Egg prices have been steadily climbing for months, taking a toll on US shoppers. Here's what your next veggie omelet may cost you more than you expect.
Easter eggs may have made a bigger dent in your budget than you expected last week because chicken egg prices are steadily spiking. Grocery prices have been rising due to reasons including climate change and a volatile economy but this particular inflationary situation has a specific villain at its core: bird flu.
Bird Flu and Price Hikes
CNN reports that bird flu is steadily decimating the US poultry population. Bird flu is a super contagious respiratory disease that spreads through chicken flocks like wildfire. Tragically, farms have had to cull millions of egg and poultry birds to stop the spread. This means fewer eggs are being produced. When supply goes down vs. an ever-increasing demand, basic economics dictate that prices inflate. Chicken producers are trying to stem the problem by moving production to uninfected farms, but it's still being determined if that'll be enough to stop increasing the price of your poached eggs and hollandaise at brunch in the short term.
What Can You Do?
So, what can you do as a budget-minded breakfast enthusiast? Don't despair! Here are some ideas:
Embrace the Eggless: Eggs are delicious, but they aren't irreplaceable in your diet. Try some alternatives for breakfast till the prices dip back down to reasonable levels. Some great sources of breakfast nutrition outside of eggs include yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, fresh fruit, and avocados. Get creative. No one says you can't have a tuna fish sando or hummus for breakfast. Don't look at it as self-deprivation. Look at it as diversifying your diet which nutrition experts say is a good practice.
Stock Up When Prices Dip: If you see a good deal at the grocer, buy an extra carton. Just be sure to check the expiration dates and store them appropriately.
Get Fancy with Smaller Portions: Who says an omelet needs to be huge? Make a mini-me version and add some fresh high-fiber veggies to keep you full. Add some carbs. A bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel will fill you up better than two eggs on their lonesome. Egg salad is also a great way to stretch eggs out by adding more ingredients to the mix.
Remember, a little creativity can go a long way, especially when it comes to keeping your breakfast game affordable.
