New member and a Q
Posted by karatekid1975 on Feb 16, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 456 posts
Hiya all.
I'm a new member, but not new to VegWeb. I love this site. So, I decided to join. I am also a fairly new Vegan (5 months now). I was a lacto-ovo veggie for 3 years before making the switch. I'm still learning about the Vegan diet, so I came here for help.
My question is ... My meat-eating hubby is suportive of my diet choices, BUT he is starting to gripe about the food bill (some Vegan products are expensive, I do have to agree). So I was wondering what everyone's favorite inexpensive vegan food item is? I'm looking for stuff that I can buy from a regular grocery store. I know that most pastas (except the egg ones), and most tomato based sauces are Vegan. Stuff like snacks, quick meal items, ect.
Thanks in advance
Hm....I try not to buy a lot of the "snacky and fast" pre-made vegan things, mainly because they are so expensive.
As for cheap, though, I'm a pretty thrifty shopper. Canned (or dried) beans and lentils are cheap and easy/quick to prepare, so's things like oatmeal and whatnot. Frozen vegetables can be way cheap too. As far as none-frozen vegetables goes, try going to the store at the end of the day, and ask for discount on the "sorry"-looking (but still edible) produce. I know sometimes produce can really add up!!
I guess some cheap premade crap can be Fantastic Foods brand stuff, which are mixes that come in a box to make things like tacos, sloppy joes...etc. A lot of normal crap is actually vegan if you look. Go to Peta's "accidentaly vegan" website.
Veggies, grains, and beans. Go back to the basics. A lot of the more expensive items are the fake meats and convince items. To make meals faster plan a little bit. I try to buy all my groceries once a week and then a stock up run to WF once every month or so. I usually shop on Sundays and do almost all of my prep work when I get home and unpack. I wash all my veg and pre chop things like onion and garlic as well as any thing I know that I will use in the next few days. This makes dinner prep sooo much easier. When you cook up soups make a double batch and freeze half of it in serving size containers so you can just throw them in your lunch. You can do the same with beans. Make up a big batch of them and slightly undercook them, then freeze them in their cooking liquid in sizes suitable to the size meals you make. Caned beans can be expensive and they are a great source protein and fiber. A couple of time a week I cook up big batches of a grain. Brown rice, quinoa, WW pasta, etc, and then use it in different ways for a couple of days. If you are gonna use something a couple of times prep it only once. This saves a ton of time. I hope this helps.
Thanks all. Yes, that did help. I usually make big batches of soup and freeze it in portions for lunches. Pasta as well. Do you think it would work for rice, also?
I haven't tried freezing rice by itself but it does fine in with other stuff.
The veg*n rule of thumb is, the least possible processing! Try to buy foods as close to the original substance as you can get...and they usually work out cheaper. Dried beans instead of cans or jars, wholewheat flour and grains instead of premade breads and cakes, fruit and veg still with the skin on...like that. It will also cut down on the waste packaging.
Buy your spices in bulk where possible, also for teas etc.
For Tofu and like products, if you have an Asian market, go there. I find their tofu less than half the price of that sold at our large supermarkets, for double the quantity.
I don't know if you have a co-op in your area, they can be much cheaper because they sell things like grits, flour etc. in bulk...you may have to take your own bags but buying reusable plastic zip-fastened bags or similar is much cheaper and greener than all that parceling, as aforesaid.
Best of luck on the adventure!
stay away from packaged foods and you'll be just fine. the switch from ovo-lacto to vegan was easy on the wallet for me because i compeletely cut out snacky and frozen foods for the most part.
stay away from packaged foods and you'll be just fine. the switch from ovo-lacto to vegan was easy on the wallet for me because i compeletely cut out snacky and frozen foods for the most part.
Dito, It's mostly the procesed, convience foods that you will have a problem with.
Rice freezes OK, as do beans. Kudos on taking the plunge into veganism! (I'm not quite there yet, myself, but I'll get there.)
Like everyone said, avoid buying the fake meats, specialty items & processed stuff except on occasion. For a stick-to-your-bones meal, try making morning potatoes (aka hasbrowns/home fries) with tons of veggies. I like onions, peppers, frozen peas & mushrooms in them, but you could add anything. Beans and rice are great too. You can use fake vegan cheese on your pasta, but you can also replace the parm. cheese with vegan breadcrumbs. (Sounds weird, but it works!) I also like making vegan mexican dishes, especially with guacamole.
OMG!! You guys are great! Lots of great ideas. Thanks so much! Ok, I'll stay away from expensive procesed foods. I guess that's where I kinda "cheated" with my new vegan diet. If it was quick and said "vegan" I bought it. Maybe I need more research on regular everyday stuff from the super market. I'll do that ;) ... note to self ... more research ...
I'm glad I joined. You guys and gals rock.