Eating Well on a Budget

Healthy habits don’t have to break the bank

Project Sponsors•USDA project funded through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

•School District of Philadelphia

•Department of Nutrition Sciences, Drexel University

Eat.Right.Now Nutrition Education Program

• Mission: to provide nutrition education to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance-eligible adults and children in the Philadelphia community

• Official Nutrition Education Program of the School District of Philadelphia

• Nutrition activities provided by trained nutrition educators

RANK THE FOOD ITEMS FROM MOST TO LEAST EXPENSIVE

$3.00 $1.00$1.75

Why is a healthy diet important?

• Better school performance• Developmental Growth• Weight management• Reduced risk of chronic

disease• Reduced risk of early

mortality

Food Choices

• Food preference or Taste• Health• Individual or family characteristics• Cultural background• Social factors• Personal circumstances• Media influences• Resources

Common Barriers to Healthy Eating

• Time• Availability• Confusing Information• Food Preferences• Stress/Emotional Eating• Money

You don’t have to break the bank

Benefits of Eating at Home

• Time with family• Know what you’re

eating• Reduced temptation• Portion control• Educational

opportunities• Save $$

Money-Saving Strategies• Before you shop

– Plan your meals for the week– Review grocery ads to find weekly

specials– Clip coupons for healthy foods– Take inventory of the food already

in your cupboard– Create a list– Eat: don’t shop hungry– Try to shop without the kids

Money-Saving Strategies• At the store

– Sign up for a loyalty card– Buy store brands– Look at unit prices– Buy in-season– Buy in bulk– Read food labels– Stock up on healthy sales– Stick to the list

BRAND AND FOOD NAME HERE

Comparing Labels

Both cereals are on sale for $2.00 per box. Which would you choose?

Comparing LabelsWhich cereal has a larger

serving size?

Which box has more cereal?

Which has fewer calories per serving?

Fewer grams of fat?

Less sodium?

Less sugar?SAME

More vitamins and minerals?

Money-Saving Strategies• At home

– Package snacks yourself

– Drink water– Control portions– Freeze leftovers– Cook in batches

QUESTIONS????