With grocery costs top of mind for many shoppers, a new survey shows that most Americans are missing a key opportunity to save money: plant-based eating.
According to a new poll from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Morning Consult, more than 60% of U.S. adults wrongly believe that a plant-based diet costs more than one that includes meat and dairy. The myth was especially common among baby boomers, two-thirds of whom said they believe plant-based eating is more expensive than the Standard American Diet.
But research tells a different story.
“Centering a plant-based diet on whole, minimally processed foods is one of the most effective ways to not only nourish your body, but also cut grocery costs,” said registered dietitian Xavier Toledo of the Physicians Committee.
In fact, a 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open found that a low-fat vegan diet reduced food costs by 19% — about $1.80 per day — compared with a diet that included meat, dairy and added fats. Savings came primarily from skipping pricey animal products:
$2.90/day saved on meat
$0.50/day saved on dairy
$0.50/day saved on added fats
Even after accounting for spending slightly more on vegetables, grains and plant-based alternatives, the vegan diet came out ahead.
Other research backs this up:
A 2021 Oxford University study found a vegan diet could cut food bills by up to one-third.
A 2022 study found plant-based consumers spent less on food than any other group.
Yet the survey, conducted in June 2025 with over 2,200 adults, revealed a perception gap: 77% said groceries are too expensive, and 70% said meat is their top grocery expense, but most still thought plant-based eating would cost more.
Toledo emphasizes small changes that can yield big savings: “Simple shifts — like buying produce in season, choosing frozen or canned when it’s more affordable, cooking in batches, and leaning on budget-friendly staples like potatoes, beans, and brown rice — can make a big difference,” he said.
And the benefits go beyond your wallet.
“A plant-based diet can support weight management and help prevent — and in some cases even reverse — lifestyle-related diseases like heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes,” Toledo said. “And it doesn’t hurt that plant-based eating can taste amazing, too!”
To show how accessible plant-based eating can be, the Physicians Committee shared sample recipes with per-serving costs of $1.05 to $1.75 — like a hearty tofu scramble, a three-bean chili and fiber-packed chickpea burgers. (All recipes are available at PCRM.org/Recipes.)
Bottom line? Eating more plants could be one of the simplest ways to improve your health — and your grocery bill.