Combat the cost of living
Vegans spend less on food
Following the call from international organisations and scientists for a drastic change in dietary habits, to protect both public health and the environment, plant-based diets have been promoted worldwide. Despite this, some still claim it costs more to be vegan.
This study looked at the diets of over 1,000 people, representative of the population in Portugal, and found that plant-based consumers not only don’t spend more but spend less than any consumer assessed. These results match those of an earlier US study that also found vegans spend less on food than meat-eaters.
Pais DF, Marques AC and Fuinhas JA. 2022. The cost of healthier and more sustainable food choices: Do plant-based consumers spend more on food? Agricultural and Food Economics. 10 (1) 18.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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