A low-fat vegan diet can save over $650 a year on groceries while boosting health.
Switching to a vegan diet isn’t just good for the planet—it’s also good for your wallet. New research from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, published in JAMA Network Open, shows that a low-fat vegan diet could save Americans more than $650 a year in grocery costs compared to a standard American diet (SAD).
Vegan Diets Cut Costs While Boosting Health
The study revealed that going vegan slashes food expenses by 19%, or $1.80 per day, compared to SAD, which includes meat, dairy, and other animal products. Even more impressive, a vegan diet costs 25% less—or $2.40 per day—than a Mediterranean diet, which focuses on fish, low-fat dairy, and olive oil.
Dr. Hana Kahleova, lead author and director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee, said, “As the cost of groceries remains stubbornly high, consumers should swap the meat and dairy products for a low-fat vegan diet based on fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans to possibly save more than $650 a year on their grocery bill, compared with a standard American diet, and more than $870, compared with the Mediterranean diet. A vegan diet won’t just save money; it could save lives by helping to avoid or improve conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.”
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Meat-Free, Money-Saving Meal Plans
Savings on the vegan diet mainly come from spending $2.90 less daily on meat, 50 cents less on dairy, and 50 cents less on added fats. These reductions outweighed slightly higher costs for vegetables, grains, and plant-based meat alternatives.
This analysis builds on earlier findings showing vegan diets also improve weight, cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity. Using USDA food price data, the study demonstrates that a plant-based lifestyle isn’t just healthy—it’s financially sustainable.
Ready to save cash and embrace a healthier way of eating? Load up on fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes, and watch your grocery bill shrink!
