How Gen Z adults are cutting their food bill

Every time you do the big food shop, it always seems more expensive than it did just a few weeks ago. But instead of simply accepting it, many young adults are actively taking steps to cut their grocery bill.

In fact, research by Tuck shows that more than eight in ten (83%) Gen Z shoppers - people born between 1997 and 2012 - have changed how they shop because of higher food prices.

Shopping around

Nearly three in five (58%) young adults have either changed where they shop to save money or are shopping at multiple supermarkets.

Aldi was recently named as the cheapest supermarket overall by consumer group Which?, followed by Lidl and Asda.

So if you usually go to the same shop each week, it could be worth looking around and seeing if other ones offer better deals.

Meal planning

Almost half (48%) of Gen Z adults are trying to cut costs by planning their meals in advance.

That makes sense, because if you work out what you plan to eat over the next week, you can write a list of all the ingredients you’ll need.

And if you stick to that list in the shop, you’ll be less likely to buy items you don’t need or probably won’t use.

Skipping meals

While shopping around and meal planning are money-saving tips we’d recommend to anyone, some young people are taking more drastic steps.

For example, rising costs have prompted one in three (33%) young adults to skip meals or eat less.

That’s a real concern and highlights why it’s so important that people know other, healthier and more sustainable ways to keep costs down.

Eating less meat

Nearly one in three young people (30%) have either cut down on meat or gone vegetarian.

In the last few years, plant-based alternatives have often been more expensive than meat. 

But this is starting to change.

According to the think tank Green Alliance, meat products were cheaper per gram than plant-based versions in every category in 2024. 

However, rising meat prices now mean that many vegan alternatives are similarly priced, or even cheaper in some cases.

What else can young people do to save money in the supermarket?

As well as shopping around and meal planning, there are other practical steps to keep costs down.

Create a household budget

Keep an eye on how much money you’ve got coming in and going out, so you can prioritise your spending and know how much you can afford to spend in the shops.

Check our guide to how to create a budget to get started.

Shop smart

If money is tight, stock up on low-cost, versatile ingredients that can be used in lots of different meals, like rice, frozen veg and tinned tomatoes.

With the right items on hand, you can make all sorts of tasty, filling and healthy meals, without having to worry about breaking the bank.

Check out our list of 12 ingredients you need in your kitchen.

Understand food labels

Have you ever chucked food out just because of the date written on the packaging?

Food doesn’t suddenly become inedible at midnight on the printed date, so make sure you understand what use-by, best before and sell-by dates really mean.

Otherwise, you might end up throwing out perfectly good food and wasting money at the same time.

Batch cook

When you’re cooking a meal, make more than you need and divide the extra food into single portions.

Once they've cooled, you can then put them in the freezer, so you’ve got extra meals ready and waiting whenever you need it.

Meals like chilli and bolognese sauce freeze really well, and cooking up a bigger portion takes no extra effort.

Check our regular money saving tips

Keep checking these pages regularly for our round-ups of standout deals that can save you money in the supermarket.

We’re also sharing tips on how to make your money go further in the shops, such as:

• 5 ways to use up stale bread
• why you don’t need to throw out veg that’s about to go off
• how frozen fruit and veg can help you eat well for less

Make budget-friendly meals

We regularly share great budget-friendly recipes that will satisfy your taste buds and your wallet at the same time, such as chicken curry, homemade burger and chips, and affordable breakfast and lunch ideas.

So keep coming back for more tasty, nutritious and cheap meal ideas.