Vegetarian Diet

Lesson 4: Staying Motivated

Economy

Depending on your choices, you may find that, as you consume more plant origin foods, your grocery bill goes down. These foods tend to provide more usable nutrition per dollar and can be quite filling and satisfying. Sugar and fats have a way of creating cravings so that you keep reaching for more and more, and one more.

Try comparing the price of a serving of beans and rice to a pork chop or the price of a salad and juice to a pizza and soda. Compare the price of an apple to a candy bar, or a banana to a hot fudge sundae. Compare the price of a homemade salad to a serving of roast. Compare the price of a meal of blackeyed peas, brown rice, buttered whole wheat bread, *Easy Sweet Potatoes, and spinach to a steak dinner. Some soy products appear expensive but you may find that, in reality, they go further.

Conventional grocery stores are carrying more and more variety in fruits, vegetables, and meat substitutes, which tends to lower prices from what they were years ago. Buying in season is often more economical. Fruit juice concentrate is usually cheaper than bottled. Dried legumes are usually cheaper than canned.

Local farmers’ markets are also an option and often provide fresher produce without the added costs of preservation and transport.

*Easy Sweet Potatoes

1 15 oz can of sweet potatoes (yams), drained

1 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp margarine (I use Smart Balance)

2 oz vanilla soymilk

½ cup chopped pecans

Drain sweet potatoes and empty into a saucepan over medium heat. Mash potatoes while adding honey, Smart Balance, and pecans. Stir, allowing the mixture to scorch ever so slightly. Then blend in soymilk and serve.

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