Is eating plant-based expensive? Of course, expensive is relative with many interpretations, but I would argue not eating plant-based is far more expensive in many ways.
Once I went to a supermarket to determine just how much it would cost to stock up on fresh produce before a presentation. My goal was to go for the most inexpensive products in the produce aisle and see if I could make breakfast, lunch and dinner without breaking the bank.
By the time I left, I took photos of at least 30 items that were less than $1.99 per pound and that was only in the produce section. Items like carrots, broccoli, onions, squash, celery, cucumber and tomato were more than enough to satisfy me. Then, when I went to the beans and rice aisle, I had even more to add to my list.
With what I had I could easily make a big bowl of soup with rice, enough to feed at least 3 people comfortably, for less than $5.00. I could make broccoli with onions and garlic for less than $3.00. Is that less than a Happy Meal at McDonald’s? Yes, because you can feed more than one person. Is it more nutritious? Of course, but you already knew that.
But a bigger factor is health care costs, not the price of food itself.
As a whole food plant-based eater, you will get sick far less often. You will be less susceptible to major diseases like cancer and diabetes. You won’t struggle with your body weight. All that means fewer and less frequent medical bills, which is especially important if you have no medical insurance.
One thing that is hard to measure is performance. On a whole food plant-based diet something tells me you would perform at a higher level, physically and mentally.
Many professional athletes, including basketball, football and tennis players, are experiencing better performance and faster recovery by simply eating more plants. If it works for the best in the world, odds are it will work for you.
So, how expensive is it to not eat plant-based? That’s the real question.
