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October, 1997
"Stern Magazine," the "Life" magazine of Germany, did a story on this "self-willed woman (me) who lives for only two things: extreme diet, extreme exercise." (They have to sell magazines, right?)
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Saving Money as a Vegan
Dr. Ruth Responds to writer who challenges her contention that eating vegetarian is cheaper than non-vegetarian eating.
AJ:
I read your article and found it
slightly misleading. There is not a 40 to 70% savings on
your grocery bill going vegetarian or vegan. Vegetarian
foods are often expensive and hard to come by. Buying in
bulk is difficult in warm areas where storing food can be
a problem. Bugs ya know. Then there is the problem of
making several trips to the market during the week for
fresh fruits and veggies. They don't last very long in
the refrigerator. So you are now buying expensive
vegetarian foods, which are even more expensive if
they're organic. (How does $3.00 for organic tomatoes
compare to 6 non-organic tomatoes for a $1.99) You are
making more trips to the store (therefore using more gas,
more wear and tear on your car, which equals more money).
I wish people would quit saying vegetarianism is cheaper than meat eating,.because it isn't; and you discourage people when they get to the store and see the prices. I am a vegetarian and am often shocked at the price of vegetarian foods.
DR.
RUTH: Thanks for your comments, AJ. You raise
some interesting, and in some cases, valid points on the
cost of vegetarian/vegan foods versus the costs of
adhering to a Standard American Diet. While it is
difficult to make absolute statements on this or almost
any issue without leaving the door open to criticism, I
feel my own experience is not unlike that of many who
have changed from a meat-based to a plant-based diet.
In the introduction to my book "The Race for Life Cookbook", I addressed this specific issue:
Many people seem to think that a vegetarian diet is expensive. "Stern Magazine", the "Life" magazine of Germany, did a story on this "self-willed woman (me) who lives for only two things: extreme diet, extreme exercise." (They have to sell magazines, right?) Dr. Maria Biel, the journalist who interviewed me, said that people in Germany told her that my diet must be very expensive. I gathered all my grocery receipts and totaled them. She couldn't believe that I was eating for less than $40 a month. It's because plant foods are generally less than half the price of animal foods (pound for pound), I don't eat out very often, and I buy in bulk whenever possible.
Certainly there are places in this world, including the more developed countries such as the U.S., where vegetarian staples, if available at all, are going to command higher prices than in others. Major metropolitan areas, particularly those vegetarian-friendly locations such as downtown San Francisco, are going to provide more options at lower costs than many suburban and urban locations in areas where vegetarians are still regarded as a bit weird.
And as you correctly point out, those who opt for organic produce are going to pay a premium, regardless of their location (unless they are fortunate enough to be in a position to raise their own, as I note several VegSource regulars do). Having said that, I remain convinced, based on my personal experience and contact with thousands of Vegetarians and vegans throughout the U.S., that it is not an exaggeration to say that most people can expect substantial savings in food costs when changing from a meat-based to a plant-based diet.
Here in Hawaii, where almost everything is shipped in, the costs of eating vegetarian/vegan are higher than many places on the mainland. But relative to meat prices, (which, except for some fish, must also be shipped in), plant-based foods offer a significant savings. The cost of many processed and packaged vegetarian foods can make your eyes water; but, even in this hot, often humid climate, with more than its share of bugs, I am able to buy in bulk and store in tightly sealed containers. I also make a point of buying produce on sale and in season when it's the cheapest.
Example: Watermelon was 10 cents a pound a couple of months ago. That's when I happily eat a lot of watermelon. Yams are 19 cents a pound around Thanksgiving and I'll do the same then. The rest of the year, I pay less than 20 cents a pound for potatoes and eat a lot of those. Brown rice is the same. That's inexpensive, I think, by anyone's standards. Another major variable is how many of those processed and packaged vegetarian foods you buy. In my first book, "A Race For Life" is a guideline for healthy eating. "Don't eat anything with a face; and don't eat anything with a label." Any time you buy foods that come in a box, tin, can, or jar, you are paying much more for convenience, handling, packaging, storage, and if frozen, the cost of keeping the items frozen.
I've seen some people's grocery carts filled with convenience foods, juices, small sizes, etc., and know that there's an art to being an accomplished cheap eater!
Thanks very much, AJ, for the opportunity to address this subject.
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