Here's what Aussies are buying less of as cost-of-living crisis bites

Aussies are increasingly cutting back on buying meat, seafood and alcohol amid the rising cost-of-living crisis, new research has found.

Almost three in four people have changed their eating habits in the past 12 months due to rising costs, according to a Finder study.

Close to half of Aussies - 47 per cent - have reduced the amount of takeaway and fast food they buy, while 35 per cent have resorted to buying less meat and seafood, the study results suggest.

READ MORE: Pension, welfare payments boosted from today

Similarly, 32 per cent have decided to cut back on alcohol.

The cost of most foods from grocery stores have significantly increased over the past years according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Meat and seafood is 8 per cent more expensive than a year ago, while dairy products are 15 per cent more expensive.

The average Australian household spent $185 a week on groceries in February, up $37 a week compared to February 2022, according to Finder's Cost of Living Report 2023

Graham Cooke, Finder's head of consumer research, said households are looking for ways to save on their weekly shop.

"Eating on the cheap could be here to stay as households battle with the rising cost of living," head

"For some it's a case of making changes or going hungry."

He has advised shoppers to investigate growing their own fruit and vegetables, compare different supermarket prices, look at farmers markets and to buy in bulk when items go on sale.

The Finder survey asked 1054 respondents about their shopping habits in January.

READ MORE: The government cost-of-living payments everyone needs to know about

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.