1. Maryland 4-H Health Ambassadors
Buying Food on a Budget
Maryland 4-H Health Ambassadors
Evelyn Burch
Adam Edwards
Gabrielle Parker

2. How to Teach Unit Pricing
Evelyn Burch

3. 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

4. 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

5. Comparing Unit Price Recap
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

6. 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, :45 AM

7. 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

8. Example Give it a Try 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

9. 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.)

10. Fat and Sugar Content Reading a Nutrition Label
Adam Edwards

11. 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

12. 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

13. Give it a try!
Calculate the sugar content in teaspoons in this serving of soda 44/4=?
Soda

14. 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

15. Easy Recipes
Gabrielle Parker

16. 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
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.
Remove from microwave; stir until mixture is blended.
Serve warm as a dip with tortilla chips, crackers or cut-up fresh vegetables.
Find more like this at

17. 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 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
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18. 1 can (15 oz each) Ranch Style® Black Beans, drained, rinsed
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, optional
DIRECTIONS
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.
Serve with tortilla chips, tacos or burritos, if desired.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Calories: 32 Serving Size: 12 servings (1/4 cup each)
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19. *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Spicy Black Bean Salsa
Amount per Serving
Calories 32
Total Fat 0 gram 0%
Saturated fat 0 gram 0%
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium mg 5%
Carbohydrate 6 gram 2%
Dietary fiber 2 gram 7%
Sugars %
Protein 2 gram 3%
Vitamin A %
Vitamin C %
Calcium %
Iron %
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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20. Find more like this at www.sparkrecipes.com INGREDIENTS
One Mango - pit & skin removed 1/2 cup of plain lowfat or nonfat yogurt 1 Tablespoon honey 1/2 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: 2
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21. Amount Per Serving
Calories   
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  mg   
Potassium  mg   
Total Carbohydrate 30.6 g      
Dietary Fiber 1.9 g       
Sugars  g   
Protein  g
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22. 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

23. Thanks for Coming!