Global review finds whole-food plant-based diets generally cost less than meat-based diets

A new narrative review examining global evidence from 2000 to 2025, Cost and affordability of plant-based diets: global evidence from 2000 to 2025 published in Academia Nutrition and Dietetics, has concluded that whole-food plant-based diets are generally less expensive than conventional omnivorous diets, although affordability varies significantly by income level and reliance on processed alternatives.

• A 2026 review published in Academia Nutrition and Dietetics analyzed global evidence from 2000–2025 on the cost of plant-based diets.

• Whole-food plant-based diets were generally associated with lower food expenditures than omnivorous diets across most middle- and high-income contexts.

• Affordability varied by income level and diet composition, with processed plant-based alternatives often increasing costs in high-income countries.

The review, authored by David Goldman and Matthew Nagra and published February 4, 2026, synthesized findings from randomized controlled trials, observational studies, economic modeling analyses, and consumer spending data.

The authors focused specifically on the monetary costs of plant-based diets relative to omnivorous patterns, rather than adjudicating health outcomes.

Across controlled trials and real-world observational studies, evidence consistently indicated that whole-food plant-based diets − centered on legumes, grains, fruits, and vegetables − were associated with equal or lower daily food expenditures.

A randomized controlled trial by Kahleova et al. (2023) found that participants adopting a low-fat vegan diet reduced daily food costs by approximately 16%, with a treatment effect of − US$0.90 per day. Campbell et al. (2024) reported larger differences, with a whole-food plant-based diet costing US$9.78 per day compared with US$15.72 for a baseline omnivorous diet, a mean difference of US$5.94 per day.

Observational data reinforced these findings. In a US survey of more than 24,000 respondents, vegetarians reported spending US$19.28 less per week on food than meat-eaters, with adjusted differences of US$11.11 after controlling for demographic variables.

European data showed similar patterns. In Portugal, vegan consumers reported lower weekly food expenditures than omnivores for both at-home and away-from-home consumption. In the UK, a London university food service analysis found plant-based versions of four popular meals averaged GBP 1.49, compared with GBP 2.31 for meat-based versions.

Cost savings were largely attributed to eliminating expensive animal products, particularly meat, poultry, and fish. The authors noted that savings from removing animal products often exceeded any increased spending on fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

However, the review emphasized a critical distinction between whole-food plant-based diets and those reliant on processed specialty products such as plant-based meats and cheeses.

A New Zealand case study found that a whole-food vegan meal plan cost NZD 17.04, compared with NZD 32.19 for a specialty vegan meal plan dependent on processed alternatives. In some high-income country models, plant-based diets that incorporated large quantities of specialty products were found to be more expensive than omnivorous diets.

Geographic and income-level differences also shaped affordability outcomes.

In middle-income countries where baseline diets include high levels of animal products, economic modeling frequently projected substantial cost reductions when shifting toward plant-based patterns. A Mexican modeling study found that adherence to the EAT-Lancet reference diet reduced costs by 40% compared with current dietary patterns.

In contrast, global modeling by Hirvonen et al. (2020) estimated that the EAT-Lancet diet carried a median global cost of US$2.84 per day (2011 US$), exceeding total household income for approximately 1.58 billion people, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

In low-income countries, even nutritionally adequate plant-based diets may remain unaffordable due to extremely constrained food budgets.

The review also highlighted what it described as a 'cost perception paradox'. Despite empirical evidence suggesting affordability, surveys consistently show that many consumers − particularly in high-income countries − perceive plant-based diets as expensive.

The authors attributed this disconnect to several factors, including the high visibility and marketing of premium plant-based specialty products, cultural associations of meat with value, and broader food price volatility.

Research cited in the review suggested that price interventions could significantly influence dietary behavior. A German study found that reducing prices for plant-based products ranked among the most promising determinants for dietary change, second only to physician recommendations.

The authors concluded that policy responses should emphasize the affordability of whole-food plant-based diets while distinguishing them from higher-cost processed alternatives. They suggested that targeted public education, pricing strategies, and improved availability of affordable plant-based staples could help close the perception gap.

While cost advantages appear strongest for whole-food plant-based diets in middle-income countries and many high-income contexts, the review cautioned that affordability challenges persist in the world’s poorest regions, underscoring the importance of context-specific policy design.