I used to love grocery shopping. Every Sunday, I would plan my weekly meals and even splurge on a few extra “fun” items while browsing the aisles. But lately, grocery shopping has become something I dread. From the moment I set foot in the store, I worry about how expensive my grocery bill will be or what is out of stock. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices increased 3 percent from 2024, and this year prices for eggs, beef, veal, sugars and sweets, and nonalcoholic beverages are expected to grow faster than their 20-year historical average rate of growth. Eggs alone are predicted to increase 24.6 percent in 2025.
Those numbers are a reflection of inflation, and if they have you worried about being able to afford your weekly meal prep, you’re not alone. A study conducted by McKinsey & Company showed that in 2025, U.S. consumers’ #1 concern was how inflation and tariffs would impact their livelihood. There’s a reason this summer’s theme is “crash-out summer.” Times are tough, but instead of letting your grocery bill add to daily stress, I’ve done the research and discovered some affordable solutions. Read on for the items I’m swapping out of my grocery cart and what I’m replacing them with instead.
1. Swap Eggs for Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese
Eggs used to be one of my main sources of protein; they’re easy to cook, have 6 grams of protein per egg, and the recipe options are endless. However, I’ve reconsidered how often I add them to my cart now and discovered that Greek Yogurt and Cottage Cheese are, dare I say, even better replacements. One serving (100 grams) of cottage cheese has 11 grams of protein, along with essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin B12. It also supports bone health and gut health due to added bacteria, which is part of the curdling process that happens when cottage cheese is made. Whether you enjoy the taste or not, there are numerous cottage cheese recipes, from pancakes to spreading it on toast to making this viral cottage cheese bowl.
Greek yogurt has similar benefits and is beneficial for bone and gut health, while also being high in protein, with 15-20 grams of protein in a 6-ounce serving. Greek yogurt with granola and berries is a great breakfast option, or you can add it to pancakes, use it in baking recipes, or add it to smoothies.
2. Swap Beef/Chicken/Turkey for Tofu or Canned Tuna
The cost of meat products has risen significantly, with beef being the most expensive, followed by chicken and turkey. While I still consume chicken and turkey occasionally, I’ve found myself branching out to find other sources of protein that are more affordable, like tofu and canned tuna. One cup of tofu has 20 grams of protein and is high in calcium, manganese, copper, and selenium. It is also a great plant-based option, and with little to no taste, there are so many recipes to try. Similarly, one can of tuna contains anywhere from 30 to 40 grams of protein depending on whether it is in water, oil, or raw. Walder Wellness has a wide variety of tuna and tofu-based recipes that are delicious, like this easy Honey Garlic Tofu one and this Tuna Noodle Casserole, both of which I make on repeat.
3. Swap Coffee for Green Tea
It still shocks me every time I order a regular latte in a coffee shop and it costs $8. The increased price of coffee has been the hardest to accept. I own a Nespresso machine and try my best to make my coffee at home, but still, it adds up, especially on the days when I crave a second cup in the afternoon. For this reason, I’ve started opting for green tea instead. Not only is a box of green tea at the grocery store more affordable, but it also has numerous nutritional benefits that coffee doesn’t. Green tea is rich in flavonoids that minimize inflammation and act as antioxidants. It also boosts brain health, lowers blood sugar (which also helps with those afternoon sugar cravings), and doesn’t give that jittery effect that coffee sometimes can produce.
4. Swap Fresh Fruit and Veggies for Frozen Fruit and Veggies
While I haven’t completely cut out fresh fruit and veggies, I try to shop seasonally because seasonal produce is cheaper and usually tastes better. So instead of only adding seasonal produce to my cart, I’ve started adding more frozen fruit and veggies. Frozen produce has a longer shelf life, and you are getting more for your money. Vegetables like broccoli, carrots, peppers, and mushrooms are great for making stir-fries or sheet-pan dinners, while frozen berries, kale, and spinach are perfect to have on hand for smoothies, breakfast scrambles, or wraps. Since they last longer, I am also saving by not adding these items to my cart every time I go grocery shopping.
5. Swap Granola and Cereals for Oats
While I’ve never been a big consumer of cereal, I do love a bowl of granola and yogurt with berries at breakfast, a luxury I’ve now removed from my cart and instead replaced with rolled oats. A bag of rolled oats has a long shelf life and is perfect for making oatmeal, overnight oats, and baked recipes. Comparatively, oats have no added sugars or saturated fats, whereas cereals and granola can contain plenty of hidden ingredients like added flavorings and oils. If you can’t give up granola, you can also try making your own, which is a more affordable and healthy option. Here is a recipe with a few different variations.
6. Swap Non-Alcoholic Beverages for Sparkling Water or DIY Mocktails
In recent years, there’s been a rise in the production of non-alcoholic beverages. We’ve seen different brands launch non-alcoholic versions of spritzes and cocktails that are delicious but ultimately quite pricey. If you want a fun non-alcoholic beverage but don’t want the added expense, try opting for a variety of sparkling waters, which remain low in price. If you want to spice it up, there are plenty of DIY mocktail recipes that only involve a few extra ingredients, like adding herbs such as mint or basil, or a splash of lemon or lime. This cranberry mocktail has two ingredients, and this cucumber ginger one looks delicious.
7. Swap Snacks and Sweets for Homemade Alternatives
As a notorious snacker, the increased cost of snacks and sweets has hit my wallet hard. It’s hard to ignore the array of chocolate or cookies (my kryptonite) when at the grocery store. I know I will never cut out snacks or sweets completely, but to cut costs, I’ve experimented with homemade versions of my favorites. This healthy version of Snickers is delicious, along with these homemade Reese’s cups. Since both these recipes can be kept in the freezer, they last for a while, and you have the added benefit of knowing you’re eating healthier versions of your favorite sugary snacks.
Calissa Kirilenko, Breathwork Facilitator & Contributing Wellness Writer
Calissa is a Wellness Writer for The Everygirl who specializes in covering subjects surrounding mental health, meditation, and self-care. She is also a Certified Breathwork Facilitator and works with clients to heal through the power of their breath.
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Source: Cosmo Politian
