Is veganism only for wealthy and privileged people?
Summary
No. While commercial vegan products can be expensive in some markets, plant-based diets built on staples like beans, lentils, rice, and vegetables are among the cheapest ways to eat worldwide. Many traditional diets in lower-income communities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America have been predominantly plant-based for centuries.
Evidence Summary
The idea that veganism is inherently a privilege of the wealthy misunderstands both the global history of plant-based eating and the economics of food. Across the world, the most affordable dietary staples are plant-based: rice, beans, lentils, potatoes, bread, maize, cassava, and seasonal vegetables. These foods form the backbone of diets in communities across the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America — not as a lifestyle choice, but because they are the most