Here’s How Much Money You Can Save on a Vegetarian Diet
Vegetables are good for you, and according to a recent study, if you go on a full vegetarian diet, you can save hundreds a year.
A study published in the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition compares USDA recommended weekly meal plans that include meat to similar meal plans that are purely plant-based. Both plans include 2,000 calories per day.
Overall, the study found that the regular meal plan (which they call MP) costs $ 750 more than the vegetarian meal plan. In addition, the vegetarian diet included an additional 25 servings of vegetables, 8 servings of fruits, and an additional 14 servings of whole grains per week. The abstract of the study concludes:
The economical MP version costs $ 746.46 more per year with fewer servings of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Of course, this study is simply quantifying what we could save on a vegetarian diet; this does not mean that you should go on a vegetarian diet. Depending on your dietary goals, or simply your addiction to protein, meat may be your staple food. This is just a reminder that cutting out meat even once a week can save you some money.
Check out the study yourself using the link below.
Economical Healthy Eating (2012): Including Lean Animal Protein Costs More Than Using Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Taylor and frances online through time