Do you fall into one of these categories? Just over 7.3 million Americans have chosen vegan or vegetarian diets, and an additional 22.8 million are “flexitarian”, meaning they eat primarily plant-based foods with the occasional addition of meat or fish. Yes? No? Sorta? Well with one in three Americans working from a budget and so many of us either going full vegan or toying with the idea of doing without a daily dose of meat, we can assume that how to go about getting enough nutrition out of a plant-based diet while not breaking the bank is a question on a mind or two. Here are some basic tips to either get you started or keep you on track with spending as you work to be a little more thoughtful about your food.

Compare Prices

Grocery stores are required to not only supply the per item price but also the unit price and there can be a lot of variation, even from one organic brand to another. Weigh your options on quality, do a little math, and consider choosing a brand that is going to give you more plant-based bang for our buck.

Visit Your Bulk Section

Now that you’ve mastered unit pricing, the bulk section will be your new best friend. An increasing number of grocery stores are even offering organic options, and you can score big on things like chia seeds, oatmeal (proats for days!), walnuts, turmeric, and even peanut and almond butter!

Consider Frozen

We all love our smoothies, a reliable and delicious addition to any diet, but particularly a plant-based one. But getting our hands on favorite organic fruits and vegetables year round can be expensive in the off season. For smoothies and smoothie bowls, frozen is a great and convenient option, and almost always cheaper.

Stock up on Staples

It can take time to build your pantry, but once you have the basics like spices, nuts, seeds, oatmeal, dehydrated fruit, grains, and beans, then you can make more out of your weekly trips to the farmer’s market.

Meal Prep

Meal prepping is a great way to reduce waste, save money, and stick to your nutrition goals. Plus, it saves you a ton of time during the week. Everyone meal preps differently, and it can be anything from cooking up a big batch of brown rice to incorporate all week, or as detailed as having each meal prepped and ready to eat. The key is to do what works for you and plan ahead. Check out these 5 Tips for Realistic Meal Prep to help you get started!