Most transitioning and new vegans seem to have the hardest time shopping for food. The enigma that surrounds going to a grocery store and trying to figure out what food products one needs to make vegan meals, seems to truly confuse even the greatest mind. Another issue for many transitioning and new vegans is how expensive the food is.

Shopping for vegan groceries is not as hard as it seems. The following tips should help any vegan seeking ways to shop smart and do it right.

• The first thing you want to do is make sure that you have budgeted, planned your meals, inventoried your kitchen (pantry and refrigerator), and create a shopping list. A good meal plan is the best way for transitioning and new vegans to really learn how to shop. Once you get used to it then you will be able to actually go into a grocery store without a list. However, I don’t suggest that you always do that. A shopping list is key!
• Once you have your shopping list, you will want to consider which stores in the area will best serve your needs. You may find that you have drive out a ways to actually get the products you need. That is ok because you want to make sure you get the best quality for your buck. You want to be able to go to stores that will fit your budget, have the food you need, and will provide good quality products.
• You will also want to check your coupons. If you think there are no coupons available for vegans you are wrong. There are plenty of places like Mambo Sprouts that not only offers e-coupons but also has a monthly mailer that includes a coupon book with great money-saving coupons. You can also try some of the actual sites for your favorite products. In my search I found coupons for Turtle Mountain dairy free products. They make some great ice cream!
• Once you get all of your shopping necessities together you are ready for the market. A rule of thumb for me is to go into the grocery store with health and budget on my mind. That means that I leave a lot of the prepackaged vegan foods alone because they are expensive and add up fast. That does not mean I don’t buy it, I just don’t go over board because they are high. I usually get Boca Chicken Patties, Began Burgers and the Crumbles. I also might pick up a package of the Morning Star hot dogs or the chicken pieces. Always remember, though, to shop with health and budget on your mind. Leave convenience out the window. You will learn how to make fresh foods convenient…trust me.
• You can also shop online. There are savings online as well and in some cases it is cheaper than going to the grocery store. Places like Dixie Dinner’s Club and The Vegan Family Living Health Nook offer great tasting vegan products at reasonable prices.

Vegan shopping can be as simple or as hard as you make it. All it takes is a little ingenuity and the right resources for your shopping experience to be a beneficial one.

For more vegan shopping tips listen to the Vegan Family Living Podcast Show #11

Look for a free reports all about Vegan Shopping and Meal Planning coming soon!

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