Canadians eating less meat because of rising costs: survey

A survey by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity shows Canadians are making major dietary changes – such as eating less meat or purchasing less nutritious food items – to deal with expensive food costs.

A Winnipeg dietitian says these results are reflected in the province as consumers are adjusting to what’s available and what they can afford.

“Unfortunately a lot of Manitobans are cutting out meat and a lot of people are not replacing it with other protein sources and options that would be very nutritious and also save them some money and are much more affordable,” said dietitian Janine LaForte.

“I think a lot of people aren’t sure what to do with those, so they end up just purchasing pre-packaged, maybe some less nutrient-dense foods.”

RELATED:

• Competition Bureau to probe grocery sector as food prices soar
• Food prices to rise due to weak Canadian dollar: expert
• Critics accuse grocers of ‘greedflation’ as 2022 profits top five-year average

LaForte says there are more cost-effective healthy alternatives.

“Other plant-based protein options like pulses. So things like beans, lentils, chickpeas,” she said. “So I do things like when I’m making tacos, instead of buying two lbs. and cooking two lbs. of ground meat, I’ll do one lb. and then I’ll add in a can of beans so that I’m stretching that meat a little bit further.”

She says to avoid the risk of health implications that could follow major dietary changes, education is key.

“A lot of people just aren’t sure what to do with these foods,” she said. “We need some sort of education out there where people can learn how to actually feed themselves on a lower budget. But a lot of people could really benefit from learning how to cook pulses or what are some really simple and affordable meals that I can feed my family that are going to fill them up and that are going to give them some nutrients.”

WATCH: Is grocery inflation slowing down?