More than one million people living in Scotland have cut back on ordering takeaways, eating out and buying groceries.
The change in spending habits has been caused by rising energy bills, a study by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) found.
The charity’s analysis of a YouGov poll, which looked at 1,002 adults living north of the border, showed 66% - equivalent to 1.4 million people if applied to the entire Scottish population - have cut back on eating or drinking out.
More than half (57%) were found to have cut back on ordering a takeaway and an estimated 61% have cut back on groceries.
A total of 51% of adults were also found to be limiting costs by cooking less with gas or electric appliances.
CAS social justice spokesperson David Hilferty said: “The cost of living crisis is seeing people having to make increasingly difficult household spending decisions, and we see that lots of people are cutting back on food in various ways because of rising energy bills.
“For many people, that might mean skipping a takeaway or a meal in a restaurant, but for others it will be a straight choice between heating and eating.
“It is worth understanding that food inflation is another major factor of the cost-of-living crisis, so even if people are buying less food, they are likely paying more to do so.
“This is especially the case for those on the lowest incomes.”
CAS is running the campaign Big Energy Saving Winter, which encourages people to seek advice if they are worried about the cost of living and energy bills this winter.
Previous data from the organisation found that one in 10 cost-of-living, energy-related cases across its network also required food insecurity advice.
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
