Edward West, 36, of Priory Road, admitted stealing the two gammon joints and rib-eye steak on July 16, before Hastings' magistrates.
The court heard that he concealed the meat and left the store, before being stopped outside.
Aiden Harvey, mitigating, told the court that West was on licence after being released from prison in December 2007, and stole the meat because he was left hungry after a delay getting his benefits.
Magistrates jailed West for seven days.

A St Leonards man was remanded in custody to stand trial after admitting he breached his bail.
District Judge Roger Ede, sitting in Hastings heard that Brian Rosewell, 33, of Turnberry Close, had taken his young son to hospital and was not back in time for his 7pm- 7.30am curfew on July 16.
Rosewell was remanded in custody to July 25 when he will stand trial for two counts of robbery, fraud and possessing a class A drug.

Julia Anita Gage denied criminal damage and breaching her ASBO before magistrates this week.
Gage, 45, of Pevensey Road, St Leonards, will stand trial for the damage charge - breaking two window pains, and for the ASBO breach by causing alarm or distress, dating back to July 6.
Gage was bailed to return to court on September 1 for the case to be formally committed to Lewes Crown Court for trial.

An Etchingham man appeared in court this week to face four drugs charges, and assault-by-beating, and a theft.
Leigh David Paterson, 28, of Hornbeam, Burwash, appeared before magistrates in hastings where he pleaded not guilty to assaulting John Stuart, and stealing from him on June 1, and did not enter a plea to possessing cannabis and cocaine, supplying cocaine to Leanne Anderson and supplying cocaine to Samantha Morton on February 24.
Paterson was bailed on the condition he does not contact witnesses, and does not go to Eversfield Mews North, St Leonards, to appear on September 1 for the case to be formally committed to Lewes Crown Court.