4 Ways Going Meatless Will Save You Time and Money

Self Magazine

by Sarah-Jane Bedwell; additional reporting by Alexis Joseph



photo: Devon Jarvis
photo: Devon Jarvis

Guys, let's face the music: Meat isn't cheap! Going meatless (even just once per week) can help cut down those long grocery trips, slash your dinner prep time way down and perk up your pocket book. Wrangle your cash back in with these hot tips.

* Keep your pantry stocked. One of the best things about going meatless is that you can often create a meal based on what you already have. Some of my must-haves? Canned beans and lentils, diced tomatoes, healthy sauces, and whole-grains brown rice and quinoa for meals in minutes. You'd be amazed at how fast a can of chickpeas can transform into an impressive veggie curry.

* Buy in bulk. This is one of the biggest money-saving tricks out there. Try hitting up the bulk bins at your grocery store for your favorite nuts, seeds, grains, beans and dried fruit. Since they're priced by weight, you get way more bang for your buck. Another perk? You're using way less packaging. How green of you!

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* Eat breakfast for dinner. Eggs are crazy cheap and quite filling from all the protein, plus your family will appreciate this personalized treat. Make 'em chock full of veggies like sautéed onions, spinach, tomatoes and assorted cheeses plus some fresh fruit on the side to round it out. Plus, check how many cals your omelet will add up to.

* Take on tofu. Tofu is not only packed with protein and cancer-fighting antioxidants, but it's also much cheaper than chicken, steak or any other commonly purchased dinner meat. Specifically, a pound of tofu will feed the whole family for less than two dollars -- amazing, right? Marinate it with your favorite sauce or dressing, cube it, and then broil for five minutes on each side for extra crispiness. Toss it into salad, stir fry or simply over quinoa for a complete meal.

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