Anyone looking to embrace veganism might be led to believe it’s a niche lifestyle only for those who can afford to spend more than usual, even “just” to eat. However, this isn’t true at all; being vegan is not “a rich thing”! Vegan food does not cost more than animal-based products, and here’s why.
Grocery shopping
Going grocery shopping is the first step to looking around. For a few years now, supermarket shelves have offered a wide variety of 100% plant-based options to choose from, which, it’s true, may seem a bit expensive compared to “traditional” ones. However, two aspects should be considered: ready-made meals – whether plant-based or not – as well as tofu, tempeh, and seitan, which should not and cannot constitute the basis of a diet that can be considered healthy and balanced. They are treats to enjoy occasionally, which surely won’t have much impact on the grocery budget.
Moreover, perhaps it’s time to change perspective: instead of asking why plant-based alternatives are so expensive, it would be more appropriate to ask why animal-based products are so cheap. The exploitation of labor and animals, intensive production, and the appalling conditions under which production occurs help lower costs, but at what price? From an ethical standpoint, environmental sustainability, and even consumer health, this is a goal we should not be satisfied with.
Consider that our culinary tradition includes many vegan recipes featuring simple and easily available ingredients. Others can be easily made vegan, so in Italy, we have an advantage: we can choose to eat plant-based without overturning our habits, after all. The basis of a plant-based diet is made up of many “common” plant foods, which are very affordable and accessible to everyone. Think of grains, legumes, seeds, seasonal fruits, and vegetables: nothing too expensive, right?
Some concrete examples
Don’t you believe that choosing 100% plant-based foods can save you money? Here are some data that might change your mind:
- The average price of 1 kg of lentils – €2.50
- The average price of 1 kg of chicken – about €13
- The average price of 1 kg of tofu – €10
- The average price of 1 kg of veal – about €18
- Price of 1 kg of vegetable burgers – from €13 to €20
- Price of 1 kg of veal burgers – from €15 to €20
The power is in your hands
Another aspect to consider is the supply and demand relationship: generally, less demanded products cost more than others. Prices are reduced when more people prefer a particular product, so buying plant-based products sends a strong signal to the entire production chain, from the raw material supplier to the supermarket, including the company that manages the wholesale trade of products. Following the increase in demand, all these actors will decide to invest more time, space, money, and labor in producing plant-based foods, gradually changing everyone’s eating habits at much more advantageous prices.
Sometimes, a small gesture is really enough to change things, especially in a consumer-based society like ours.
