Gen Z can’t afford healthy groceries—so many college students are skipping meals altogether or eating less to pay the bills

Gen Z college students are struggling to afford healthy food, leading some to skip meals or eat less in order to pay for bills, rent, and tuition. A survey of 1,000 students found that 85% wish they ate healthier but only 42% currently do so, with 58% claiming healthier groceries would be their top expense if money wasn't an issue.

Experts say that healthier food is more expensive and students are feeling the financial strain, with grocery prices rising 2.2% in August alone. As a result, many students are cutting back on food purchases or skipping meals to make ends meet. This is a heavy burden for a generation already facing mounting tuition costs, with sophomores and above spending an average of $136.10 per week on food and snacks outside of school meal plans.

The financial pressures are changing students' shopping habits, with 47% comparing prices more often and 46% opting for cheaper brands, and over a quarter (27%) specifically cutting back on healthy foods. The trade-offs have an emotional cost as well, with some students reporting frustration and guilt over buying the cheapest option instead of the healthiest.

As a result, Gen Z students are eating less regularly, with only 24% of surveyed students regularly eating three meals a day during the school year, and many instead opting for snacks or meal replacements due to financial stress.