Go vegetarian to save money
By Scott McCredie
What visitor to Whole Foods (aka "Whole Paycheck") hasn't stared in slack-jawed wonder at bluefoot mushrooms imported from Europe ($39.99 per pound), off-season organic grapefruit from Texas ($2.49 per softball-size fruit), organic almond butter ($14.99 a pound) or pine nuts ($13.99 a pound)?

In a world of $1 double cheeseburgers, it's no wonder that many people suspect that a vegetarian diet is more expensive than one that includes meat.

But that's generally not true. And though it's difficult to tally the savings of illnesses or diseases avoided with a plant-based diet, the financial worth of good health is unquestionable.

Vegetarianism could extend your life by several years, as well as lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia. It's better for the planet, reducing water usage and global-warming gases. And it certainly improves the health of the cow or pig you would have devoured.

The cost depends largely on what course of vegetarianism you choose to follow:

Many people keep a diet that's known as mostly vegetarian -- a typical American diet minus the red meat. Vegetarians drop poultry and seafood.
A lacto-vegetarian eats dairy products.
An ovo-vegetarian eats eggs.
A pescetarian eats fish.
A vegan eats no animal products at all.
A fruitarian eats only fruit.

Basics are easy on the wallet
Most of the staples of a vegetarian diet are cheap. In fact, most of the world's people eat a mostly vegetarian diet made up of inexpensive commodities such as beans, rice and corn.

If you drop red meat, poultry and fish from your diet, you'll find plant proteins cheaper than the equivalent amount of animal protein. The cheapest cuts of beef, such as ground round, average $3 per pound in U.S. cities (lean and extra lean); boneless chicken breasts cost $3.40 a pound; and canned tuna is about $2 per pound.

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http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Save...aveMoney.aspx?vv=450

I am not even going to read this article.... Fruits and vegetables are more expensive than mets... There is no way that it is cheaper to be a vegetarian... I have tried it.

Why not read the article? I have had a vegetarian diet for over ten years. fruits, veggies, rice and beans are much cheaper than meat. Where were you shopping? What were you buying?

The article is slanted.

I am not a full fledged vegetarian these days-- I eat chicken fish and turkey--but Whole Foods is NOT the only plae that sells organic and vegetarian foods.

But when I was a vegetarian--I used to comparison shop.

I am not pushing for folks to be vegetarians--but this guy needs a little educating on shopping for food.

If you think short-term, including inflation, no. Long-term you fair (usage) better price wise.

quote:

The article is slanted.

I am not a full fledged vegetarian these days-- I eat chicken fish and turkey--but Whole Foods is NOT the only plae that sells organic and vegetarian foods.

But when I was a vegetarian--I used to comparison shop.

I am not pushing for folks to be vegetarians--but this guy needs a little educating on shopping for food.

Tell em about "Trader Joes" and when shopping at Whole Foods its very inexpensive when purchasing the store brand of "365" products and other options include your Local Farmers Market and/or your Local Food Co-op...

Of course the article was slanted...