A Cheap Plant-Based Diet for Beginners

Ready, set, let’s eat plant-based! This might mean a total change in how you typically eat, or maybe it means a reset. Either way, a plant-based diet CAN be achievable, approachable, and absolutely delicious. 

A recent study highlighted by the American College of Cardiology found that people who ate a diet rich in healthy plant foods, examples including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, had a 17–24% lower risk of early death compared to those eating more processed or animal-heavy diets.

And it wasn’t about being “perfectly vegan”; it was about choosing the right kinds of plant foods. Budget-friendly staples like rice, oats, beans, and produce made the biggest impact.

It’s your day #1 of starting a plant-based diet and with this guide, we’re going to help you make it an easy day #365.  

Jump to:

• Quick Start: Eating Plant-Based on a Budget in 5 Steps 
• What Is A Plant-Based Diet
• Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet 
• 5 Healthy Habits for the New Year
• Cheap Foods Included in a Plant-Based Diet 
• Affordable Plant-Based Protein 
• Affordable Whole Grains & Carbs 
• How To Start A Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Diet 
• How To Shop On A Budget
• Fan Favorite Recipes to Get Started
• Frequently Asked Questions About Beginning a Plant-Based Diet

Quick Start: Eating Plant-Based on a Budget in 5 Steps 

1. Pick 3-5 Staples You Enjoy: The best kind of plant-based diet is the one you’re actually going to eat. So, first start with your favorites and build your meals around it. For example, that may include rice, beans, oats, potatoes, or frozen vegetables. 
2. Cook one big batch meal per week: Eating plant-based can take some time, so make it easy on yourself and batch cook a meal. This may include a pot of beans, soup, or chili. 
3. It’s okay to make it repetitive: You don’t have to have chef-approved meals for every meal, everyday. Your kitchen, your rules. If there’s something you really like, it’s fine to incorporate that into several meals. 
4. Keep flavor boosters on hand: Onions, garlic, dry spices/seasonings, lime juice, soy sauce, etc. These stretch cheap staples into meals you actually crave. 
5. Freeze everything you can: This makes a plant-based diet easier. If you have extras or on a cooking-kick, just make extras and pop it in the freezer. In our household, we love doing this with all sorts of legumes, chilis, and soups.  

What Is A Plant-Based Diet

So we’re just eating plants, huh? Well, that’s not EXACTLY what a plant-based diet is. It’s all in the name. “Plant-based”. Although there is no official definition of a plant-based diet, it can be viewed as a spectrum, based on what’s suitable for your lifestyle and your needs. 

For some, it may mean a diet that’s entirely vegan (with a focus on whole foods), for others, it may mean you’re eating plants while occasionally consuming animal-based products like eggs, dairy, and meat. 

The goal is the same, though: eating more plants. 

All kinds of plants, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, legumes, nuts and seeds, and edible flowers. 

What is a Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet?

A whole-food diet is a type of plant-based diet. This way of eating offers a more rigid approach to plant-based eating.

For example, a whole-food, plant-based diet (WFPB) would exclude or avoid animal products, mock meats, tofu, oils, added sugar, alcohol, packaged and highly processed food.

Speaking of sugar, if you want to sweeten your recipes without refined, processed sugar, check out our date paste recipe.

Those on a whole-food, plant-based diet might also avoid vegan burgers from fast-food joints, candy bars, ice cream, cereal, or deep-fried, battered vegetables. 

Instead, a whole-food, plant-based diet focuses on whole foods close to their truest form, both cooked and raw. Examples of meals on a whole-food, plant-based diet include a salad with a homemade vegan sauce, buckwheat bowls, tomato soup, and oil-free "fried" rice.

Is Plant Based And Broke A Whole-Food, Plant-Based Blog? 

Plant Based And Broke focuses on plant-forward recipes while living frugally. 

I understand how challenging and sometimes impracticable it is to live a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle on a limited income, access, and time. Because of this, canned, packaged, processed food gets the thumbs up on this blog. Of course, used in combination with whole foods. 

While there are folks out there who can consume a variety of leafy greens at every meal, at an affordable price, this is not the case for many. 

Canned beans to make a quick bean soup for dinner? Yeah, I'm into it. Or, a classic, peanut butter sandwich as a cheap plant-based snack? Yep, this blog has that one, too. 

21 Dinner Recipe Ideas

Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet 

Weight Loss

Going on a plant-based diet can support weight loss and weight management. Studies have revealed that a low-fat vegan diet has aided in reducing BMI. 

According to a study published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (NCBI) “in multiple cases, there was a significant difference in weight loss between the plant-based group and the omnivore group, the former having reduced the most weight.” [Source] 

It also showed that the difference between vegan and vegetarian diets was not significant. This means, a shift to any kind of plant-based or plant-forward diet will often lead to better weight outcomes. 

Lower Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol is a condition that can clog up your arteries and may cause significant health issues. It can limit blood flow, which increases a person’s risk of a heart attack or strong. 

One of the culprits of high cholesterol is a diet high in saturated fat, which may come from animal products and oils (palm oil and coconut oil). 

Animal-based food is known to raise blood cholesterol levels, while a plant-based diet can significantly lower the risk of high cholesterol. 

 The American Heart Association emphasizes a heart-healthy diet that includes “fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, nuts and nontropical vegetable oils while limiting red and processed meats, sodium and sugar-sweetened foods and beverages.” [Source] 

This means that a plant-based diet is a great way to prevent or treat high cholesterol. 

Better for the Environment

If you care about the earth, going for a plant-based diet is a great way to show love to the world around you. A plant-based diet has lower greenhouse gas emissions and requires less water and land.

It's Affordable

When done right and from scratch, a plant-based diet is affordable, especially with the rise in cost in animal-based food products.

Meat, eggs, and dairy are not cheap and replacing those foods with plant-based options, you'll end up with a cheaper grocery bill. If you're wondering how you can include plant-based protein for cheap - consider edamame, beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, and tempeh.

Also consider going for cheap vegetables.

5 Healthy Habits for the New Year

If you're going into the new year with a healthier mindset, it doesn't start or end at a plant-based diet. There's many ways to incorporate a healthy lifestyle to keep you feeling balanced, energized, and alive.

1. Drink plenty of water. Focus on hydrating. You can even spruce up your water with lemon/lime juice or electrolytes.
2. Eat fresh, homemade food. Save money, know what's in your food, and prepare from scratch. To save time, make food in bulk and invest in a pressure cooker.
3. Increase your fiber intake. Fiber is king! Fiber helps improve digestion, boost heart health, and lowers the risk of certain cancers.
4. Plan ahead. Have a plan for your meals. For example, every day is a different cuisine (Indian, Puerto Rican, American, etc), so that way we already know what's going to be cooked that night for dinner.
5. Focus on a balanced plate. Focus on fruits, vegetables, protein, healthy fats, and whole gains/carbs.

Cheap Foods Included in a Plant-Based Diet 

Many of us might think a plant-based diet might run the household grocery bill to the ground - but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Affordability on a plant-based diet is possible to achieve, especially when some planning is involved. 

To start, you can go for 75 Things In My Pantry for an idea of affordable, shelf-stable food items that are affordable, can be useful in plenty of dishes, and are accessible. 

Affordable plant-based foods for your next budget-friendly grocery trip: 

• Beans 
• Peas 
• Lentils 
• Potatoes 
• Carrots
• Corn 
• Onions
• Pepper 
• Garlic
• Frozen vegetables
• Frozen fruit 
• Bananas 
• Oranges
• Tomato sauce 
• Tomato paste 
• Peanut butter 
• Oatmeal 
• Brown rice 
• Pasta
• Noodles 

I love to use frozen fruit in smoothie and vegan milkshake recipes - these fruits can last a long time in the freezer as long as they don't suffer from freezer burn.

CHEAP Plant-Based Recipes

Consider what's plant-forward, yet affordable, then plan out meals around those ingredients. For example, dry beans are always affordable, so I often make chili, soups, or veggie burgers with them. 

Another example includes potatoes. I use them often, especially during the wintertime when their shelf-life is much greater. I'll make mashed potatoes, potato soup, or breakfast home fries. 

Affordable Plant-Based Protein 

Plant-based protein is an important addition to our diet and should remain so even on a meatless diet. 

Just because you’re either eliminating or reducing your animal-product consumption, it doesn’t mean going without protein. There is plenty of high-protein, plant-based food to add to your regular diet. 

If you love legumes, you’re in luck -they are packed with protein and plant-based fiber. For example, a serving of black beans has about 7 grams of protein at 110 calories. Additionally, a serving of lentils has a whopping 10 grams of protein at 130 calories. 

Load up on those legumes, they’re packin’ on protein. High plant protein recipe ideas include chocolate peanut butter smoothie, tofu “sausage” crumbles, savory oatmeal with green onions. 

Learn more about cheap plant-based protein options.

Pro-Tips To Cheap Plant-Based Protein: 

1. Purchase dry beans instead of canned beans. Dry beans cost less per serving and a 1-pound bag can serve 12 servings. Meanwhile, a can of beans can serve about 3.5 servings, both at relatively similar price points. 
2. Stews, soups, and chillis can stretch plant-based protein very far. Go for a mix of beans, lentils, and even tempeh to bulk up your one-pot meals. 
3. Snack on nuts and seeds for a fast and easy way to increase your plant-based protein intake. My favorite cheap seed? Sunflowers seeds. You can find a bag of them for a buck at a dollar store or discount market. 
4. If you have an Asian market accessible to you, take advantage of their affordable packs of tofu and tempeh. 

Here's One Kid-Friendly Way To Use Protein-Packed Tofu:

Check out our Tofu Nugget Recipe and Vegan Tofu Recipes for more ideas.

Affordable Whole Grains & Carbs 

Whole grains and plant-based carbohydrates are affordable choices in a plant-based diet. They can be minimally processed, unlike refined grains, while providing your body fuel and fiber to move things along. 

Cheap whole grains to consider include:

• Whole oats 
• Brown rice 
• Quinoa
• Barley 
• Brown rice pasta 
• Farro 
• Bulgar 
• Millet 
• Buckwheat 
• Corn 

Plant-based and vegan diets can be a lot more satisfying and filling by including these whole grains, with the addition of protein. My favorite? Black beans and brown rice to keep me full and satiated. 

Be sure to check out our recipes using whole grains. Including Peanut Butter Baked Oats and Puerto Rican Spaghetti using whole wheat pasta. 

How To Start A Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Diet 

A plant-based diet can be affordable, however, I need to note that it may pose a challenge to those who struggle with food access and availability. 

Most metropolitan areas have ample options for plant-based food including big-box grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and community gardens. 

Here are some tips to get you started.

Prepare your food 

Dining out, no matter your diet, can cause a heavy dent in your bank account. You’re not only paying for the cost of food, but you’re also paying for the service, space, and other costs associated with running a restaurant.

You'll get the most bang out of your buck by simply cooking and eating a plant-based diet at home. 

Track Your Spending 

If you want to be on top of what you’re spending, keep track of costs, stick to a budget, and meal plan for the week.

What I find helps me the most is coming up with a grocery list for the week, along with a flexible meal plan. This way, you're using everything you have and you're also avoiding food waste.

Plan Ahead & Meal-Prep 

Additionally, making certain dishes ahead, for example, chili, soup, vegan butter chicken, and rice helps with sticking to the plan, saving time, and making meals less complicated.

A lot of meal-prep meals can be frozen and reheated for later in the week or month. 

You can even go for chopped raw veggies for an on-the-go snack. For example, carrots and hummus. 

Shop for what in season 

Produce will vary in price, depending on the season. Take note of these seasonal savings and work your grocery list and meal prep around it. 

Buy in bulk when you can 

Buying in bulk is not always possible, depending on your access, means of transportation, and your ability to spend a little more in one go, but buying in bulk is an option for saving money.

Although Costco is one of a handful that is known for selling in bulk to the public, smaller stores may carry bulk items, too.

Check out your local ethnic grocery store - depending on what they sell, they might have large quantities of it for a lower price. 

Prepare easy recipes 

There's nothing wrong with having recipes in rotation. You don't have to create 5-star meals every night.

Looking back, my mother prepared some of the usual dinner meals with some variations. For example, rice, beans, protein, and steamed vegetables. The protein often changed, but the sides stayed the same during the week.

This is something I also do when I am not creating a new dish experimenting with recipes. 

How To Shop On A Budget

If you’re living in an urban area or a community with options for different grocery stores, you’re in a fortunate position. So, let’s start there. 

Do Price Comparison Between Stores 

Getting familiar with the prices between grocery stores will set you up in a better position to recognize a deal.

Keep in mind, a discount grocery store doesn’t always have the best deals. On the other hand, a big box with an upcharge in prices can sometimes have deep discounts. 

For example, I purchase canned beans at Target because I find they are much cheaper than my local Trader Joe’s, Costco, or smaller food shops. 

For this reason, when I am at Target for personal items, I am sure to grab a few cans of beans on the way out. 

Another observation is that a cilantro bunch is half the price at my local Indian store in comparison to any grocery store in the area. Additionally, I get a great deal on tofu at the Asian grocery store. 

Long story short, keep in mind what things cost and plan accordingly. Sometimes it’s not worth driving or taking a bus to the next town to shed a few cents off from a bunch of kale, but if it’s on the way or you’re already there - take advantage of a great deal. 

Look At Prices Online 

Prices are often cheaper online than in-store, but you might spot a good deal or two. Some items I buy online in bulk for cheaper include oat bran porridge, nutritional yeast, and spices. 

Some of these items are specialty items and it’s just cheaper and faster to buy online than to hunt them down between stores. 

A great example is nutritional yeast. Many stores do not carry the item - it’s just not a popular item yet. So, I purchase a big bag of nutritional yeast online. I know it’s always there and they are typically at a reasonable price. 

If you don’t have grocery stores that sell spices at a good price, Amazon is a great place to find them in bulk. Big-box grocery stores will often have spices in a small container at a high markup. It’s just not worth it. 

Give Small, Local Grocery Stores A Chance 

We might be comfortable and familiar with our go-to grocery store, but give the local, small stores a chance. 

It doesn’t hurt to stop by and see what they have. In addition to a good deal, small local grocery stores may also carry ethnic specialty items that you can only find there. 

A good example is the Asian grocery store near me carries an abundance of different mushroom types (oyster, king oyster, porcini, cremini) that I can’t find at large chains. 

Forget About Brand Loyalty 

Growing up, we shopped for specific brands. Instead of looking at the prices, we looked at the packaging we were familiar with. 

I promise, if you look at the back of the ingredients list, you can get the same product for cheaper with non-branded, or less popular brands. 

These items include peanut butter, nuts, seeds, sauces, salad dressings, rice, beans, and frozen produce. 

You don’t need a “good” brand for a good quality product. Do the comparison test and check out all of the brands along with their ingredients. Do a price comparison based on their weight and make your informed money-saving decision.

Take it one day at a time, transition into a plant-based or vegan diet at a pace that's reasonable and affordable to you. Focus on adding to your diet, rather than eliminating, to make the switch easier. 

Have fun, eat well, and experiment with different recipes. 

Fan Favorite Recipes to Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions About Beginning a Plant-Based Diet