Rice and wheat products are cheaper per calorie, but lack the protein.
So yeah, it's just cheaper to be a vegetarian, even with massive beef subsidiaries. But veggie patties are still more expensive because of processing and they are smaller batches.
To add to this as a vegan of 10+ years. To supplement the lack of protein, I use pea based protein powder for a meal. And add hemp seeds for other meals/snacks during the day.
We occasionally get the processed grounds/meat substitutes only when they are on sale. Which would be 2lbs for $6 for a gardien/beyond/impossible alternative to animal flesh in pounds.
I've always had issues with lentils but my diet is very Midwest American lol. The only time I've had good lentils is when they're masked as much as possible in heavily spiced curries or similar.
Aren't they already used in a bunch of processed foods as filler?
My mom would make lentil stew with sausage and I always ate the sausage and left the lentils. Was also forced to stay at the table until bed time because I refused to eat them. I need meat with my legumes that is if I am not working because I have a severe carb intolerance so anything from oats, to brown rice to beans and tubers trigger my IBS and make me confused. The only fix was 3 months of straight keto where I felt amazing, was exercising and looked great but… my boyfriend learned how to make pizza thw right way and nothing will ever replace the dough on pizza so once a week I have that, fast the rest and when I eat it's steak or chicken or shrimp or fish with spinach or something. I need to work so I can't just have a bean burrito or a bowl of rice or ill end up fired for spending too much time in the toilet or getting someone killed because I can't think.
Must be nice to have that kind of privilege to eat what you want though!
Oh yeah I 100% spend less on food as a vegetarian, because black beans/lentils are such wonderful cheap sources of protein.
But sometimes I want like the premade like meat crumbles or burgers, and those cost more usually.
But do you spend less because you're vegetarian, or because you don't have options for spending money at fast food / restaurants?
I mean a pound of beef costs $4.
A pound of raw lentils like a $1.
Lentils are more calorie dense.
Lentils are more protein dense.
Black beans are in similar camp.
Rice and wheat products are cheaper per calorie, but lack the protein.
So yeah, it's just cheaper to be a vegetarian, even with massive beef subsidiaries. But veggie patties are still more expensive because of processing and they are smaller batches.
To add to this as a vegan of 10+ years. To supplement the lack of protein, I use pea based protein powder for a meal. And add hemp seeds for other meals/snacks during the day.
We occasionally get the processed grounds/meat substitutes only when they are on sale. Which would be 2lbs for $6 for a gardien/beyond/impossible alternative to animal flesh in pounds.
Unfortunately the difference between eating meat or lentils is having to eat lentils lol.
Lol, lentils are freaking bomb. Its a win win for me, I can eat bomb ass lentils, and save money.
I've always had issues with lentils but my diet is very Midwest American lol. The only time I've had good lentils is when they're masked as much as possible in heavily spiced curries or similar.
Aren't they already used in a bunch of processed foods as filler?
My mom would make lentil stew with sausage and I always ate the sausage and left the lentils. Was also forced to stay at the table until bed time because I refused to eat them. I need meat with my legumes that is if I am not working because I have a severe carb intolerance so anything from oats, to brown rice to beans and tubers trigger my IBS and make me confused. The only fix was 3 months of straight keto where I felt amazing, was exercising and looked great but… my boyfriend learned how to make pizza thw right way and nothing will ever replace the dough on pizza so once a week I have that, fast the rest and when I eat it's steak or chicken or shrimp or fish with spinach or something. I need to work so I can't just have a bean burrito or a bowl of rice or ill end up fired for spending too much time in the toilet or getting someone killed because I can't think.
Must be nice to have that kind of privilege to eat what you want though!
… okay you got me there.
But the veggie tech to make meat likes is getting better, so hopefully soon!