Veganism: Healthy but Expensive?

By Kimberley Rino-Lightfoot

Veganism is currently on the rise, according to the ‘EAT’ organisation, which is trying to encourage people to drop the ‘over-consumption’ of protein, especially meat.

Following various processed vegan meat substitutes being produced around the globe such as ‘QUORN’, a growing number of people are altering to the meat-free life-style.

But could veganism be described as a luxurious way of living rather than frugal?

Restaurants seem to make veganism appear pricey, but that’s only because they can and here’s why.

Whether we like it or not, meat, fish and other non-vegan food have surrounded us for many years and most of us have grown up eating them, so of course, it is more likely for restaurants to sell them.

For instance, when a restaurant sells a plant-based burger, they allow themselves to charge more as it is not an obvious choice.

All that is changing, though and, thank you to social media for promoting it, veganism is the ‘new trend’.

From seeing remarkable pictures on Instagram promoting healthy diets incorporating colourful, exquisite and appealing pictures, we are starting to get a different perspective.

So, does that mean because it’s getting popular the prices at restaurants will go down? Not quite, according to vegan barista on Holloway Road, Daniel Hugues.

‘The thing is, restaurants will use this ‘trend’ to make profit from it. I don’t think they’ll put their price down – who would to be honest?

‘Though, becoming vegan is not as expensive as we think. It is definitely more time consuming in terms of cooking’, said Hughes from Cookies and Cream coffeehouse.

‘But it is a good way for students to learn how to cook and save money because, let’s think about ready meals, each would cost at least a fiver if you’re in London – however with a fiver, I could definitely make you a healthy meal that can be saved for next day lunch and here’s more money saved instead of getting something from the university canteen.’

Next time you have an hour during the evening why not cook yourself that HEALTHY meat-free burger you’ve always seen advertised and wanted to try. Surprise yourself with your inner cooking skills and feel good about eating something plant-based.