A large majority of Americans now consider eating out at fast food restaurants a luxury and believe that the government should take action to regulate food prices.

The majority of Americans (62%) say they are eating less fast food due to rising prices and

78 per cent of consumers view fast food as a luxury because it has become increasingly expensive.

a recent poll by Lending Tree reveals.

When asked about their go-to for an easy, inexpensive meal, 56 per cent of the respondents cite making food at home.

Another survey has found that

a majority of Americans believe the US government should take action to regulate food prices.

In a May 13 survey from Data for Progress, a left-leaning polling firm, 69 per cent of respondents — including a majority of Democrats and Republicans — said the government “should do more to regulate grocery stores that raise prices to maximize profits”, and only a quarter of the respondents said the government should not take action.

A slightly larger share of respondents, 71 per cent, said the government should “do more to regulate corporate food producers that raise prices to maximize profits”. Additionally, 69 per cent of the respondents said they would support the government establishing a task force to probe food producers and grocery stores that increase prices to boost profits.

As a result of rising prices, nearly two-thirds of Americans struggle to afford groceries, according to a December survey from Swiftly, a retail tech company.