The Student Vegan: Being Vegan On A Budget

For most students, the vegan lifestyle is a terrifying thought.

No 3AM chicken shop stop, no pizza deals, no pre-lecture lattes and no hangover fry up. In fact, the student lifestyle and culture can make it very difficult to be vegan.

The other worrying thought that flashes in your mind is the cost. Being vegan is expensive… isn’t it? Wrong! While being vegan can be costly, there are plenty of ways to ace an all-vegan diet on a budget. Here are some of them.

What is veganism?

“Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.”

• The Vegan Society

Canned cupboard essentials

Can’t afford fresh veg all the time? Tins are your friend. Chickpeas, tomatoes, beans of all kinds and sweetcorn – if it can be eaten, there’s a tinned version of it.

Tinned food is cheap, convenient and boasts a long shelf life. Soak vegetables in water overnight or toss them straight into the pan for delicious curries, stews and ratatouille. Use the chickpeas to make hummus, add washed beans straight into a salad or even eat with toast! Wait – baked beans are vegan, right?

Dairy alternatives

Today there are so many more dairy alternatives. Replace milk with soya, rice, coconut, cashew or hazelnut – and a lot of these have been made into dairy-free butters, spreads and some cheese.

Soya, nut and coconut milks are great in tea, coffee or cooking. Unfortunately, although these are the cheapest dairy free alternative, they aren’t as cheap as standard cows milk. Opt for the UHT/ambient version of milk (the one you can find down an supermarket aisle not fridge). These last longer and can often be bought in bulk.

Finally, if you’re really craving cheese, check out Peta’s Ultimate Guide to Vegan Cheese.

Fruit and vegetables

… also known as your new best friends!

If you’re a super savvy student, you’ll already know that shopping the reduced section is the best place to find a food bargain. Fruit and vegetables are no exception. Stock up and have a cooking session; smoothies, soups, ratatouille, veggie curry and pasta sauce are super-easy to cook up in big batches and freeze in single portions.

Alternatively, try buying the ‘wonky veg’ variety. Usually supermarket own-brand, these vegetables are those that haven’t conformed to society’s ideal template. Perhaps a little rough around the edges with a few extra lumps and bumps, but equally as tasty – and far cheaper!

Fake meats

Also known as a meat substitute, going vegan for the first time, you’re bound to have withdrawal symptoms from a bacon sarnie. Quorn and Stella McCartney are leading brands, but supermarkets have jumped on the band wagon offering more selection and lower price labels. The majority can be found down the frozen aisle – including vegan mince, diced chicken, bacon rashers, scampi and much more.

Tofu is a stereotypical vegetarian/vegan meat alternative. As bland and tricky as it can seem to cook, this protein-rich food can be absolutely delicious if done right. In fact, many meat substitutes are higher in protein and lower in fats and salts than the original non-vegan meat!

‘The Vegan Secret’?

Flavour – and lots of it. The trick to making great vegan meals is adding and experimenting with interesting taste sensations. Tofu and ‘fake’ meats need a whole load of seasoning, so at the very least get a shaker of mixed herbs and one of mixed spices, a pre-mixed flavour sachet and good old salt and pepper. Don’t be afraid to use them – the more flavour, the better!

While widely vilified for seeming too worthy, a vegan diet isn’t actually that restrictive. Most of the difficulty, in fact, comes from convenience foods with hidden cream and milk content. Remember: veganism is about adopting a healthier lifestyle, that betters yourself and the environment. It’s well worth the hassle of checking a label every now and then.

If you fancy giving veganism a try, why don’t you do it for a month first? If you’re up for the challenge, head to Veganuary.com for your free starter kit! If you’re simply wanting to introduce more vegan meals into your diet than check out these quick 30 recipes!

Rebecca Miller is a freelance multimedia journalist and graduate from Bournemouth University. You can check out her online portfolio here and find her on LinkedIn. 

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