Quick Check Food Facts. B.E.S. Editorial Staff
a running grocery list in a central location where family members can add items as they are needed. Organize your list in categories based on the way you travel through the supermarket.
2. Comparison Shop
Compare the prices of similar items. Most shelf tags have a total price and a price per unit that provides an easy way to compare apples to apples. Should you buy apples in a 3-pound bag for $4.99 or individual apples that are $0.99 each? Scan supermarket ads, circulars, and the Internet for specials and coupons. Use coupons only for foods that are on your list.
3. Start on the Perimeter
Most fresh foods are on the perimeter of the supermarket—fresh fruits and vegetables; meats, poultry, and fish; dairy products; and the bakery. This is where you can be assured of natural nutrients without many preservatives or artificial ingredients. Some fresh items are in the interior—grains, rice, flours, and nuts. Make the majority of your purchases from the perimeter before shopping the aisles.
4. Buy Seasonally and Locally
Seasonal and locally grown products are usually cheaper and healthier. They maintain more nutrients because they have not travelled as far from picking to store. They are cheaper because there are more available. Stay attuned to the season so that you can purchase fruits and vegetables that are the most economical, the freshest, and the cheapest. When produce is not in season, buy canned or frozen without sauces and added salt.
5. Buy in Bulk
Buying foods in bulk can often save you money, but only if you can use the larger amount. Packaging costs money, so the less package the more you save. For instance, steel-cut oats in bulk are $0.89 a pound, while a tin runs $3.35 a pound. Other items you can save on by buying in bulk are grains, lentils, dried beans, and rice. Check out the unit price to see how much you save by buying the larger size.
6. Read Nutrition Facts Labels and Ingredients Lists
The front of a package may make claims like “Healthy,” “Natural,” and “Contains” but the back or side of the package will give you the real scoop. Check out the Nutrition Facts Box that gives you the amount of individual nutrients. Compare these nutrients between products to see which is better. Read the ingredients list to check for partially hydrogenated fats, which mean “trans fats” and added sugars.
7. Understand Health and Nutrition Claims
You’ll find a variety of health and nutrition claims on labels. These can be a help to those who need to find foods that are heart healthy or low in sodium, but be sure to check the Nutrition Facts numbers to make sure the food fits into your food plan.
8. Store Brands vs. National Brands
It used to be that store brands were cheaper and lower quality versions of national brands. Now store brands are quality lines of products that can save you money. Statistics say that store brands can save 30% over nationally branded products. In some supermarkets, store brands account for as much as 35% of total sales. Check out the store brands and compare them to their national counterparts.
What Does “Healthy” Mean?
Food labeling allows manufacturers to make a “healthy” claim on a food or beverage label if it meets specific nutrient criteria. The basic requirements are:
• Low in fat: 3 g or less or 30% or less fat calories
• Low in sodium: 140 mg or less except for meal-type products (6 oz or more) that require 360 mg for individual foods and 480 mg for meal-type foods
• 10% or more of at least one of the following:
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Calcium
• Protein
• Fiber
How to Use This Work
This work can help you plan your menus and make a shopping list.
• Read the MyPlate recommendations for each food category for number of servings and serving sizes. The servings given are for an adult consuming 2000 calories per day. For a personalized food plan based on your age, sex, weight, and activity level, go to www.choosemyplate.gov.
• Make your shopping list by multiplying the number of people in your family by the recommended number of servings.
• Check the list of foods in each category provided in this work and choose a variety of items.
• Compare nutrients within categories for the best food choices for positive nutrients such as protein, fiber, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Also check nutrients for foods with negative nutrients such as total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
• Read the Shopping Tips and Shopping List Essentials for each category and include these suggestions into your meal planning and shopping list.
• Highlight the foods that are presently in your food plan and use a different color highlighter for the foods you want to try. Make a goal to try a new food each week. Remember that variety is important for healthy eating.
• Take this with you to the supermarket for a quick check on the nutrients in foods that may not have nutrition facts—fruits, vegetables, bulk items, meat, poultry, and fish.
Using Nutrition Facts
MyPlate Key Messages
Take action on the Dietary Guidelines by making changes in these three areas. Choose steps that work for you and start today.
Balancing Calories
• Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• Avoid oversized portions.
Foods to Increase
• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains.
Foods to Reduce
• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals—and choose foods with lower numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
Go to ChooseMyPlate.gov for a personalized food plan based on your age, sex, weight, and activity level. Find food lists and specific serving size photos.
Why Eat Grains?
Grains are important sources of many nutrients, including dietary fiber, several B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate), and minerals (iron, magnesium, and selenium). Eating whole grains as part of a healthy diet may reduce the risk of heart disease and help with weight management. Additionally, consuming foods containing fiber, such as whole grains, may reduce constipation and diverticulitis. B vitamins play a role in metabolism and are essential for a healthy nervous system. Folate (folic acid), a B vitamin, is important before and during pregnancy because it helps prevent birth defects.
Daily Goal
6 one-ounce servings for an adult on a 2000-calorie diet
48 grams of whole grains
One-ounce