Americans Reducing Mileage on Cars, Not Stomachs

Many Americans are cutting back on gas due to spiking prices, but few are eating less in response to similarly soaring food costs, a poll finds. Nearly half of respondents said they were driving less, but only 8% said they were eating less. "People have more control over gasoline. They are driving less and driving smarter," pollster John Zogby tells Reuters.

"People have been saying that once prices hit $4, they are going to adjust their lifestyles," says Zogby. Both higher gas prices and more expensive food could help business at big-box retailers like Wal-Mart, Reuters reports, which have lower prices and can be a one-stop shop for consumers cutting back on gas. (More consumer prices stories.)