Making the switch from fast food to plant-based eating can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you rely on convenience and affordability in your daily meals. But the good news is, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. With a few intentional swaps, some planning, and smart budgeting tools like cashback apps, you can ease into a plant-based lifestyle without giving up the ease of fast food or your favorite go-to meals.

One of the best ways to start is by taking a flexitarian approach. Instead of cutting out meat and dairy entirely overnight, begin by incorporating simple swaps into your current routine. Try ordering oat or almond milk in your coffee at Starbucks, which is a Fluz merchant, or replace a beef burrito with a veggie burrito at Chipotle, also available on Fluz. These changes are low-risk and help retrain your palate while still delivering satisfying flavors. Taco Bell also makes it easy to customize your order by removing meat and dairy—black beans, rice, salsa, and guacamole make for a satisfying and affordable meal that fits plant-based guidelines.

To make the transition manageable, take a gradual approach. Start with one or two plant-based meals per day and build from there. For breakfast, switch to oatmeal or whole grain toast with nut butter. For lunch, try a Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich from Panera Bread, minus the feta, or a salad bowl packed with legumes and grains. Dinner can be a Chipotle bowl with Sofritas, brown rice, black beans, fajita veggies, and guacamole. Over time, you’ll discover what ingredients and meals you enjoy most, which will make it easier to sustain the change.

A smart way to keep costs in check while trying new plant-based meals is by using cashback apps. Platforms like Fluzallow you to purchase gift cards to participating merchants and earn cashback instantly. Other apps such as Ibotta and Rakuten occasionally offer deals for food purchases, especially if you’re ordering through delivery services or linking loyalty accounts. While saving a few dollars here and there may seem small, these rewards can add up, especially during the early stages of trying new meals or frequenting new restaurants.

Here’s a sample weeklong plant-based meal plan using popular fast food chains to help illustrate how practical this lifestyle can be:

Monday: Start with a Starbucks oat milk latte and a plain bagel, grab a Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich (no cheese) from Panera for lunch, and end the day with a veggie burrito at Chipotle with Sofritas and guac.

Tuesday: Try oatmeal with almond milk and nuts at home, enjoy a veggie bowl at QDOBA for lunch, then make a plant-based burger at home using a Beyond Meat patty.

Wednesday: Have avocado toast and fruit for breakfast, a customized Taco Bell veggie burrito for lunch, and a grain bowl from Panera with tahini dressing for dinner.

Thursday: Begin with a Starbucks chickpea protein box, grab a black bean wrap from a local spot for lunch, and finish with a homemade lentil curry and rice.

Friday: Enjoy almond milk cold brew and a vegan breakfast sandwich at home, lunch at Shake Shack with the Veggie Shack, and a simple pasta with roasted veggies for dinner.

Saturday: Make a tofu scramble at home, eat out at a vegan-friendly restaurant, and snack on hummus and veggies throughout the day.

Sunday: Start slow with fruit and toast, go out for a grain bowl with edamame and quinoa, and end the week with a hearty black bean chili.

Each day includes plant-forward meals that can be sourced from fast casual restaurants or made at home with minimal effort. Prices for these meals range from $5 to $12 depending on the merchant, and using Fluz can help shave off a portion of that cost, especially if you’re dining at participating merchants like Chipotle, Panera Bread, Starbucks, or Shake Shack.

Transitioning to plant-based eating doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your diet overnight. By starting small, trying familiar foods in plant-based versions, and leveraging cashback apps to ease the financial side of trying new meals, you can create a routine that is both sustainable and enjoyable. With more fast food chains offering vegan and vegetarian-friendly options than ever before, it’s never been easier to eat plant-based on your own terms.