Last summer, Stacey Krawczyk posted an article on food and health.com called “Salmon is less expensive than hot dogs.” The article focuses on the cost of protein foods since meals usually revolve around protein, and protein foods are a high cost item in meals. Ms. Krawczyk compared the cost per gram of protein in various products. We did the same thing with prices in Ames. The prices are a little different, sometimes because of the type or brands that were used (for example, Krawczyk used kosher hot dogs). Hot dogs seem inexpensive because the cost per pound or package is less, but you have to eat 4 hot dogs to get the same protein in a 3-ounce hamburger.
If you would like to see the protein cost comparisons for Iowa, check out the Spend Smart. Eat Smart. web site. Cost of 1 gram of Protein is posted in the Shopping the Store section, under the meat aisle. We have posted our findings from lowest to highest cost per ounce.
-pointers by Peggy
food cost, resources
comparison, cost, hamburger, hot dogs, protein, salmon
School lunch is convenient and low cost. But if it is out for your child, what are your other options and how much do they cost? Amanda priced some meals in Ames, Iowa last week. See her comparison between a Lunchable® and similar options.
See last week’s blog for tips on planning a sack lunch that kids won’t trade away.
-pointers by Peggy
food cost, food preparation
comparison, low cost, Lunchable, options, sack lunch, school
What I learned about the cost of eggs is interesting. Alan, my son, had a late morning graduation party with egg casserole, fruit and coffee cakes. Almost every coffee cake recipe called for 4 eggs. At the store, I found large eggs to be $1.29 per dozen. Medium eggs cost $ .69 per dozen. A book I have indicated that 5 medium eggs are equal to 4 large eggs. By using the medium eggs, I saved 14 cents for each recipe.
-contributed by Jan Temple
P.S. For more information comparing egg size and cost, see the all about eggs section on the meat foods aisle of the SpendSmart. Eat Smart. web site.
-Peggy
food cost, food preparation
comparison, conversion, cost, eggs
