are organic are pricey compared to meat. The government subsidizes the meat industry, but not the organic farmer

Answer 6

As you said, those who think vegetarianism is expensive are thinking of the prepackaged items, fake meats, frozen dinners, etc.
There are also a few places (e.g. Northern Canada) where some fruits and veggies are more expensive than meat because of shipping costs, but this is of course no excuse to forego nutrition.

Answer 7

I'm not vegetarian but I have started eating a healthier diet and have you seen the prices of fresh produce lately? I went to the store the other day and bought just 4 navel oranges, one yellow onion and a package of natural almonds and it was $13.00. Now, that's just ridiculous.

Answer 8

They say so because they are uniformed.

If you look at the nutrient content of vegetables and a vegetarian diet you are definitely getting more for your money then eating junk food or over processed and prepared foods.

So this is just spoken from ignorance.

Some of the organic food is more expensive then commercially grown produce.

I say pay now or pay later.

Answer 9

This opinion comes from people who are not able to cook. Give them a bag of vegetables and they don't know what to do as they know food only out of a plastic wrap, ready to go to the microwave!

Answer 10

nah its not sarcasm. its just ignorance. I think its probably harder to be a vegitarian in a family that is not. I think that being a vegan decreases greatly your choices, but I think being a vegitarian does not increase any cost.