Not only can a vegan lifestyle be good for your body – a plant-based diet can also be good for your wallet if you make smart food choices. Here are a few tips from Wise Bread to help you on the way to a cheaper vegan lifestyle:

1. Select Seeds: nuts are a good way to get protein while following a vegan diet, but you can also opt for seeds like pumpkin, flax, sesame and sunflower seeds. You can use seeds, like sunflower seed kernels to make spreads, seed butter, gluten-free baked goods and more as well.
2. Stock Up on Beans and Legumes: these pack a “nutritional punch.” Use lentils (which are super cheap) to make things like pilafs, soups and vegan meatloaf. You could also try this easy split pea soup.
3. Try Toppings: toppings are an easy way to jazz up a meal on the cheap:
   

   For instance, chopped scallions are one of my favorite soup garnishes for simple broths, tomato bisques, and old-fashioned potato soup. They dress things up, are nutritious, and can be prepared relatively quickly with a chef’s knife and cutting board. Another option for enhancing a meal affordably is to use creative salad add-ins. Bacos – believe it or not – are actually vegan. I love to use them on top of salads, on pizzas and even in tortilla wraps. Homemade croutons are another one of my favorite salad ingredients.

Check out more great ideas for vegans over at Wise Bread’s Eating Vegan on the Cheap.