You probably have some favorite foods you shop for regularly. But with grocery prices rising, you might want to consider swapping out pricey mainstays with alternatives.
Many older adults have already made adjustments. A May 2026 CNN poll found that 56 percent of adults ages 50 to 64, and 50 percent of those 65 and older, have changed the groceries they buy to stay within their budget
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Replacing longtime staples with more wallet-friendly choices might be just what the dietitian ordered
“As we get older, our needs change,” says Kristin Kirkpatrick, a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine. “We have to look at getting the most for our dollar, but also how to get the most nutritional bang for the buck. Some of the most nutrient-dense foods are some of the most affordable.”
Here are six food swaps that can stretch your grocery dollars while keeping meals enjoyable and nutritious
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1. Swap beef for poultry
Ground beef prices rose 12.4 percent from June 2025 to June 2026, according to the federal government’s Consumer Price Index (CPI). ”If someone is on a budget, red meat is usually not on the menu,” Kirkpatrick says
Older adults who stop eating red meat need to ensure they’re getting enough protein to maintain muscle mass. Fortunately, red meat isn’t the only option.
“Poultry has the same high-quality protein as beef and has less saturated fat,” says Alice Lichtenstein, a professor of nutrition science at Tufts University in Boston. It’s also a lot cheaper: The average price per pound of chicken breast is less than one-third the average price per pound of steak, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Tip: If you’re reluctant to give up red meat, Kirkpatrick recommends buying frozen rather than fresh to save money. For example, as of early July, a package of eight frozen Kroger ground beef patties costs $10, versus $12 for a package of eight fresh beef patties.
