Parade magazine has published its annual survey of "What America Eats," and while few of the statistics would surprise meat processors, the trends are worth noting.

Nearly two-thirds (59 percent) of the 531 respondents to the online survey said they have cut back on buying meat because of rising costs; often, they're substituting chicken.

Overall, more than 80 percent said they have changed their shopping habits because of sticker shock. Besides buying less meat, consumers said they are cooking more meals from scratch and buying food in bulk.

More consumers are shopping with coupons. And a healthy minority of the total panel surveyed use the expiration dates on the package as more or less a suggestion: A third said they were willing to eat anything that looks and smells all right regardless of the expiration date.

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