Is a raw food diet more expensive?

Many people ask me if eating more home-made, raw food is more expensive.

The honest answer is maybe a bit, but let me explain…

If you compare your grocery list to that of someone who buys a fair share of animal meat products like chicken, turkey, beef, some processed products, dairy products and soft drinks, etc, that gets really expensive, really fast!

We all know that grocery costs are increasing.

I find that people who already cook their own dishes anyway (as opposed to a lot of cheaper, processed food) than you will barely notice a difference.

For those who are just learning to cook more, than yes, you may indeed notice a price increase, however, over time, you will find yourself satisfied on more simple dishes that require fewer ingredients.

When people first start eating and making more raw dishes, there is a tendency to make richer, denser, more satisfying meals heavy in nuts and oils, which is perfectly fine for a transition to 50% or 70% (or more) raw.

Once you get a bit further down the path, however, you’ll notice that you feel full on smaller, simpler meals (which also cuts down your prep time too).

Above all, the biggest draw for me, is that fresh, whole foods can and will (most likely) increase your lifespan, so you can either pay a bit more now or you can choose to pay more in the end with chronic illness, depression, medications and more (ultimately death).

Despite this, we all want to save a little money and be money-savvy.

One of the easiest ways to save money this spring is to explore your local farmer’s market (organic stands preferred).

A farmer’s market is a great alternative for a few key reasons, one of the biggest pulls (for me) being that fresh vegetables and fruit are at their peak of nutrients when just picked. A bunch of kale picked this morning is going to be buzzing with life when you eat it on your plate tonight. Feel the divinity of eating a plate of freshly picked kale gently massed with some salt, oil and lemon juice. A bunch of kale driven from California, while still good, will not have as much vitality. In the winter, we do what we have to do but in the warmer months be sure to explore your farmers market for this exact reason.

Some other amazing reasons to consider a farmer’s market are that they are often cheaper (or on-par at most) with grocery stores, however, your money is going to the local farmer and local economy.

Secondly, many places in Ottawa, especially more centrally have farmer’s market within biking or walking distance, so you can make this an adventure for your family or friends (and save gas money).

As well, we lighten our carbon footprint by buying local and not burning precious gas to transport our vegetables to our supermarkets. Farmer’s markets also add to our sense of community and have wonderful activities for children or fresh snacks they can enjoy.

Do you already use your farmer’s market? Can you think of any other reasons to enjoy your local farmer’s market? Let me know by commenting below.