Canadians are increasingly moving away from the omnivorous diet, a shift that may be driven by persistently high food prices, according to a new report from Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab. The spring 2026 edition of the Canadian Food Sentiment Index reveals that affordability now dominates food choices for 45.5% of respondents, far outweighing nutrition and taste considerations.
Affordability Takes Center Stage
Food remains the top household concern in Canada, surpassing utilities (29.9%) and housing (22.4%). After peaking at 84.1% in fall 2024 and dipping to 79.7% in spring 2025, 81.1% of Canadians now identify food as the expense that increased most in the past year. The report highlights that practices like seeking sales and discounts have become routine as consumers strategize to manage rising costs.
Dietary Shifts and Beef Avoidance
The cost of food appears to be reshaping dietary patterns. The omnivorous diet is notably declining, with 10% of Canadians reporting they no longer purchase beef. This trend reflects a broader adaptation to inflationary pressures, as households prioritize value over variety.
Moderating Inflation but Persistent Concerns
Perceived food price inflation is showing signs of easing. The largest share of respondents (31%) believes food prices have risen by 5-7% over the past year, while fewer Canadians (29.7%) report extreme increases of over 10%. Expectations for the next year have also stabilized, with 5-7% being the most common anticipated increase (30.7%). The authors describe this as "cautious optimism."
Expert Insights
Stacey Taylor, assistant professor at Cape Breton University and coauthor of the report, notes, "We're really in a tight corner. People are trying to be very conscious about where their spending goes." Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab, adds, "People feel that prices are going up, but it's not as dramatic. It feels like food price increases are a bit of a new normal." However, Canada still leads the G7 in food inflation for the fourth consecutive month, with March's grocery inflation at 4.4%.
Monthly Spending Increases
Canadians report spending $22.96 more on food per month compared to last year, rising from $497 to $519.96—a 4.6% increase. While at-home food spending has steadily risen, dining out and takeout spending remains stable, with the largest group (32.4%) spending $50 or less monthly on food away from home. This suggests Canadians are tightening budgets for groceries while keeping restaurant spending in check.
The report underscores that despite some stabilization, affordability pressures continue to reshape Canadian eating habits, with potential long-term implications for diet and health.
