4 Publix Items Retirees Should Avoid, Plus the 8 Best Items To Own on Social Security

Grocery shopping at Publix looks a bit different in retirement. Some of their inventory can be on the pricey side, making it tough to stay on budget if you’re on a fixed income. 

Fortunately, it’s possible to save money and snag some of the supermarket chain’s most beloved staples. We rounded up four items retirees should avoid and eight of the best Publix buys on Social Security.

Retirees on fixed incomes can also check out what to buy and skip at Dollar Tree.

• Price: $12.19

As delicious as Publix fried chicken is, retirees need to steer clear of it for health and wellness purposes. Consuming fried foods, especially on a daily basis, is linked to higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

• Price: $6.63

Publix’s blueberries have received backlash from Reddit shoppers, who say the quality of this fresh produce has declined while the cost remains too high. 

An 11-ounce container of blueberries retails around $6.63. Meanwhile, Target’s blueberries come well-reviewed at $4.49 for 11.2 ounces.

• Price: $7.99

For the amount of deviled eggs you get on this mini platter, some retirees may find it’s more cost-effective to buy the ingredients separately and make their own at home.

• Price: $8.85

Dollar Tree has Publix beat when it comes to offering up a wide selection of cheap Hallmark greeting cards. 

Check in with your nearest location to find out if they carry Expressions from Hallmark cards, which are priced at $1.25 each, or Heartline Hallmark cards where you can buy two cards for just $1.

• Price: $3.65

We have good news if you’ve never tried Publix’s old-fashioned lemonade before. This tasty drink is a fan favorite with shoppers and available in half-gallon sizing for under $4. 

If you become an instant fan and want more, you can buy it by the gallon for $4.41.

• Price: $5.19

You can’t go wrong shopping for freshly baked bread in Publix’s bakery. Pick up a loaf of deli-style seeded rye bread, which comes sliced and competitively priced compared to other leading supermarkets.

• Price: $3.65

Where else but Publix can you find one dozen jumbo eggs for less than $4? Retirees only pay 30 cents per egg, making this purchase an incredible bargain to add to weekly grocery lists.

• Price: $2.97

How much cheaper is it to buy Publix’s toasted oats cereal compared to major brands like Cheerios? A 12-ounce box of Cheerios retails for $7.19 at Publix which costs $4 more than the Publix dupe.

• Price: $2.97

Publix’s line of steam-in-bag frozen vegetables are always worth adding to your cart. 

Take the California blend, for example. Retirees get a medley of broccoli, carrots and cauliflower to cook up and add to their favorite dishes for $3 or less. And since these veggies come frozen, any leftovers in the bag can be saved for later in your freezer.

• Price: $8.85

Out of the many roasted chickens at the Publix deli, regular shoppers tend to gravitate towards the mojo oven flavor. This chicken is delicious enough to enjoy on its own or ripped up and added into soup or chicken pot pie.

• Price: $1.67

A whole pound of lentils for less than $2? Now that’s a bargain, especially on a tight budget. Grab a bag to store in your pantry and add to all sorts of recipes from tacos to soups for an added protein boost.

• Price: $7.19

We’ve shared some of the best practical buys for fixed incomes, but what if you want to splurge on something sweet? A full key lime pie might be too much for retirees, but a mini key lime pie is portioned out just right and made fresh in Publix’s bakery.

Editor’s note: Prices and availability are accurate as of Jan. 27, 2026, and are subject to change.