25 Budget Friendly Vegan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the 28 day vegan challenge? ›

“Hansen's 28-day plan is a thoughtfully crafted diet and exercise regimen for those starting a plant-based diet. Hansen explains the logistics behind weight loss or weight gain, and what to expect from one's body when it transitions to performing on plant-based fuel.

Eating healthy and vegan is simple on a budget, and over time, the money you save with each trip to the grocery store by swapping out cruelly obtained (and expensive) foods for cheap vegan ones will add up. There are plenty of delicious, healthy, and cheap vegan foods that you can find at most grocery stores.

Staple vegan foods such as oats, lentils, pasta, rice and chickpeas are among the cheapest foods and are in *a lot* of vegan recipes, so should definitely make an appearance on your list. Oh, and avoid shopping whilst hungry.

Eating a vegan diet is associated with a decreased risk of diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. This vegan weight loss meal plan also sets you up to lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week.

A vegan diet is based on plants (such as vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits) and foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.

Some plant-based foods, such as soybean products, seitan, beans, and lentils contain high amounts of protein. You can also find protein in nuts, whole grains like quinoa and amaranth, and hemp seeds. People following a vegan diet may need to plan in order to reach their daily protein goals.

Want to live longer? Go vegan! In 2020, two studies found that following a mostly plant-based diet can improve longevity. One study by Harvard and Tehran University researchers found that people who consumed 3 per cent more protein from a plant-based diet reduced their risk of premature death by 5 per cent.

And that's only the dietary component of veganism. “The thing is, despite strict vegans' understandable frustration with meat eaters, no one is completely vegan. It's just not possible to live in this world and entirely avoid causing animals to suffer.”

Eat a protein serving with each meal to keep you feeling full. Great vegan and vegetarian protein sources are beans, tofu, tempeh, nuts, quinoa, lentils, whole grains, and starchy vegetables. As long as you focus on whole foods (rich in nutrients) and avoid processed foods and oils, it will be hard to overeat.

What snack foods can vegans eat? ›

Intake and status of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and bone turnover markers were generally lower in plant-based dietary patterns compared to meat-eaters. Vegans had the lowest vitamin B12, calcium and iodine intake, and also lower iodine status and lower bone mineral density.

You can lose up to 2 to 3 pounds a week and keep it off it you stick to a whole food plant-based –or vegan– diet. For what foods are "on the list" and how much is recommended for each, check out the Vegan Food Pyramid.

Studies have shown that a vegan diet can reduce your weight by an average of 5.6 pounds in 18 weeks, or less or more than a third of a pound per week!

A Quick Review

If you stick with healthy food choices, you'll likely lose weight and snack less. You may also see improvements in your skin and energy levels. Just make sure to get enough of all the vitamins and minerals you need, especially B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, which can be lacking in vegan diets.