Plant-Based Eating Helps Reduce Grocery Costs According to New Study

From vegconomist.com 

A recent analysis by CouponBirds challenges the widespread belief that plant-based diets are more expensive than conventional eating habits. The study, which examined grocery costs for six common dietary preferences in the United States, found that vegetarian and vegan diets ranked among the most affordable options, with the average vegan shopper saving $34.24 per month compared to an unrestricted diet.

Data was collected in December 2024 and January 2025 across the top three grocery retailers in the US: Walmart, Kroger, and Target. Costco was excluded due to its wholesale model.

Researchers applied filters to products based on dietary requirements, focusing on vegan, halal, gluten-free, and other relevant categories. The data set was built by scraping prices from a wide range of grocery products, ensuring it reflected the purchasing habits of an average household, as outlined in a 2024 report by Drive Research.

© CouponBirds

Plant-based diets help reduce grocery costs

While plant-based diets are often perceived as expensive, the study suggests that vegan and vegetarian diets can actually lead to significant savings. A vegetarian diet was the most cost-effective, reducing grocery bills by $130.36 per month, while a vegan diet cut costs by $34.24 per month.

Many of these savings came from substituting animal-based proteins with plant-based alternatives. For example:

• Replacing crab legs ($14.18) with oyster mushrooms ($5.11) saved $9.07
• Replacing salmon ($10.54) with tofu ($4.23) saved $6.31
• Even plant-based ground beef ($7.47) was cheaper than conventional ground beef ($8.86)

While some specialty vegan products, such as vegan croissants ($12.99 vs. $5.38 for conventional croissants), carried a premium, the study noted that many plant-based staples like beans, grains, and vegetables remain some of the most affordable grocery items. Additionally, common snack foods, such as potato chips and barbecue sauces, are often vegan by default, making plant-based eating more accessible than many assume.

© CouponBirds

Dietary restrictions and higher grocery costs

In contrast, dietary restrictions based on food intolerances or religious guidelines led to increased costs. A gluten-free diet added $111.20 per month to grocery expenses, while a lactose-free diet resulted in an additional $46.72 per month. These price hikes were largely due to specialty processed foods like gluten-free breads and dairy-free alternatives.

The findings suggest that the idea of plant-based diets being inherently expensive is often based on selective comparisons rather than overall grocery spending. As vegan and vegetarian options continue to expand in mainstream retailers, increased competition and availability may further drive down prices, making plant-based eating an even more affordable choice in the future.

https://vegconomist.com/studies-and-numbers/plant-based-eating-helps-reduce-grocery-costs-according-to-new-study/