Rising cost-of-living pressures have taken a toll on the Australian diet, according to research commissioned by food tracking app MyFitnessPal.
The findings have revealed that Australians are “overwhelmingly” turning to cheaper alternatives to increase their protein.
About 33 per cent of respondents state they were less likely to reach for protein shakes or bars while 36 per cent said they were less likely to reach for red meat.
For additional proteins, chicken (28 per cent) and dairy (22 per cent) have emerged as the top food groups consumers turn to get their requirements met.
“With prices of beef surging 14 per cent in a year between 2021 and 2022, it is no surprise to see Australians opting to eat less red meat,” said Luke Hines, fitness coach and ambassador for MyFitnessPal.
“While inflation may have made Australians rethink what they put in their shopping trolley, when it comes to getting the right nutrients, knowledge is power.”
Hines added there are lower-cost alternatives to red meat, such as legumes, eggs and tofu which are packed with carbs and can be incorporated into diets.
