The Average Vegan

When many people think of veganism, their minds automatically go to the expenses that they believe inherently go along with the diet. In the recent past, going vegan has been seen by the general public as an activity primarily for the wealthy, something that maybe a middle-aged, rich, white mom would do via overpriced Whole Foods salads to lose weight or go on a "cleanse." While this stereotypical version of a vegan definitely exists, this picture that many of us may have in our heads is an entirely inaccurate one. Way before I joined the vegan community, before I knew any vegans personally, I know that I thought the whole movement to be somewhat stuck-up and inaccessible to the average person. The more that I've become involved in veganism and the more I've formed relationships with vegans, the more I've realized this is entirely untrue. Veganism has been somewhat whitewashed by the media, and the notion that only wealthy white people are vegans is false. The best vegan restaurants I have ever been to are POC-owned and located in middle to low income areas, and these are the restaurants and community members that are truly the backbone of the entire movement. Vegan soul food is huge in large, diverse cities such as Atlanta and New York, and the prices of vegan food at most local establishments of this kind, even the ones in Tallahassee, are fairly equivalent to the price of a nice meal almost anywhere else.

While I believe that the world is finally starting to realize what the average vegan looks like, it is still difficult to get it through people's heads that veganism truly can be just as inexpensive as an omnivore's diet. I would never try to say that it's easier, because it's definitely not, and it's ridiculous to propose that making homemade vegan meals every night would be a better option for an overworked mother than getting cheap and quick take-out on her way home. Movies like Super Size Me are the worst kind of vegan propaganda, and make people who are just trying to live their lives to the best of their ability out to be monsters. However, I think there are a few tricks that can definitely make veganism affordable to people who are wary of costs, yet still want to go vegan. I usually shop for produce at local Asian food marts, as they are far cheaper than they would be at somewhere like Publix. When I do go to a chain grocery store, I always buy in season, which is both better environmentally and economically, as in season fruits and vegetables are usually on sale. Also, staying away from meat and dairy substitutes and instead relying primarily on beans and green vegetables for protein will help you reduce your costs, as soy-based products are usually fairly pricey. Buying in bulk is important, as you will be able to get a great deal more for your money while also reducing the amount of waste you are creating on a daily basis. Bulk pasta is especially cheap and helpful to have around in a pinch. Lastly, farmer's markets are your best friend, as most items will be locally sourced and the consumer will not have to pay for the shipping costs of international fruits and vegetables.

I truly believe that no matter who you are, you can make veganism work for you as long as you have a genuine desire to make a major change in your life. The longer you're vegan, the more tricks and tips you learn, and with time you'll probably find that you're spending less on food than you were in the first place.