Governments have to start working to reduce inflation so that people don't have to endure hardship in first place. Unfortunately they all tend to know a certain acts against inflation, none of which works like increasing interest rates. The real solution which is to reduce costs (ie to spend less) is not adopted by the governments! Which is why they print money to cover that deficit which then causes inflation.

As for what individuals can do in the face of economic hardship, it is all about money management. It is not necessarily about "eating less" as OP puts it but a general management of whatever amount of money you earn or can earn. It could be cutting extra costs (eg. a bad habit like smoking could be quitted), it could be taking up more shifts or doing an extra work to earn a little bit more money, and of course it could be investment so that you are not bag holding fiat that keeps losing value.