Most U.S. families are cutting back on meat and seafood as grocery prices climb

A new MarketBeat survey of 3,042 U.S. households found that 62% have reduced the amount or type of meat, seafood or dairy they buy over the past year because of rising grocery prices. The results show shoppers are trading down, serving smaller portions and leaning on cheaper proteins as food inflation reshapes weekly budgets.

Why it matters: - Rising grocery prices are pushing more families to treat meat, seafood and dairy as flexible spending instead of staples. - The shift is changing how households budget, what they cook and, in some cases, how much adults eat so children can have more. - The findings point to a broader consumer squeeze that could affect demand for higher-priced proteins and related grocery sales.

What happened: - MarketBeat commissioned a survey of 3,042 U.S. households to measure how rising grocery costs are affecting protein purchases and eating habits. - Sixty-two percent of households said they lowered the amount or type of meat, seafood or dairy they purchase over the past 12 months. - The survey found that households are increasingly switching to plant-based sources, cheaper alternatives or smaller portions.

The details: - Arkansas had the highest share of households cutting back on meat, seafood and dairy at 82%. - Maine followed at 80%, and Oregon recorded 77%. - Alaska and Montana were tied at 75%. - Kentucky, Nebraska and Oklahoma each came in at 73%. - West Virginia reported 72%, California 71% and Texas 70%. - New Hampshire and North Dakota each reported 22%, the lowest level in the survey. - Hawaii recorded 33%, Idaho 40% and Delaware 43%. - Beef was the most commonly reduced protein, cited by 43% of respondents. - Fish or seafood was next at 10%. - Chicken or turkey and pork were each named by 8% of respondents. - Dairy was named by 7%. - Forty-seven percent of respondents said their household replaced beef with a vegetarian protein such as beans or lentils because of price increases. - Fifty-one percent said their household now serves a meal without meat or fish at least twice a week to save money. - That group includes 10% who do so every day, 13% who do so four to six times per week and 28% who do so two or three times per week. - Another 16% said they serve a meat-free or fish-free meal once a week, and 11% do so less frequently. - Twenty-two percent said they never serve a meal without meat or fish specifically for financial reasons. - Fifty-eight percent said they had personally eaten a smaller portion or skipped a protein-rich food so a child or another household member could have more. - Eggs were the most common budget fallback, named by 24% of respondents. - Processed meats such as hot dogs or deli meat followed at 13%. - Beans were selected by 12%. - Canned tuna or other canned fish was named by 9%. - Peanut butter came in at 8%, dairy products at 4%, protein powder at 3% and lentils at 2%. - Another 24% said their household did not have a regular budget fallback. - Seventy percent said they decide what protein to buy mainly based on what is discounted that week. - Sixty-seven percent said rising prices have made meat, seafood and dairy feel more like a luxury than a basic grocery item.

Between the lines: - The survey suggests households are not abandoning animal protein altogether, but they are becoming more selective about which proteins stay in the cart. - Beef appears to be taking the biggest hit because it is one of the more expensive weekly purchases. - The results also show inflation is changing food behavior inside the household, not just at the store shelf. - Some families are using promotions to preserve variety, but that makes meal planning more dependent on volatile weekly discounts.

What's next: - If grocery inflation stays elevated, households are likely to keep trading down to cheaper proteins and more meatless meals. - Retailers and brands may face more pressure on premium meat and seafood purchases as shoppers keep prioritizing price over preference. - The survey suggests budget-driven protein choices could remain a routine part of household grocery planning rather than a temporary adjustment.

The bottom line: - For many U.S. families, meat and seafood are no longer default purchases. They are becoming items people buy only when the weekly budget allows.