Food prices are soaring, and that's changed how we eat

[Peter1469]

The big change for me was from beef to chicken. Considering that between lunch and dinner I am eating a pound a day, it is still expensive, just a lot less than beef.

Food prices are soaring, and that's changed how we eat

Lisa Altman used to take pride in being able to eat what she wanted without worrying much about the cost.



When she was growing up, seconds weren't served and side dishes were rare. "My mom had a budget every week, and she stuck to it," she said. "As I got older and became more financially independent, having a full pantry and being able to eat what I wanted was a sign of success for me," she added.


"It was very humbling to have to go from that situation to where we're at right now."

Altman and her wife live in Austin, Texas with their three children. Recently, they've been relying mostly on one income. Their reduced earnings, coupled with inflation, have dealt a blow to their finances.

And that has changed, radically, the way they eat. Altman is not alone in making big changes.

We asked CNN readers how inflation has impacted their eating habits, and many mentioned dining out less often, buying less meat and giving up splurges. Some said they are very worried about the future.


Food prices have spiked 11.4% over the past year, the largest annual increase since May 1979, according to data released in mid-September by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Grocery prices jumped 13.5% and restaurant menu prices increased 8% in that period.

[countryboy]

The big change for me was from beef to chicken. Considering that between lunch and dinner I am eating a pound a day, it is still expensive, just a lot less than beef.

Food prices are soaring, and that's changed how we eat

Lisa Altman used to take pride in being able to eat what she wanted without worrying much about the cost.



When she was growing up, seconds weren't served and side dishes were rare. "My mom had a budget every week, and she stuck to it," she said. "As I got older and became more financially independent, having a full pantry and being able to eat what I wanted was a sign of success for me," she added.


"It was very humbling to have to go from that situation to where we're at right now."

Altman and her wife live in Austin, Texas with their three children. Recently, they've been relying mostly on one income. Their reduced earnings, coupled with inflation, have dealt a blow to their finances.

And that has changed, radically, the way they eat. Altman is not alone in making big changes.

We asked CNN readers how inflation has impacted their eating habits, and many mentioned dining out less often, buying less meat and giving up splurges. Some said they are very worried about the future.


Food prices have spiked 11.4% over the past year, the largest annual increase since May 1979, according to data released in mid-September by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Grocery prices jumped 13.5% and restaurant menu prices increased 8% in that period.

We haven't changed our meat eating habits much, other than opting for less expensive beef cuts. We also eat a fair amount of chicken, but certainly not a pound a day.

[Peter1469]

We haven't changed our meat eating habits much, other than opting for less expensive beef cuts. We also eat a fair amount of chicken, but certainly not a pound a day.

I do it for the protein. I am aiming for 165 grams a day of it.

[countryboy]

I do it for the protein. I am aiming for 165 grams a day of it.

That's what I figured. It certainly is a convenient source of protein. Do you mix it up quite a bit, or do you just do standard poached or boiled chicken meal prep?

[Collateral Damage]

The big change for me was from beef to chicken. Considering that between lunch and dinner I am eating a pound a day, it is still expensive, just a lot less than beef.

Food prices are soaring, and that's changed how we eat

Lisa Altman used to take pride in being able to eat what she wanted without worrying much about the cost.



When she was growing up, seconds weren't served and side dishes were rare. "My mom had a budget every week, and she stuck to it," she said. "As I got older and became more financially independent, having a full pantry and being able to eat what I wanted was a sign of success for me," she added.


"It was very humbling to have to go from that situation to where we're at right now."

Altman and her wife live in Austin, Texas with their three children. Recently, they've been relying mostly on one income. Their reduced earnings, coupled with inflation, have dealt a blow to their finances.

And that has changed, radically, the way they eat. Altman is not alone in making big changes.

We asked CNN readers how inflation has impacted their eating habits, and many mentioned dining out less often, buying less meat and giving up splurges. Some said they are very worried about the future.


Food prices have spiked 11.4% over the past year, the largest annual increase since May 1979, according to data released in mid-September by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Grocery prices jumped 13.5% and restaurant menu prices increased 8% in that period.

We bought half a cow, and split that with the SIL when it was butchered. $500 for about 200 pounds of various cuts of beef is a decent price. And yes, we knew the farmer who raised the beef.

We eat beef 3-4 times a week, and usually chicken, pork or fish/shrimp the other days. Lots of fresh veggies, though that season is starting to draw to a close.

It's all the other stuff, paper goods, dairy, bread, coffee (yes, that is a food group) that has escalated beyond comprehension. Except eggs, those come from a neighbor weekly.

[Peter1469]

That's what I figured. It certainly is a convenient source of protein. Do you mix it up quite a bit, or do you just do standard poached or boiled chicken meal prep?

For lunch sandwiches I use a Hamilton Beach version of the George Foreman grill and make 6 4 oz breasts that I use for lunch sandwiches during the week. 4 nights a week for dinner I will have about 12 oz chicken breast baked at 375 for 30 minutes with garlic and spice of choice. With that I will either have rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or pasta. And a smallish side salad.

[Peter1469]

We bought half a cow, and split that with the SIL when it was butchered. $500 for about 200 pounds of various cuts of beef is a decent price. And yes, we knew the farmer who raised the beef.

We eat beef 3-4 times a week, and usually chicken, pork or fish/shrimp the other days. Lots of fresh veggies, though that season is starting to draw to a close.

It's all the other stuff, paper goods, dairy, bread, coffee (yes, that is a food group) that has escalated beyond comprehension. Except eggs, those come from a neighbor weekly.

If I had a house and the space for a second freezer I would do that.

[Just AnotherPerson]

I haven't changed my habits much. The only thing I notice is that I buy a little less at a time. I live about an hour drive from town so normally I stock up and buy a little more than I can eat when it comes to vegetables, and I always end up throwing some out. But I guess I'm wasting less. My diet is pretty simple, my staple is beans, I have enough of that on hand. The only thing I really buy from the store are fruit, vegetables, meat (for loved one), eggs, and I've taken a liking to tossing some shrimp in fried vegetables, so I have a tiny amount of that from time to time.

[Peter1469]

I haven't changed my habits much. The only thing I notice is that I buy a little less at a time. I live about an hour drive from town so normally I stock up and buy a little more than I can eat when it comes to vegetables, and I always end up throwing some out. But I guess I'm wasting less. My diet is pretty simple, my staple is beans, I have enough of that on hand. The only thing I really buy from the store are fruit, vegetables, meat (for loved one), eggs, and I've taken a liking to tossing some shrimp in fried vegetables, so I have a tiny amount of that from time to time.

To save costs I thought of home.

I swapped out two nights of the week for the New Orleans classic red beans and rice. Although I don't use the sausage. Two reasons: hard to find real sausage here, and the calories are off the hook. But if I could get the Andouille from back home, I would make it work. I load it up with bell peppers, opinion and celery. The holy trinity in southern cooking.

[Hoosier8]

To save costs I thought of home.

I swapped out two nights of the week for the New Orleans classic red beans and rice. Although I don't use the sausage. Two reasons: hard to find real sausage here, and the calories are off the hook. But if I could get the Andouille from back home, I would make it work. I load it up with bell peppers, opinion and celery. The holy trinity in southern cooking.

Never eat opinion! LOL, I make a number of bean dishes but my favorites are red beans and rice and charro beans.