Plant-Based on a Budget!

Thinking about a implementing a plant-based diet?  Concerned about the cost of adding all of those delicious organic veggies to your shopping cart?  Don't be!  We actually decreased our grocery bill by eliminating meat, seafood, cheese and other dairy products.  Good quality meat is much more expensive per pound than beans or vegetables.

Here are some ways to shop smart on a plant-based diet:

1. Shop the Whole Foods Bulk Section - this way you can buy as much or as little as you need of most any rice, beans, nuts, grains, legumes, dried fruit, etc.  This saves money because if you only buy what you are going to use, you won't have any waste.  In addition, I've compared pricing on many of the bulk food items to the packaged items elsewhere in the store and you really get a lot more for your money when you buy it from the bulk section.
2. It doesn't get much cheaper than rice and beans!  Always go for the dried beans/legumes.  They are much less expensive than their canned relatives and you don't have to worry about the BPA lining in the cans.
3. On your way into Whole Foods, pick up the Seasonal flyer at the front of the store and see if there are any coupons for any of the items on your grocery list.  Or, see if you can substitute an item from your grocery list with one that is on sale or there is a coupon for.
4. Go Organic where it counts!  Follow the EWG's Dirty Dozen list and try to purchase these foods Organic, if it all possible.  Check out the EWG's Clean Fifteen list for produce that is safe to buy traditionally (not Organic).
5. Sign up for the Whole Foods Market email newsletters to get valuable coupons, heads up on specials/sales.  Whole Foods often does one-day sales and you can only get notified if you receive their emails.  If you do not have a Whole Foods near you, look for an EarthFare or other health food store and sign up for their emails.
6. Plan your meals and make your grocery list each week before going to the store.  Stick to your list and don't buy anything that you don't need.
7. Shop your local farmer's market for in-season fresh produce.  
8. When possible, buy the 365 Whole Foods brand, it is often much less expensive than the other brands.   
9. When you're buying produce, try not to buy it more than 3 days in advance of when you plan to use it.  That way you won't run the risk of wasting it due to spoilage.  Veggies lose some of their nutrients after they're harvested - so it's best from a nutritional perspective to eat them shortly after you purchase them.  

Do you have some tips for shopping on a budget?  If so, post your ideas below!