Shopping for Food

Shopping for Food

Food Expenses • Families typically spend about 13% of their income on food • Ways families can save on these expenses include: • Coupons • Sales • Store or generic brands • Use low cost main dishes • Compare prices of different available forms of food

Comparing Unit Prices • Unit price—the price per ounce, pound, or other unit of measure • Makes it easier to determine the best deal when shopping • Example: You are shopping for potato chips. Here are your choices: • A—18 ounces for $1.49 • B—22 ounces for $1.58 • C—24 ounces for $1.64

To determine the price per ounce, divide the total price by the number of ounces: • 1.49/18=.082 • A—18 ounces for $1.49= $.082 per ounce • B—22 ounces for $1.58= $.071 per ounce • C—24 ounces for $1.64= $.068 per ounce

Planning for shopping • Make a list—check the staples, or items that you will need and use regularly • Consider where to shop—what stores have what you need at the prices you want? • Consider when to shop—stores are crowded during the evening and the weekends

Reading food labels • Basic label information that is required includes: • Name of the food • Amount of food, by weight or volume • Name and address of manufacturer, packer or distributor • Ingredients listed in order by weight

Nutrition Facts • Food packages are required to have a nutrition label with the following information: • Calories per serving • Calories from fat • Conversion guide • Serving size • Number of servings • Amounts in grams for certain nutrients • Percent daily value • Explanation of daily values

Daily Values • Can seem a little confusing!! The amount of the nutrient is represented in a percentage as well as in grams • It is sometimes difficult to know if 4 grams of something is a lot, but easier to tell if 28% is a lot • For instance, if the food has 28% of your DV of fat, and you know your entire diet for a day should include about 30% fat, you are getting almost the full day’s requirement in that one food! That is a lot!!

More information on food labels • Label terms— • Free—the food must contain only a trace amount of that nutrient • High—one serving must provide at least 20% daily value for that nutrient • Reduced or less—the food must contain 25% less of the specified nutrient than a similar food

More information on labels • Product dating— • Sell by date—the last day a product may be sold, such as dairy products • Use by date—the last day a product is considered fresh—another way to say this is “best by” • Expiration date—the last date a product should be eaten • Pack date—the date the food was packaged, such as for meats

Time for a quiz!! • You are bored on a Wednesday afternoon, so you decide to see what is in your cabinets at home. You find some interesting food labels. Let’s see what you can learn by reading them. Number your paper from 1 to 10.

Question 1: • What is the size of one serving of this product?

What is the size of one serving of this product? 1 CUP Question 1

Question 2: • Consuming one serving of this food would mean you ate how many grams of fat?

Consuming one serving of this food would mean you ate how many grams of fat? 13 GRAMS Question 2

Question 3: • How many servings are in one entire container of this product?

How many servings are in one entire container of this product? 2 SERVINGS Question 3:

Question 4 • How many calories would be in one serving?

How many calories would be in one serving? 260 CALORIES Question 4

Question 5: • Study this label and write down the total number of grams of sugars you would consume if you ate 2 servings.

Study this label and write down the total number of grams of sugars you would consume if you ate 2 servings. 10 GRAMS Question 5:

Question 6 • Let’s say you were really hungry and ate the entire package (NOT RECOMMENDED!). • How many calories would you consume?

Let’s say you were really hungry and ate the entire package (NOT RECOMMENDED!). How many calories would you consume? 520 CALORIES Question 6

Question 7: • After reading this food label, you decide it is a good source of which nutrient?

After reading this food label, you decide it is a good source of which nutrient? FAT (20%) CALCIUM (15%) SODIUM (28%) SATURATED FAT (25%) REMEMBER THAT CALCIUM IS REALLY THE ONLY ONE ON THE LIST THAT PEOPLE TEND TO NEED MORE OF THAN THEY CONSUME Question 7:

Question 8 • This product appears to be low in Vitamin A. You know how important Vitamin A is, but you still want to include the labeled food in your diet. What is another food you could eat with this food to help get more Vitamin A?

This product appears to be low in Vitamin A. You know how important Vitamin A is, but you still want to include the labeled food in your diet. What is another food you could eat with this food to help get more Vitamin A? Some possible answers could include carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, fortified milk, liver Question 8

Question 9 • Name a nutrient which is present in a greater amount than iron in this product.

Name a nutrient which is present in a greater amount than iron in this product. FAT SATURATED FAT SODIUM CARBOHYDRATES SUGAR PROTEIN CALCIUM Question 9

Question 10 • Name a nutrient that is present in a smaller amount than Vitamin C in this food.

Name a nutrient that is present in a smaller amount than Vitamin C in this food. FIBER Question 10

Shopping for Food