Buying Food on a Budget

Maryland 4-H Health Ambassadors

Evelyn BurchAdam EdwardsGabrielle Parker

How to Teach Unit Pricing

Evelyn Burch

How to teach comparison of unit prices

Question: What is the unit price?

Answer: The unit price is the amount you’re paying for each “unit” (ounce, pound, etc.) of the product you’re buying. You could also call it the “true price of the product.”

Question: Why is it important to know the unit price of an item?

Answer: The unit price gives you a standard unit to compare multiple products and make the most budget conscious buying choice

Understanding Unit Pricing

What it looks like

Comparing unit prices of the same product

What is Unit Pricing?, November 18, 2013by Gina Petracca, Graduate Nutrition Student

Comparing Unit PriceRecap

Unit price is a powerful informational tool which helps shoppers make informed decisions when purchasing food. It makes you aware of the true cost of a product and allows easy comparison of similar items.

What is Unit Pricing?, November 18, 2013by Gina Petracca, Graduate Nutrition Student

Give it a try

ConsumerReports.org, Unit prices can help you save on groceries, Don't assume the larger package always is the best value, Published: August 14, 2013 10:45 AM

What if the unit price isn’t listed?

Find the listed price of the item you want to check

Use the following formula---

Cost of Item / Quantity = Unit Price

Example

18 oz. of peanut butter is $2.79

$2.79 divided by 18 = $0.16 per ounce

A 15 oz. box of cereal costs $3.95. What is the unit price? (Price per ounce)

Give it a Try

Tips for Teaching Unit Pricing

Use actual cans or packages of food with the price tags to allow participants to practice unit pricing skills in a hands on way.

Compare store brands to name brands, see if there’s a difference.

See if bigger/bulk is really cheaper, it usually is, but not always!

If units are different (one item is in pounds, another in ounces), make sure that participants notice the difference. (Change 1 pound to 16 ounces etc.)

Fat and Sugar Content

Reading a Nutrition Label

Adam Edwards

How to teach about fat content

Look for Total Fat in grams (9 grams)

Divide the Total Fat by 4 to see how many teaspoons of fat are being consumed

We find that approximately 2.25 or 2 ¼ teaspoons of fat are consumed in one serving of this brand of chocolate milk

Chocolate Milk

How to teach about sugar content

Look on label for Sugars in grams (21 grams)

Divide Sugars by 4 to see how many teaspoons of sugar are being consumed

We find that approximately 5.25 or 5 ¼ teaspoons of sugar are being consumed in one serving of chocolate milk

Chocolate Milk

Give it a try!

Calculate the sugar content in teaspoons in this serving of soda

44/4=?

Soda

Notes

When teaching others about purchasing healthy food, show them how to calculate the fat and sugar content

Draw attention to other important nutrition information such as the calories per serving, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates and protein

Use the visual aid of showing fat and sugar content in the more tangible form of teaspoons or sugar cubes

Easy RecipesGabrielle Parker

INGREDIENTS•1 can (10 oz. each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained•1 package (16 oz. each) VELVEETA®, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine undrained tomatoes and Velveeta in 1-1/2-quart microwave-safe dish; cover. Microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or just until Velveeta melts, stirring after 3 minutes. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until Velveeta is melted completely and mixture is blended, stirring frequently.

2. Remove from microwave; stir until mixture is blended.3. Serve warm as a dip with tortilla chips, crackers or cut-

up fresh vegetables.

Find more like this at www.ro-tel.com

Ro*Tel® Famous Queso Dip Amount per Serving Calories 71        

Total Fat 5 gram 8% Saturated fat 3 gram 16% Cholesterol 18 mg 6% Sodium 379 mg 16% Carbohydrate 3 gram 1% Dietary fiber 0 gram 0% Sugars % Protein 4 gram 8% Vitamin A   6% Vitamin C   1% Calcium   11% Iron   0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Find more like this at www.ro-tel.com

INGREDIENTS•1 can (15 oz each) Ranch Style® Black Beans, drained, rinsed•1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained•1/2 cup whole kernel corn, frozen or canned•1/4 cup finely chopped red onion•1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro•1 tablespoon lime juice•1/4 teaspoon ground cumin•Tortilla chips, tacos or burritos, optionalDIRECTIONS1.Stir together beans, drained tomatoes, corn, onion, cilantro, lime juice and cumin in medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.2.Serve with tortilla chips, tacos or burritos, if desired.

NUTRITION INFORMATIONCalories: 32 Serving Size: 12 servings (1/4 cup each)

Find more like this at www.ro-tel.com

Spicy Black Bean SalsaAmount per Serving

Calories 32 Total Fat 0 gram 0%Saturated fat 0 gram 0%Cholesterol 0 mg 0%Sodium 129 mg 5%Carbohydrate 6 gram 2%Dietary fiber 2 gram 7%Sugars %Protein 2 gram 3%Vitamin A 3%Vitamin C 4%Calcium 1%Iron 3%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Find more like this at www.ro-tel.com

INGREDIENTS

One Mango - pit & skin removed1/2 cup of plain lowfat or nonfat yogurt1 Tablespoon honey1/2 cup of water or 1 cup of ice

Directions

Combine cut up mango, yogurt, honey and water (or ice) in a blender. Blend until smooth. Makes 2 servings

Number of Servings: 2Find more like this at

www.sparkrecipes.com

Amount Per ServingCalories 137.8   

Total Fat 1.2 g       Saturated Fat 0.7 g       Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g       Monounsaturated Fat 0.4 g   Cholesterol 3.7 mg   Sodium 46.5 mg   Potassium 310.2 mg   Total Carbohydrate 30.6 g      Dietary Fiber 1.9 g       Sugars 19.6 g   Protein 3.8 g

Find more like this at www.sparkrecipes.com

Steps to buy healthy food on a budget

Know how to read nutrition labels- buy the healthiest option for the best buy.

Write a grocery list before visiting the store- buy no more than you need.

Buy produce in season. It costs less and tastes better!

Choose canned foods that are low in sodium, fat, and sugar.

Choose low fat dairy products to reduce fat and calorie intake.

Compare unit prices to find the best bargain

Excerpt from “Shopping for healthy foods” CookingMatters.org

Thanks for Coming!